Hershey, PA

Sweet Hills of Hershey

Over the rise of a lush, green hillside, unspoiled farmland stretches in every direction. Rustic ranch houses, barns, and grain silos dot the rolling vistas. Cattle rest beneath the shade of a large maple tree. Reminiscent of a bygone era, the setting evokes a simpler way of life.

Pastoral Scene

Set on 200 acres in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, the Hershey preserve is a continuation of this pastoral scene. A valley of grassy fields slopes down to a small fishing lake, surrounded by a mix of meadows and wooded areas. Smaller flocks from a total of nearly 3,000 resident Canada Geese share the property with rabbits, whitetail deer, and chipmunks.
A true "walking" preserve, Hershey's roads are well-paved. Combined with strategically placed trails — one through a native covered bridge — these paths are perfect for folks taking leisurely strolls with pooches in tow. Buildings painted barn red with traditional white trim, as well as attention to natural landscaping, add to the country ambiance. Cultivated wildflowers in common areas such as the Family Center and Gazebo are a special touch.

Lakeside Amenities

A small fishing pier juts out from a marshy area on the east side of the lake. Other lakeside amenities are a campfire ring, horseshoe pits, playground, and sand volleyball court.

Adjacent to the Family Center, is the crystal clear swimming pool and basked on the spacious deck. Well-kept tennis courts and the shaded mini-golf course also saw steady use. No matter where you camp, these centralized amenities are within easy reach.

Local Draws

LANCASTER COUNTY: Bordered by the Susquehanna River, Lancaster County is renowned as the most productive non-irrigated land in North America. An abundance of farmer's markets, roadside stands, orchards and vineyards offer bounty for locals and visitors alike. Amish settlements still thrive with people whose inventive spirit, strong work ethic, and faith-based focus is legendary.

At the Amish Farm and House, located on Route 30 East in Lancaster, you can enjoy a guided house tour and a self-guided farm tour. Situated on 25 acres, the 1805 farmhouse is furnished in the Old Order style. Touted as "an authentic working farm" the land was first tilled in 1715.

Other favorite county attractions:

• Kitchen Kettle Village - Intercourse, PA
• Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park - Lancaster, PA
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania - Strasburg, PA

TOWN OF HERSHEY: In neighboring Dauphin County just a short drive from the preserve, the town of Hershey offers sweet treats in many forms. You know you have arrived once you begin seeing streetlamps shaped like Hershey's Kisses.

That luscious scent leads you directly to Hershey's Chocolate World, a tourist stop outside the entrance to Hersheypark ("Coaster Capitol of Pennsylvania"). Unlike the thrill-seeking amusement rides at the park, the signature attraction at Chocolate World is an all-too-brief train ride through the process of making chocolate. By the time you receive a small token of milk chocolate at the exit, your taste buds are bursting to devour America's favorite guilty pastime. A stop at the information desk on your way out guides you to other nearby lures, including Hershey Gardens and Indian Echo Caverns (Hummelstown, PA).

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK: Completely encompassing the city of Gettysburg (90 minutes from the preserve), this National Park Service property commemorates the bloodiest battle of the Civil War during "three days in July," 1863. With more than 50,000 casualties, more men fell here than in any other battle fought in N. America, before or since. Gazing across peaceful pastures, it's difficult to imagine this place as the battlefield where Union commander George Gordon Meade repelled a Confederate charge under Robert E. Lee. And, of course, it is also the site of Lincoln's famous address: "... It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced ..."

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