Graystones Preserve
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Graystones Preserve is a 391-acre nature reserve located in the state of Pennsylvania.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The preserve is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts due to its diverse range of natural features and scenic beauty.
One of the main reasons to visit Graystones Preserve is to explore its extensive network of hiking trails and nature walks. The preserve offers over eight miles of trails, which wind through forests, meadows, and wetlands, and provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Visitors to Graystones Preserve can also enjoy birdwatching, as the area is home to a variety of bird species, including Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Blue Herons. Additionally, the preserve has a large population of native wildflowers, making it a popular spot for nature photography and wildflower enthusiasts.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at Graystones Preserve include the wetlands, which are home to a variety of aquatic plants and wildlife, and the historic stone walls, which date back to the early 1900s.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once used as a hunting ground for Native Americans, and that it is home to several rare plant and animal species, including the Eastern Hellbender salamander.
The best time of year to visit Graystones Preserve is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its most vibrant. However, the preserve is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy a range of activities throughout the seasons.
Overall, Graystones Preserve is a beautiful and unique destination that offers a wide range of outdoor activities and natural attractions. Whether you're a hiker, birdwatcher, or nature lover, this preserve is definitely worth a visit.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Organized Group Tenting Area
|
||
Hickory Run State Park
|
||
Camp Daddy Allen
|
||
Pennsylvania Youth Forestry Camp #2
|
||
Camp Shehaqua
|
||
Lehigh Gorge Campground
|
Hickory Run State Park
State Game Lands 129
State Game Lands 149
Francis E Walter Dam National Recreation Area
State Game Lands 091