Conewago Mountains
An arc of forested peaks located in northern York County.
Conewago Mountains Conservation Area within the Pennsylvania Highlands
The Conewago Mountains of northern York County are forested hills towering more than 1,300 feet above sea level. The Conewago Mountains form an arc of peaks that includes Blair Hill, Nell’s Hill, Flat Mountain, Round Top, Pinetown Hill, Wright Knob, John’s Knob, Ramsey Hill, and Straight Hill. Diabase formations, these hills contain large rock outcroppings, boulder fields, and sensitive natural areas. The mountains spread across Warrington, Dover, Conewago, Monaghan, Fairview, and Newberry townships.
Natural Resources
The Conewago Mountains, composed of Triassic-aged reddish-brown sandstone and conglomerate, lie within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and are part of the smaller Conewago Creek watershed. Beaver Creek, a tributary of Conewago Creek, and the Conewago itself are designated as Warm Water Fisheries since agricultural practices have degraded their water quality. Sediment and nutrient runoff from croplands, pastures, barn lots, and stream corridors are the main impairment issues.
The Conewago Mountains contain several priority conservation areas identified by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. Nells Hill Swamp, a successional red maple swamp with seeps, is a unique landscape feature in York County. The swamp is home to the giant swallowtail butterfly and shumard’s oak. Erney Cliff, a sparsely vegetated eroded cliff rising steeply above Conewago Creek, contains a growth of wild oaks. The forests of Gifford Pinchot State Park are surrounded by farm fields and are a rest stop for migrating forest birds – warblers, vireos, and thrushes. Pinchot Lake and its shoreline wetlands attract thousands of waterfowl such as mergansers, Canada geese, mallard ducks, loons, and teals.
Conewago Mountains conservation area overlaps with a High Protection Priority area designated by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, Priorities for Climate Change Connectivity in Pennsylvania. This project focuses attention on overall high priority portions of the Climate Change Connectivity network which are currently unprotected.
Historical / Cultural Resources
The Warrington Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1769 on Carlisle Road, has been called the finest example of early Quaker meeting house architecture in the country. Several brownstone quarries were also once operated on the northern side of the ridge.
Recreational Resources
Significant recreation areas of the Conewago Mountains include State Game Land 242 and Gifford Pinchot State Park. The park lies on the southern edge of the Conewago Mountains, and its lake is known for excellent fishing. Beaver Creek provides Class III to V whitewater for intermediate to advanced whitewater paddling. Ski RoundTop Mountain which is a privately owned resort with a full range of outdoor recreation.
Interactive Map
The Conewago Mountains conservation area is located in York County. It has a total acreage of roughly 28,250 acres with approximately 3,672 acres of protected open space that the public can access, plus 34 miles of hiking trails. This region is known for Gifford Pinchot State Park , State Game land 242 , and Mason-Dixon Trail .
Conewago Mountains
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.
