Lancaster County is known for farmland, covered bridges and small towns, but there are plenty of places to trade the back roads for hiking trails. You can walk through quiet woods near Lancaster and Lititz, explore the forested Furnace Hills in the north, or head south for rocky trails and big views over the Susquehanna River.
This post includes nine hiking areas divided into three parts of the county. I created one AllTrails map with a sample hike at each location—not because those are the only routes worth taking, but to give you a visual starting point. The sample hikes are color coded lime for northern Lancaster County, teal for central Lancaster County and purple for the Susquehanna River/southwest.
Explore my Lancaster County hiking map: Lancaster County Hiking – AllTrails Custom Map
Think of the mapped routes as examples, not prescriptions. All of these parks and preserves have multiple trails, access points or connecting routes. That makes it easy for you to plan your perfect day hike.
Most of the loops on the map are hikes I have completed with my four Lancaster-based grandkids. Depending on the day, we shorten a hike, add another trail or make the hike just one part of a bigger adventure.
One of our favorite combinations is a visit to the Wolf Sanctuary of PA followed by a picnic and walk along Speedwell Forge Lake. Another is a hike through Landis Woods, then a drive into Lititz for a picnic at Lititz Springs Park, feeding the ducks and a freshly baked Julius Sturgis soft pretzel for the ride home. Noel Dorwart makes it easy to pair a walk with playground time. Other days, especially along the Susquehanna, the hike itself is the adventure.
Northern Lancaster County – Furnace Hills & Wildlife
The northern part of Lancaster County takes you into the Furnace Hills, where larger natural areas and extensive trail systems offer plenty of room to explore. These three hiking areas range from an easy walk along Speedwell Forge Lake to wildlife trails at Middle Creek and more rugged routes through the hills.
Speedwell Forge County Park & Lake
Address & Parking: Speedwell Forge Road near Lititz. Several small parking areas around the park and lake provide access to different trails, including the Conestoga Trail along the lake.
Overview: Speedwell Forge offers several ways to hike through this corner of the Furnace Hills. Speedwell Forge County Park protects 415 acres of woods, wetlands, fields and meadow habitat, with its own hiking trails. Nearby, the orange-blazed Conestoga Trail follows the western shore of Speedwell Forge Lake before continuing along Hammer Creek.
That lakeside section of the Conestoga Trail is one of my favorite options here and can easily become part of a shorter family walk or a longer hike.
Amenities: Amenities depend on where you begin your hike. The county park itself is undeveloped with limited facilities. Elsewhere around Speedwell Forge Lake are parking areas, seasonal portable restrooms and a picnic pavilion with tables. I would not count on restrooms or drinking water at your particular trailhead.
Plan Your Hike:
- Lancaster County – Speedwell Forge County Park & Trail Map
- Lancaster Hiking Club – Conestoga Trail System – Map 8
- PA Fish & Boat Commission – Speedwell Forge Lake
Why It’s a Gem: Variety. You can hike through the woods of the county park or follow the Conestoga Trail beside the lake. We also like Speedwell Forge because a hike can easily become part of a bigger family outing with a picnic by the lake, a visit to the nearby Wolf Sanctuary of PA or a special lunch at the historic Brickerville House Restaurant.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area & State Game Lands 46
Address & Parking: Visitors Center: 100 Museum Road, Stevens, PA 17578. Middle Creek has multiple parking areas and trailheads throughout the property, making it easy to choose different starting points and hiking distances.
Overview: Managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Middle Creek encompasses nearly 6,000 acres and offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails through the Furnace Hills, grasslands, wetlands and the landscape surrounding the lake. Options range from the easy paved Willow Point Trail to longer forest and ridge hikes.
Amenities: The Visitors Center has exhibits and restrooms when open. Designated picnic areas include Sunfish Pond, Red Rock and White Oak. Facilities vary considerably by trailhead, so do not assume restrooms or drinking water will be available where you park.
Plan Your Hike:
- Pennsylvania Game Commission – Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Pennsylvania Game Commission – Middle Creek Hiking Trails & Map
Why It’s a Gem: Wildlife! Middle Creek is one of Pennsylvania’s Globally Important Bird Areas and is especially famous for migrating snow geese and tundra swans. But the variety of trails makes it worth visiting well beyond migration season.
Horse-Shoe Trail & J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation
Address & Parking: Furnace Hills near the Lancaster–Lebanon county line. Camp Mack’s main address is 2 Scout Lane, Newmanstown, PA 17073. Because the Scout reservation is private property with designated public trail access, check current access information and use the appropriate trail parking rather than assuming the main camp facilities are available.
Overview: The J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation covers nearly 1,100 acres in the Furnace Hills and contains an extensive trail network. The Horse-Shoe Trail passes through the property and connects this area with a much larger long-distance trail system across southeastern Pennsylvania.
Amenities: Think of this as a trail system rather than a developed public park. Public hiking is permitted in designated areas, but Camp Mack remains private Scout property and trails can close for Scout events or other activities. Do not count on public restrooms, drinking water, picnic facilities or playgrounds.
Plan Your Hike:
- Pennsylvania Dutch Council – J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation
- Camp Mack Trail Map
- Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy
Why It’s a Gem: The Furnace Hills terrain. This is one of the places to go when you want a hike that feels more like a trail adventure than a walk through a developed park, with plenty of opportunities to extend your mileage.
Central Lancaster County – Easy-to-Reach Family Hikes
Landis Woods
Address & Parking: 2369 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Parking is available near the Boettcher House and Landis Woods entrance.
Overview: At nearly 70 acres, Landis Woods is one of Manheim Township’s largest tracts of natural undeveloped land. Hiking paths wind through mature woods surrounding the historic Boettcher House Environmental Education Center.
Amenities: Parking and the Boettcher House Environmental Education Center. The Boettcher House has washrooms, but because the building hosts programs and events, I would not rely on indoor facilities being open for every hike. No playground is listed at Landis Woods.
Plan Your Hike:
Why It’s a Gem: Location. You can take a real woodland walk without going far from Lancaster or Lititz. For us, it is an easy hike to pair with Lititz Springs Park, lunch and a warm Julius Sturgis pretzel.
Noel S. Dorwart Park
Address & Parking: 405 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. The park is being developed as a trailhead for the Blue/Green Connector, with an enlarged parking area included in the recent improvements.
Overview: This East Hempfield Township park follows the Little Conestoga Creek through woods, wetlands and meadow. The trail system is mostly gentle, making it an approachable choice for a family walk while still offering plenty of nature close to Lancaster.
Amenities: Recent park improvements include an enlarged parking area, picnic pavilion, playground, labyrinth, wildflower meadow, nature path with educational signs and bike racks. Because the upgrades are relatively new, check current township information before relying on a specific restroom or water facility.
Plan Your Hike:
Why It’s a Gem: Hike plus playtime. The creek, wetlands and wooded sections give you the nature walk, while the unique playground, complete with a zipline, makes it especially easy to turn the outing into a kid-friendly afternoon.
Lancaster County Central Park
Address & Parking: 1050 Rockford Road, Lancaster, PA 17602. This 544-acre park has numerous roads, parking areas and trail access points, making it especially easy to create different loops or begin from different sections of the park.
Overview: Lancaster County’s largest county park has more than 13 miles of trails through woods, fields and along Mill Creek and the Conestoga River. The Conestoga Trail System also passes through the park, giving hikers the option of following part of a much longer regional trail.
Amenities: This is the most developed hiking area on the list: multiple parking areas, restrooms, picnic tables and pavilions, water at several pavilion areas, multiple playgrounds, the Environmental Center, pool, skate park and other recreation facilities. Amenities are spread throughout the large park, so check the map for the facilities closest to your planned hike.
Plan Your Hike:
- Lancaster County – Central Park
- Lancaster County – Central Park Trail Map
- Lancaster Hiking Club – Conestoga Trail System – Map 5
Why It’s a Gem: Variety. You can make this a quick walk, a longer trail day or a hike-and-playground outing. With multiple trailheads and the Conestoga Trail passing through, there are plenty of ways to make the hike fit the day.
Southwest Lancaster County – Susquehanna Riverlands
Pinnacle Scenic Overlook & Kellys Run
Address & Parking: Pinnacle Scenic Overlook: Old Pinnacle Road. Kellys Run Nature Preserve: 9 New Village Road, Holtwood, PA. Separate parking areas at Pinnacle and Kellys Run create several possibilities for loops, out-and-back hikes and longer connected routes.
Overview: Pinnacle Scenic Overlook and Kellys Run are connected through the Susquehanna Riverlands trail network. Pinnacle offers immediate views over the Susquehanna and access to the Conestoga Trail, while Kellys Run adds a strenuous 3.8-mile loop with stream crossings, bedrock and boulders. Hikers can connect the two areas for a longer adventure.
Amenities: Pinnacle has parking, a port-a-john and picnic tables. Kellys Run has parking, a port-a-john, pavilion, kiosk and preserve signage. No drinking water is listed, so bring what you need.
Plan Your Hike:
- Lancaster Conservancy – Pinnacle Scenic Overlook
- Lancaster Conservancy – Kellys Run Nature Preserve
- Lancaster Hiking Club – Conestoga Trail System – Map 1
Why It’s a Gem: Big views plus a real trail adventure. You can enjoy the overlook with very little hiking or add steep terrain, creek crossings and rocky sections for a much longer day.
Clark Nature Preserve
Address & Parking: 400 House Rock Road, Pequea, PA. The main parking area at the end of House Rock Road provides access to several different hiking options.
Overview: The 373-acre Lancaster Conservancy preserve combines meadow, deep forest, streams and rocky River Hills terrain. Hikes range from the easy 0.9-mile universally accessible Lloyd Clark Trail to the short House Rock overlook hike and a strenuous 2.4-mile loop. The Conestoga Trail passes through the preserve at House Rock Scenic Overlook and can be used to continue farther into the River Hills.
Amenities: Parking, kiosk, semi-permanent port-a-john and a universally accessible trail. No drinking water or playground is listed.
Plan Your Hike:
- Lancaster Conservancy – Clark Nature Preserve & Trail Map
- Lancaster Hiking Club – Conestoga Trail System – Map 1
Why It’s a Gem: Choice. From one parking area, you can take an easy meadow loop, hike to House Rock Scenic Overlook or connect with the Conestoga Trail for a longer and more challenging adventure.
Susquehannock State Park
Address & Parking: 1880 Park Drive, Drumore, PA 17518. The park has multiple day-use parking areas, allowing you to begin near different trails, picnic areas and overlooks.
Overview: This 224-acre Pennsylvania state park sits high above the Susquehanna River and has 5.6 miles of hiking trails. Routes range from easy walks to steep, rocky climbs through rhododendron and woodland, with several trails leading toward memorable river views.
Amenities: More than 80 picnic tables, grills, parking, water fountains, restrooms, a playground, picnic pavilions and other recreation facilities are spread throughout the park. Individual trailheads may have few or no amenities, so use the park map to choose the best starting area for your plans.
Plan Your Hike:
- PA DCNR – Susquehannock State Park Hiking & Trail Map
- PA DCNR – Susquehannock State Park Picnicking & Amenities
Why It’s a Gem: The Susquehanna views are reason enough to go, but the variety of trails makes the park more than an overlook stop. It is also one of the best choices on this list when you want to combine hiking with a picnic and playground time.
Explore more of Lancaster County
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Meeting the Wolves of Speedwell: A Visit to Wolf Sanctuary of PA
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