Hopewell Big Woods

Located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Highlands.

Hopewell Big Woods Conservation Area within the Pennsylvania Highlands

In the heart of the Pennsylvania Highlands, the Hopewell Big Woods encompasses roughly 71,000 acres or 110 square miles with 66 square miles of forest. 

 


Natural Resources

Critical Treasures identified in the Hopewell Big Woods include the Hay Creek and North Branch French Creek Watersheds, Glen Morgan Lake, and Birdsboro Waters – because of their high-quality waters, rich cultural and historical resources, and significant recreational opportunities.

There are nine state-designated Exceptional Value streams that flow through the Hopewell Big Woods conservation area including Hays Creek that provides drinking water to the residents of Birdsboro Borough. The streams support reproducing native trout as well as a variety of wetlands.

The rocky terrain and unique wetlands of the Hopewell Big Woods provide crucial habitat for dozens of plants and animals, including the bog turtle, a federally threatened species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species List, and bog bluegrass, a globally vulnerable plant species that is also threatened in Pennsylvania. Other animals known to live in the Hopewell Big Woods include black bear, bobcat, fox, and mink, as well as a likely expansion area for northern river otters. The Pennsylvania Biological Survey has designated the Hopewell Big Woods as an Important Mammal Area due to its diverse and abundant wildlife. Predominant tree species include mature oak, poplar, birch, maple, and beech, with an understory of mountain laurel and rhododendron. 

The National Audubon Society has designated the area of Hay Creek – French Creek Forest Block Important Bird area, which is found in the Hopewell Big Woods conservation area, based upon documentation of more than 200 bird species living there. Some species of note include the cerulean warbler and scarlet tanager. 

Historical / Cultural Resources

Coventry Forge, the first forge in Chester County and second in Pennsylvania, and numerous iron furnaces, forges, and mills are located in the Hopewell Big Woods. A large community was built around the Coventry Forge, known today as Coventryville Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Other places include Joanna Furnace and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which interpret the iron-making industry. 

Recreational Resources

Hopewell Furnace is surrounded by French Creek State Park, which provides outdoor recreation and tourism. The Thun Trail, Horse-Shoe Trail, State Gamelands No. 43, and Warwick County Park offer recreation opportunities such as fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and canoeing. 


Interactive Map

The Hopewell Big Woods conservation area is located in Berks and Chester counties. It has a total acreage of roughly 71,579 acres with approximately 16,858 acres of protected open space that the public can access, plus 146 miles of hiking trails. This region is known for  French Creek State Park ,  Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site ,  Highlands Trail of Pennsylvania , and  Horse-Shoe Trail 

Hopewell Big Woods


Local Organizations

Follow the links below to learn more about some organizations in the region that focus on conservation and land protection.


Call to Action

Join us in advocating for the protection of the mountains, rivers, forests, and trails of our region.

Programs and people dedicated to conservation in Pennsylvania ensure the region’s outdoor resources are managed responsibly. Click below to speak up and urge your state legislators to increase conservation funding.

Increase State Conservation Funding


Return to  The Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Atlas  main StoryMap where you can discover and continue to learn about the other Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Areas in the Next Steps section.

Acknowledgement

The Appalachian Mountain Club would like to acknowledge and thank the many contributors who provided their time and input on the development of the Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Atlas. Funding for this project was generously provided by the William Penn Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

This StoryMap is based on  Stell et al. (2006)  but has been edited to reflect current thinking about broader perspectives in conservation science and practice. Please cite this resource as:  Poppenwimer, C.J., and D. Guttman, 2023. The Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Atlas. ArcGIS StoryMap .

Part of the 2023 Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Atlas

Catherine J. Poppenwimer, GIS Scientist Danielle K. Guttman, Conservation Outreach Manager

Hopewell Big Woods Conservation Area within the Pennsylvania Highlands