Overview

Discover Black River Sanctuary, a 187-acre protected retreat nestled away from the busy cities of Bethlehem and Allentown. With seven scenic trails, including the Horizon Trail that reveals views of the Allentown skyline, this preserve offers a peaceful escape into nature. The sanctuary is rich in woodland with oaks, maples, tulip trees, and spicebush, and an understory lush with ferns. Its native grasslands are vibrant with wildflowers like milkweed, bee balm, and asters, while shrubs along the Sustenance Trail support diverse wildlife and pollinators.

Three pristine streams begin here, filtering through forests to supply clean water to the Lehigh Valley. Wildlife is abundant, including deer, songbirds, turkeys, amphibians, and even porcupines—often evidenced by tree scratches. An array of pollinators, such as monarchs and bees, thrive in various habitats, including wetlands.

An intersection of nature and art, Black River Sanctuary invites visitors to notice nature-inspired design elements, like tree-shaped parking and seasonal blooms along the powerline corridor. As an outdoor classroom and research site, it fosters learning and career exploration for students of all ages in partnership with local groups and volunteers.

Activities and amenities: Hiking, Parking Lot, Trail Running, Mountain Biking, Birdwatching, Archery Hunting By Permit Only, Dog Walking (Dogs must be leashed at all times)

Access Points:
Black River Rd & Honeysuckle Rd
GPS coordinates: 40.57852, -75.42598

Church Rd & Stonesthrow Rd
GPS coordinates: 40.57192, -75.41019
Photos by: Steve Miller and Skip Cook

It begins with one immovable mountain and a handful of forward-thinking citizens.

More than 40 years ago, community members put pencil to paper to say yes to a future for their beloved South Mountain. While perhaps unfamiliar with its exact ecological importance, they solidly knew it mattered and were inspired to protect it – forever.

With the committed support of Robert “Bob” Rodale, a local champion of organic farming and then chairman and chief of Rodale Press, these neighbors formed the Lehigh Valley Conservancy, a land-protection focused organization based in Bethlehem, Pa.

In 1975, Air Products founder Leonard Parker Pool, an earnest caretaker of the local natural environment and skeet-shooting friend to Rodale, bequeathed his 72-acre wildlife sanctuary to the Conservancy to preserve it “in its natural state for its open space, aesthetic, and wildlife values and the enjoyment of those values by the public.” The Conservancy soon moved its main office and education headquarters to today’s location, known as the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary property in Emmaus, Pa.

In the late 1980s, the organization further developed its education offerings, emphasizing more than ever the need to engage and nurture future environmental stewards. To better reflect the broadened scope of its mission, the name was formally changed to Wildlands Conservancy.

Fun & Recreational Events Not To Miss

The Lehigh River Sojourn, held every June
Bike & Boat Adventures, May through October
Wine and Dine, fundraiser held in fall
From hoot hikes and meteor shower campouts to butterflies and bat experts, Wildlands offers a world of ways to explore nature where you live! Browse full calendar here.

Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary provides habitat for 136 bird species including Bald Eagle, Baltimore Oriole, Canada Warbler, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Great Horned Owl. Other species including, White-tailed Deer, Red Fox, Canada Geese, Great Horned Owl, and Red-tailed Hawk regularly raise young on the preserve. Several ponds provide the opportunity for frogs, salamanders, dragonflies and damselflies to thrive. Large butterfly species such as Common Clearwings, Monarchs and Imperial Moths are common to the preserve.

Trails are accessible for hikers, responsible pet owners, trail runners, birdwatchers and other passive recreation. Grounds are open day to dusk. Please plan ahead. Pool Wildlife Sanctuary is a pack-out site. Please do not litter; carry out all trash, as receptacles are not provided.

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: Steve Miller and Skip Cook

Wildlands Conservancy has been creating lasting connections to nature since 1973. As the region's premier nonprofit land trust, Wildlands protects green, open spaces and clean water. It's perpetually focused educating future environmental stewards and ensuring nature is nearby for all who call the region home. It's mission is kept alive through the committed support of the community and like-minded businesses.

Wildlands has permanently protected more than 60,000 acres to date, including 3,000 acres across 14 nature preserves that offer 33+ miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, birdwatching, dog walking, and much, much more. Some preserves are readily accessible with parking, beginner-friendly trails, and restrooms available. Others are more on the rugged side with vast nature, varied terrain, open meadows, and dense woodlands.

HISTORY

More than 50 years ago, community members put pencil to paper to say yes to a future for their beloved South Mountain. While perhaps unfamiliar with its exact ecological importance, they solidly knew it mattered and were inspired to protect it – forever.With the committed support of Robert “Bob” Rodale, a local champion of organic farming and then chairman and chief of Rodale Press, these neighbors formed the Lehigh Valley Conservancy, a land-protection focused organization based in Bethlehem, Pa.

In 1975, Air Products founder Leonard Parker Pool, an earnest caretaker of the local natural environment and skeet-shooting friend to Rodale, bequeathed his 72-acre wildlife sanctuary to the Conservancy to preserve it “in its natural state for its open space, aesthetic, and wildlife values and the enjoyment of those values by the public.” The Conservancy soon moved its main office and education headquarters to this location, known today as the Dorothy Pool Wildlife Sanctuary property in Emmaus, Pa.

In the late 1980s, the organization further developed its education offerings, emphasizing more than ever the educate a tomorrow for local conservation. To better reflect the broadened scope of its mission, the name was formally changed to Wildlands Conservancy.

EXPLORE

- The Top 5 Wildlands Conservancy Hiking Trails in Emmaus, Bethlehem, Macungie, and beyond

- Wildlands Conservancy's 14 Nature Preserves

- For family-friendly fun and lifelong memories made in nature, from summer camp to guided hikes, visit the events calendar.

The mission of Wildlands Conservancy is to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways, and educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable, environment for future generations.