North Creek Road
West Chester, PA 19382
Fred Gender, Preserve Manager
610-344-3443
Parking: 3/10 mile south of Route 162 on North Creek Road
Stroud Preserve consists of 571 acres of culturally and ecologically important land in Chester County. This rolling mosaic of once-pastured grasslands, working farmlands, and woodlands now serves as wildlife habitat and a unique site for research by the Stroud Water Research Center, one of the premier stream research labs in North America.
Highlights
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Nearly 9.5 miles of unpaved trails ranging from easy to moderate |
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Birds include Downy Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, and Tufted Titmouse. Part of the Laurels, King Ranch, and Stroud “Important Bird Area” (a National Audubon Society designation). |
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Horseback riding on designated trails under good conditions (not wet or muddy); horse trailers are not permitted |
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Over 2 acres of serpentine barrens, a rare habitat for several plant species of special concern in Pennsylvania |
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Meadows filled with native grasses such as purpletop, switchgrass, and big bluestem, and wildflowers such as ironweed, goldenrod, and milkweed |
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Woodlands dominated by red oak, tuliptree, beech, and maple |
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Spring-fed streams and wetlands that drain into the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek |
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Agricultural fields of soybeans and corn, as well as hayfields |
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Historic structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (please respect the privacy of residents) |
Amenities
Trail Map (also available at the parking lot kiosk)
Natural Lands Trust uses TRAFx Counters to assess trail usage. To learn more about TRAFx counters please visit www.trafx.net
Trail Map
