HomePennsylvaniaConestoga › Chestnut Grove Natural Area

Chestnut Grove Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 94 Google reviews · Running trail in Conestoga, Pennsylvania · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
2 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Chestnut Grove Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

2 miLoopScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastHillyMile markers

Nature preserve offering paths through grassland and meadows as well as ponds. Also features bird-watching areas.

What runners say about Chestnut Grove Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (94 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“* This place has a gorgeous, easy hike through flowers and fields, however, i have never had this many ticks at once in my life, and i explore the local nature preserves often.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“* This place has a gorgeous, easy hike through flowers and fields, however, i have never had this many ticks at once in my life, and i explore the local nature preserves often.”

Surprisingly nice trail, great for walking your cat (or dog), there are two pretty ponds and tons of native plants as well as a beautiful overlook of the Susquehanna. For a built trail, it's quite pretty and enjoyable. Pictured is a snake found last week, maybe 3 feet long, harmless black snake.

★★★★★ — Philip , Oct 2022

Great walking trails! Star Rock overlook provides great views of the Susquehanna River!

★★★★★ — Rob , May 2023

One of the best spots in the county to bird, enjoy nature, or soak up the beaty of the Susquehanna! LCSWMA does a fantastic job with the upkeep of this park. The preserve consists of a number of interlocking trails, which wind through grasslands, wetlands, forested areas, and lead to an incredible overlook of the…

★★★★★ — Rainer , May 2023

This place is quite fun to explore. I passed through while on the Turkey Hill trail loop. Plentiful native plants and different insects. In some areas, the pathway is a little too narrow, but overall good. Would definitely benefit from a more detailed map for navigating the area.

★★★★★ — Angela , Aug 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 94 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 18 mentions

“* This place has a gorgeous, easy hike through flowers and fields, however, i have never had this many ticks at once in my life, and i explore the local nature preserves often.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 8 mentions

“Surprisingly nice trail, great for walking your cat (or dog), there are two pretty ponds and tons of native plants as well as a beautiful overlook of the Susquehanna.”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 6 mentions

“Access to the Turkey Hill Trail allows you to make a 7 mile loop with the Enola Low grade Trail below, or you can wander the grasslands trails for two or three miles.”

More trails like this →

Flat & fast 5 mentions

“Miles of trails including very flat easy trails for casual walks and moderately hilly trails.”

More trails like this →

🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“Access to the Turkey Hill Trail allows you to make a 7 mile loop with the Enola Low grade Trail below, or you can wander the grasslands trails for two or three miles.”

More trails like this →

📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“There are multiple intersecting trails and markers aren't well-defined.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Chestnut Grove Natural Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Loop distance2 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday 6 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–6 PM
Thursday 6 AM–6 PM
Friday 6 AM–6 PM
Saturday 6 AM–6 PM
Sunday 6 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Chestnut Grove Natural Area

43 Chestnut Grove Rd, Conestoga, PA 17516

Get directions

Running trails near Conestoga

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Turkey Hill Overlook Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 503 reviews

Conestoga, PA

3 miLoopCrushed gravelScenic

Hiking area with trails and overlooks along the Susquehanna River, suitable for children.

1.8 miles away

Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 304 reviews

Wrightsville, PA

2 miPavedScenic

Park featuring a paved spiral path leading to a scenic overlook, plus picnic tables.

5.9 miles away

Clark Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 69 reviews

Pequea, PA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve featuring hikes such as the Ralph Goodno Trail to House Rock, and a wind cave.

6.2 miles away

Silver Mine Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 230 reviews

Conestoga, PA

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Relaxing park featuring paved trails and dirt trails, ponds, picnic tables, and a barbecue grill.

6.4 miles away

Samuel S Lewis State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 835 reviews

York, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Park where people fly kites, stargaze & sled on 885-foot Mt. Pisgah, with places to hike & picnic.

7.0 miles away

Columbia River Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 825 reviews

Columbia, PA

Scenic

Riverside park offering fishing and picnics, plus a boat launch and river views.

7.0 miles away

All running trails in Conestoga, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.