April 25: Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve Guided Group Hike

Come explore the beauty of Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve, a place nationally known for its spectacular display of native wildflowers, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. This 2.3-mile out-and-back hike will be led by Millersville University professor, avid hiker, and longtime Lancaster Conservancy volunteer Hope Odenwalt, who has spent the past six years helping connect people with nature and protect the region’s unique natural spaces. Expect an easy pace, with plenty of time to slow down, look closely, and fully appreciate this vibrant landscape during a 2- to 2.5-hour adventure.

Drawing from her background in mental health, Hope brings a thoughtful perspective on how time in nature can support personal well-being and deepen our sense of connection to the land, to one another, and to ourselves. Through guided hikes like this one, she encourages participants to see the trail as more than just a path through the woods, but as a space for reflection, discovery, and renewed appreciation for the natural world.

The trail is considered easy to moderate in intensity and includes rocks, tree roots, and other natural surfaces that can present trip hazards, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Hope is also certified in Wilderness Advanced First Aid, adding an extra layer of safety and preparedness for the group.

As we practice Leave No Trace principles, we will stay on the established path as it winds through a rich forest habitat filled with native spring wildflowers. Along the way, we will pause to observe and identify seasonal blooms, discuss the connections between plants, pollinators, and ecosystems, and take time to simply enjoy the serenity of the preserve. Benches along the trail offer comfortable spots to rest and reflect.

Be sure to bring binoculars, if you have them. A bald eagle’s nest can be seen from the parking area, and the woods and creek corridor are alive with bird activity throughout the season.

🥾 Click here to register for the April 25th event. 🥾

Will run rain or shine. Severe weather cancellations will be made on-site. Please note: Tickets are non-refundable. All sales are final, unless the hike is canceled due to severe weather.

Parking

You are headed to Shenks Ferry Wildflower Nature Preserve, 857 Green Hill Rd S, Conestoga, PA 17516. Here are the GPS coordinates: 39.905861, -76.368222. Park and check in at the Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve parking lot located at the bottom of Green Hill Road off Shenks Ferry Road off of River Road. As you approach, you will drive through a large tunnel on your way to the bottom of the hill near the Susquehanna River.

Questions

Contact adam@unchartedlancaster.com if you have questions.

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Supersize Your Adventure

Supersize your adventure by including one of Adam Zurn’s books with your adventure ticket purchase.

📖 Learn about the many unique places Lancaster County has to offer when you step off the beaten path with Uncharted Lancaster: Field Guide to the Strange, Storied, and Hidden Places of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This one-of-a-kind 239-page guidebook uncovers 56 fascinating sites, from the county’s very own fountain of youth to the oldest continuously operating short-line railroad in the western hemisphere.

📖 Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure takes readers on a spine-tingling journey through Lancaster County’s haunted history, eerie legends, and hidden treasures. From ghostly apparitions to outlaw loot, these 64 true local stories blend real history with gripping folklore.

📖 Step back in time and meet Canassatego, a wise Onondaga chief whose powerful words helped shape a nation. Based on real events that took place right here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this picture book recounts the Great Treaty of 1744—and the unforgettable moment when Canassatego broke a single arrow, but could not break a bundle of six in Canassatego and His Six Arrows.