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Mill Creek Falls Nature Preserve

318 Telegraph Rd. | Lower Chanceford Township | York County

OUTSIDE OF LANCASTER COUNTY

 

Mill Creek Falls Nature Preserve is a picture perfect hiking spot. There are 2 lovely trails to hike. The first is a universally accessible trail with crushed stone that takes you through the woods and allows those with mobility issues to enjoy nature. The second is a slightly more rugged trail that takes you into the gorge along Mill Creek eventually connecting to the Mason Dixon Trail at Mill Creek Falls. Both trails are a beautiful escape into nature.



The preserve is managed by The Lancaster Conservancy, who out bid a developer when the property went up for sale in 2021, saving this amazing piece of nature for all of us to enjoy. The preserve was previously Camp Donegal, a Presbyterian children's camp and Mill Creek Retreat before the conservancy purchased the property. Remnants of the old camp are still there, like cabins, a pavilion and a swimming pool.

 

Distance: 2.7 miles of trails

Time: 1-2 hours

Terrain: dirt | rocks | wooded | gravel

Difficulty: rare to medium

Activities: hiking | trail running | leashed dogs | wheelchairs | strollers

Trail Blaze: red

Parking: large parking lot

Restrooms: port-o-potty



 

Universally Accessible Lollipop Trail | 1 mile semi-loop rare | 20-40 minutes

The trail starts at the far end of the parking lot. This crushed gravel trail is very level and well shaded. It's an easy semi-loop if you are looking for a nice walk in the woods. Keep an eye out for the pawpaw trees in September. Strollers, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices are permitted but bicycles, horses and ATVs are not.


Mill Creek Falls Trail | 1.4 miles out and back medium | 30-60 minutes

This trail veers off to the left a few hundred feet after you start the Universally Accessible Trail. The trail gradually takes you downhill and along the upper falls of Mill Creek. This is a fairly easy trail to navigate, it only becomes difficult if you want to cross the creek to see the 10-ft falls along the Mason Dixon Trail. Which I defiantly recommend. It's only a .3 mile hike to the falls after you cross the creek. This is a beautiful trail along the creek with mossy rock, mature trees and thick rhododendron.

 

Directions:

From Lancaster take PA-272 S through Willow Street

Turn Right onto PA-372 West at the Buck

Continue along PA-372 after crossing the Norman Wood Bridge

Turn Right onto Slab Rd.

Turn Right onto Crowl Rd.

Turn Right onto Telegraph Rd.

The road will dead end at the preserve parking lot




 

Nearby Hikes:

Mason Dixon Trail

 



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1 Kommentar


Unknown member
05. Nov. 2023

What is the date for this hike?

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