The Movers.com Blog

The preserve's entrance sign.

Without fail, one of the first places I look for when I move to a new area is the nearest park. I don’t need to have a large lake, a cascading waterfall, or miles of pristine virgin timber (though I certainly wouldn’t turn down these features). All I look for is an open space that is filled with natural beauty.

That’s how I first came upon Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The preserve is a 134-acre haven for eastern Pennsylvania’s native plant species. It is filled with gorgeous meadows, stunning forest-lined trails, and delicate wildflower blossoms.

When you visit this park, be prepared for three things: intense natural beauty, winding trails, and rugged terrain. I loved all three when I visited, but it would be difficult to experience some of the meticulously maintained trails if walking does not come easily for you.

When you arrive, you can elect to park at the bottom of the entrance hill or at the top. If you choose to park in the elevated area, your car will need to traverse a steep hill and pass through two automated gates. It was not easy with my older minivan, which nearly rolled backwards during the attempt. I wisely decided to park in the lot below and walk up.

Once you’ve parked, you must pay the modest entrance fee. This helps to maintain the park’s beauty, and it is money well-spent. Then, you may explore the preserve’s many trails and soak in all that it has to offer.

My personal favorite was the steep evergreen trail overlooking a sweeping river vista. The trail is cut into the side of a soft hill-like cliff and is well-marked. From the top, you get a wonderful view of the forest and meandering river below. It was pristine, and I snapped more than a few photos during the ascent.

There are many other trails that feature wildflowers. Most varieties are labeled, though some anonymous petals do peek through the moss and leaves. The hues range from vibrant fuchsia to pale cream and a far-from-mellow yellow. Since this is a preserve, it is essential that visitors do not pick the flowers or disrupt them by straying from the paths. Indulge in several photographs and you’ll be able to savor their beauty for years to come.

Despite the parking difficulty and occasionally rugged trail, I would recommend Bowman’s Hill for anyone seeking a bit of tranquility. It’s perfect for soothing frayed nerves, especially those disrupted by the stresses of moving. Best of all, it’s easily and quickly accessible from points in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and it would be a relatively short road trip to visit from certain areas of southern New York.

If wildflowers and forested knolls satisfy your relaxation spot, then be sure to make Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve a destination one day this summer. I can promise you that you’ll enjoy every minute you spend there, and I encourage you to take many pictures of the stunning flora during your trip.

Take a look at some of the photos I snapped on my last visit to Bowman’s Hill!

BOWMAN’S HILL WILDFLOWER PRESERVE
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA 18938
215.862.2924
http://www.bhwp.org/