Climbers Run Nature Center

Climbers Run stream flows through the middle of the Climbers Run Nature Center located in Pequea, PA

Lancaster County Conservancy

Quick Facts

Location:

226 Frogtown Rd, Pequea, PA 17565

Significance:

Climbers Run Nature Center protects rare ecosystems and species while serving as a hands-on learning hub for conservation, climate resilience, and Chesapeake Bay stewardship.

Designation:

Chesapeake Gateways Network Site

MANAGED BY:

Lancaster County Conservancy

Climbers Run Nature Center is a 113-acre preserve in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, that offers an immersive experience in the natural and cultural heritage of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A partner in the Chesapeake Gateways Network, the site is home to rare ecosystems including a cold-water brook trout stream, vernal pools, remnant oak forests, and native grassland meadows, making it a powerful setting for education, recreation, and ecological restoration.

Visitors can hike over two miles of trails, view wildlife, and explore striking rock outcrops and meadows, all while learning about biodiversity, climate resilience, and human impacts on the landscape. Interpretation at the site highlights restoration efforts, native plant models, and the value of threatened species like brook trout and salamanders.

The Center’s Russo Barn serves as a hub for volunteer training, student programs, and community engagement. Through guided events, teacher workshops, and hands-on stewardship, the Center inspires visitors to take an active role in conservation.

As part of the Lancaster County Conservancy’s mission to protect clean water and wild lands, Climbers Run connects people to the land through education and action. Its location within the Susquehanna National Heritage Area further enhances its significance. Learn more, here.