Welsh Mountain

Large contiguous forest that provides scenic vistas of Amish farms in Lancaster County.

Welsh Mountain Conservation Area within the Pennsylvania Highlands

Welsh Mountain, rising over 1,000 feet in eastern Lancaster County and western Chester County, contains the second largest contiguous forest in Lancaster County, surpassed only by the forests of the Furnace Hills.

 


Natural Resources

The long Welsh Mountain ridge sits just south of Pennsylvania Route 23 and provides scenic vistas of highly productive Amish farms in the valleys below.

The waterways of Welsh Mountain feed the Chesapeake Bay, the country’s largest estuary. Area streams include Pequea Creek and tributaries of the Conestoga River. Mill Creek, at the western end of Welsh Mountain, is the source for New Holland’s reservoir. The eastern part of Welsh Mountain forms the headwaters of the Brandywine River’s west branch designated as High-Quality streams.

Welsh Mountain supports a diversity of plants and animals on its wooded slopes and rock outcroppings. Black birch is typical, with an understory of mountain laurel. The rock outcroppings are covered with lichens, mosses, and ferns. Money Rocks County Park, a 340-acre park between New Holland and Honey Brook boroughs, is home to ruffed grouse, raccoon, red-eyed vireo, and white oak along the “Cockscomb” ridgeline area.

Historical / Cultural Resources

Money Rocks County Park is named for a local legend in which Pequea Valley farmers hid cash in the boulder fields. This area contains several trails overlooking the valley floor and unique natural areas.

Recreational Resources

The Conestoga River Water Trail, a designated Pennsylvania Water Trail, is located just north of Welsh Mountain within the Susquehanna River Basin. The water trail is 60 miles long, extending from Caernarvon Township west to the Susquehanna River.  There are many recreational opportunities within the Welsh Mountain landscape, such as hiking, camping, bicycling. There are also many waterways that provide access for fishing, paddling, and boating activities.


Interactive Map

The Welsh Mountain conservation area is located in Lancaster and Chester counties. It has a total acreage of roughly 10,365 acres with approximately 1,360 acres of protected open space that the public can access, plus 10 miles of hiking trails. This region is known for Critical Treasure New Holland Waters,  Money Rocks County Park , and  Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve 

Welsh Mountain


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

Welsh Mountain Conservation Area within the Pennsylvania Highlands