Living only about 30 minutes away, I had always assumed Boyd Big Tree Preserve was simply a tree sapling area used by DCNR. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it's actually a 1,025-acre conservation and recreation area that straddles Blue Mountain and serves as habitat for large trees of many species and deep-forest birds, especially warblers. The preserve offers a peaceful, natural setting for passive recreation like birding, nature walks, and hiking, with an extensive 12-mile trail system ranging from easy to difficult. Every trail connects to at least one other, making it easy to customize a hike based on skill level. From wildflowers at your feet to the towering canopy created by the "big trees" that give the preserve its name, the scenery feels beautifully unaltered. While the trails are best used from March through October, the area is open year-round, including winter recreation and cross-country skiing. I visited on the first Saturday in January on an overcast but beautiful 32-degree day. With no recent rain, snow, or ice, it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore. Upon arrival, I found a paved parking lot with just a handful of cars. Parking was plentiful that day, though I imagine it could get tight during peak seasons since there's only one relatively small lot. PRO TIP: Grab a printed trail map before heading out. Cell service was spotty, and my online map wouldn't load once I arrived--but printed maps were readily available at the parking area. Boyd Big Tree Preserve features seven well-marked trails, clearly blazed and varying in difficulty. For easier hikes, the Lower Spring Trail (1.1-mile loop, lavender blazes) and Pond Loop Trail (1.2-mile loop, pink blazes) are great choices. Moderate options include the Coach Trail, Creek Trail, and Upper Spring Trail, while the most challenging hikes are the Janie Trail and East Loop Trail. After some advance research, I chose the 1.2-mile Pond Loop Trail, which offers opportunities to spot wildlife near a popular watering hole. The pink blazes didn't hurt either. The trail was an easy, leisurely one-hour walk with minor elevation changes along a small gravel path. Aside from one set of fast-approaching footsteps behind me (a runner who briefly made my heart skip a beat), the trail was completely empty--perfect for quiet reflection. I spent some time sitting on a bench near the fully frozen pond hoping to spot wildlife, but the only visitor was a lone squirrel. On my way out, I stopped at Stroh's Cemetery, located near the entrance to the preserve. This historic cemetery dates back to 1819 and was originally a family graveyard before becoming a community burial ground. Though many headstones are missing, more than 130 graves remain. Recent DCNR restoration efforts are clearly visible, with cleaned and repaired gravestones and thoughtful landscaping that respectfully honors those buried there. Overall, I'd absolutely recommend Boyd Big Tree Preserve for a peaceful walk in the woods. Is this the place for extreme hiking? Probably not. But if you're looking for a quiet, scenic spot to stretch your legs, enjoy nature, and unplug for a bit--this is a solid choice close to home. read more

See all

Crafted on the north side of a mountain and optimized for taking walks in the woods, Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area has some nicely varied terrain and the trails are well marked. Tip: If you make it to the top, you'll be rewarded by an impressive view of the Susquehanna valley :-) While dogs are allowed in Boyd, the wilderness is largely unspoiled by facilities. About the only thing that's been built here is a bathroom at the trail head. Note that you'll need to bring water when you come, and it's wise to wear something blaze orange if you're there in season. read more

See all

This is one of the better trails I've been on! It is gorgeous and very well kept. It is great for dogs as well. They provide maps at the beginning of the trail, which is helpful. There are bathrooms and water fountains at the head of the trail as well. I gave it 4 stars because I found the trail connections to be a tad confusing, even with the map. Overall, definitely a place to check out if you enjoy hiking! read more

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area - Parks Near Me - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

See all

This place is just absolutely beautiful! We found it while it was lightly raining a few months back and we just had to get out of the car and check it out, even though we didn't have the right shoes or clothes for it hahaha. My kids and I took my husband back for a hike on Father's Day and it was a lot of fun. It was literally the perfect day - not too hot or humid, just warm enough to be enjoyable. We'll definitely be coming back again. read more

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area - June 19, 2022 - literally the perfect day. - Parks Near Me - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Amazing views and nature watching on so many levels. You'll see birds, berries, and bark. All trails are clearly marked and carry true difficulty ratings. Could be better: parking lot markings and bathroom. It's a bit chaotic. Also - I didn't see any water fountains. What to bring: Sunshade for your car, long sleeves, tall socks, and bug repellent. read more

Boyd Big Tree Preserve is pretty awesome place in fishing creek valley to just chill and relax.. its 949 acres and was donated by Alex Boyd in 1999, when he was head of the Union deposit Corporation, the real estate company that owns all the office complexes on union deposit road and east park drive. it is the newest Pennsylvania state park and is the only one designated as a "Conservation Area" lots of mature trees and so forth. it has a few miles of hiking trails. great for walking dogs too, they can just roam all over the property. Lots of wildflowers, animals and stuff like that. read more

As an avid hiker who has explored miles of trails throughout region I always look forward to checking out a new area. Boyd Big Tree offers a few different trails to hike. Thought the map says some of the trails are "Most Difficult" I wouldn't agree with the classification. All of the trails are fairly easy to moderate to hike. Trails are well maintained, clearly marked, and easy to follow even for a beginning hiker but all trails are rather short. Boyd Big Tree is in a great location and even though it's minutes upside of Harrisburg it offers the peacefulness of being deep in the forest. There is a private parking lot which is nice compared to many locations I have hiked. In summary this is a great location for beginning hikers or kids but if you are looking for a full day of hiking this isn't the place to go. read more

Fantastic place to hike but be sure to lock your car and take valuables with you. My credit cards and cash were taken from my wallet while hiking today. I leave it in the glovebox so I can't loose it on the trail. Will not do that again. read more

Came here on a beautiful day, mid June. It was 80 degrees but in the shade of the woods, it felt more like 75. Almost every path winds through thick groves of trees with warblers, bluebirds, and woodpeckers up above and gray squirrels, white-tailed deer, and White Admiral butterflies down below. If you head east, the woods are cut back from the power lines and you'll find dozens of Aphrodite Fritillaries and other butterfly species among the wildflowers and tall grasses. I'd really like to give this place 5 stars but a couple things dampened the experience. For the entire hike, I was surrounded by a cloud of tiny buzzing flies that never stopped trying to land in my eyeball or inside my ear. There was also one really big fly that kept dive bombing my head. It felt like someone was throwing blueberries at me. (The clouds of flies are probably the result of the recent rain, followed by warm summer days) The other negative is that if the path narrowed or if I chose a path less traveled, I walked through a lot of single strand spider webs suspended between the trees. If you don't mind looking like wizard, grab a long twig and wave it in front of you as you go. ArachnaWeb-o Eliminatum!! Aside from the bugs, this place is a beautiful, quiet place to go for a walk. There are plenty of trails that cross, so you can create your own loop to fit your level. TIP: Grab a map from the parking lot! Trails will be marked by colored spots on the tree trunks. read more

See all

A nice, no frills state park with a few different hiking trails that all intersect, so you can make it as long or as short of a walk as you'd like to take. Mostly tree covered for wonderful shade on a hot summer day. A few hills and some rocky spots, but over all a pretty easy to moderate path. read more

Really neat little no fills state park. Day use only, but great for a short or long day hike. The trails intersect at certain spots, so you could really cater your hike to any length or intensity. Most trails are wide, however East Loop gets narrow and it can be difficult to stay on track. It's very quiet and not very utilized. I enjoy that, very peaceful. One thing that knocks a star off (and I know this is Mother Nature we're talking about) but the flies and gnats are crazy in the forest areas. I hate bug spray, but took the advice of other reviews and used a scant amount on my arms, face and neck and near my ankles before setting out on the trail. This didn't really prevent any of the hundred of gnats from following me. I reapplied after an hour or so and that really didn't help either. So heed the advice of other Yelpers. APPLY BUG SPRAY. All in all though, very thankful this exists and so close to where I live. I plan a return trip to hit some trails I did not get a chance to fully complete. If you visit, bring a map or download the PDF from the DNRC website. You may need it. Trails are meticulously blazed, but they do criss cross, so it can get a bit confusing. There is cell service, so if your are in a jam, download it. read more

See all

It has come to my attention that most of my reviews are like "omg make it go away" or "this place totally sucks donkey balls...yuck." so in honor of personal growth and positive change, I am forcing myself to write a happy review. "What's something I really like?" I asked myself and then it hit me...THE OUT DOORS. Not to blow up my own spot, but this place is well known enough that it's ok to talk about now. It's no pinchot, but it's like one down on the scale. Definitely tell your friends tho. Shiney happy people wanted. Boyds Big tree is a HUGE asset to the community and surrounding areas. Fairly certain it links up to the AT at some point as well. I DO KNOW, that if you follow the grueling uphill trail, all the way to the powerlines - - where no man should really ever go, but if you ever feel like proving yourself; here's an option. Follow the high or low road, doesn't matter, they all go to the same place; and head up the rocky part of the mountain all the way to the power lines at the summit. Lay down, hyperventilating, because you will be. It'ls alright. We all do it. When you come to, take in the view...you can see for miles and miles and miles. Blue mountain is part of 3 mountain chain that run paralell at this point and you can see all three from here, if you count the one at your feet. pretty cool. there's an easier way to get there, just hike across the blue mountain parkway - - big tree is not for the faint of heart, BUH-LEAVE you me! read more

What a wonderful place for a walk on a beautiful Spring day. Birds singing, water burbling, everything is green. Hikes are easy to moderate. Longest trail only 2.8 miles; but they all intersect, so make your own course. Trails are pretty well maintained, with just one or two tree crossings to negotiate. We will definitely be back. read more

On June 23rd 2012 I visited Big Boyd and the lower field area which comprises of approximately 40 acres. This field area was in bloom with many patches of milkweed and joe pye weed through out the entire area. There were many insects, butterflies, and birds to be found there. Yesterday upon arrival I found the almost the entire field area had been hayed off and the bales stood in mute testimony to what was just a few days ago a vibrant and living ecosystem. The entire field ecosystem has been wiped out for the rest of the year. The grasses and blooming wildflowers were cut to a three inch stubble. Who in their right mind would have had this field cut off now. I am a full time college student majoring in Environmental Science and working on a second degree in digital photography. Needless to say there was little if anything to photograph at least not in the abundance that was there a week ago. There was one tiny area left approximately 150 by 150 feet of uncut grasses. What few flowering plants remains there were some butterflies and some bees present. What a shame that someone with little or no for thought would have this destroyed this area. read more

Great trails, most are 1-2 miles and range in difficulty. Beautiful park and well maintained.

Despite what the one poster on here says, dogs are NOT allowed to roam free but many allow them to. I always carry mace when I go there. A woman got mauled badly by a dog last year there. Keep your dogs OPN A LEASH. Thank You read more

There are a lot of nice trails at this park, however you hike up a pretty steep hill, then there is no overlook or view. It is very peaceful, though! read more

This is a great place to take an easy/moderate hike with lots of clearly marked trails. The trails are shorter but can easily be combined for a longer hike. Very well maintained. read more