Overview
Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary is closed until further notice. See latest update.
This 77.5-acre nature preserve hosts the headquarters of Wildlands Conservancy, the main office, and is an outdoor classroom for environmental education for thousands of school-age kids annually. It boasts nearly three miles of trails, including the ADA-Accessible Boardwalk Trail that runs along the Little Lehigh.
Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary’s diverse habitats (young meadows, forest, and the Little Lehigh) provides habitat for 136+ bird species including bald eagle, Baltimore oriole, Canada warbler, hooded merganser, red-breasted nuthatch, blue heron, red-tailed hawk, and great horned owl. The bird blind is a great place to glimpse a variety of bird species.
This preserve hosts Wildlands' animal ambassadors which educate thousands of students per year on the importance of conservation in the region. We ask nature preserve visitors to stay behind the rope at the animal ambassador viewing area.
Activities and amenities: Hiking, Parking Lot,Trail Running, ADA-Accessible, Bathrooms, Hiking, Birdwatching, Fishing, Dog Walking (Dogs must be leashed at all times)
Access Points: There is no public access to the Sanctuary at this time.
The Trails
Floodplain trail, .4 miles
This shady boardwalk trail runs through the wetland riparian zone along the Little Lehigh Creek, passing ponds and stream overlooks. This trail is ADA accessible, with dedicated parking located nearby.
Pheasant Run trail, .45 miles
This flat trail runs through a mix of hardwood and evergreen groves, with thick understory shrubs. The trail then loops through a sunny wildflower meadow where red-tailed hawks and foxes are occasionally spotted. ADA parking is available in the grassy area near Pheasant Run’s entrance and provides easy access to the pavilion and Floodplain trail.
Sensory trail, .68 miles
The Sensory trail provides rope-guided hiking and environmental educational opportunities for the visually impaired. Braille signs and tactile sensory displays provide an interactive experience. This region of the preserve is open meadow with lots of sun and wildflowers. Access to the sensory trail is available off Farr Rd, with a dedicated parking lot and pavilion.
PA Tree ID trail, .1 miles
The PA Tree ID trail is a great example of native tree species- each labeled for easy identification. Deer frequent this area, if one is quiet, they will often stay nearby. This short, flat trail forks to connect to Pheasant Run at both ends.
Backyard Conservation trail, .36 miles
The Backyard Conservation trail is a hilly steep trail that runs on a ridge above the Little Lehigh. The trail passes through dense upland habitat before connecting to the Woodlands Trail and Sensory trail. Spurs from this trail lead to the Bird Blind, and a small pond.
Switchback trail, .27 miles
This trail switchbacks up the hill from its beginnings near the Bird Blind and Wildflower Meadow. This trail provides an easier, less steep, route for accessing the Woodlands trail than the Backyard Conservation trail. Forest and grassy areas are interspersed along this route and dense stands of yellow-blooming Wingstem create a unique corridor.
Woodlands trail, .4 miles
The Woodlands trail is the longest and most remote of the trails on the preserve. This area contains some of the most mature woodlands on the property and as the quietest trail, often exhibits the largest number of interior woodland bird species.
Photos by: Rachel Butler
