One of the best places to enjoy native plants and wildflowers near Philadelphia is the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, PA.
This 134-acre preserve offers visitors an abundance of peace as you walk through the trees and ferns. Trails vary from flat and wide to narrow and rocky. It’s a beautiful place to visit, especially during the spring months, though it is open year-round.
Learn more about this incredible green space below so you make the most of your visit!
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Prepare For Your Visit to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Admission
The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve charges an admission fee to help fund the maintenance of the property and promote education and us of native plants.
Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for kids 5-17, and FREE for kids under 5. They also offer various discounts for seniors, veterans, and those using ACCESS/SNAP
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve offers FREE admission on select days throughout the year, including every First Friday of the month, Earth Day (April 22nd), Pennsylvania Native Species Day (mid-May), and National Paw Paw Day (3rd Thursday in September)
Hours
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm during the peak wildflower bloom, April through June.
The rest of the year, July through March, the preserve is open 9 am to 5 pm Wednesday-Sunday. They are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Parking
There are several parking areas throughout the 134-acre preserve.
There are two large parking lots outside of the main gate. One is right next to the picnic grove.
Most visitors will park at the Visitor’s Center. This lot fills up quickly. You can also park along the one-way road.
Lastly, there is a small parking lot next to the pond.
Amenities
Restrooms and a water bottle filling station are outside of the Visitor’s Center.
A sheltered picnic grove is located just outside the main gate. Visitors are allowed to use the space as long as it is not reserved.
Small snacks, books, and gifts are available for purchase at the Twinleaf Book & Gift Shop at the Visitor Center.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve (with the exception of service animals).
What To See at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
The gated portion of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is about 100 acres, so there is a lot to see! That’s why it’s one of our favorite things to do in New Hope.
The whole preserve is worth exploring, but there are a few areas that you don’t want to miss.
Log Cabin
Just down from the Visitor’s Center is the log cabin. It was built in 1935 by the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters and the Washington Crossing Park Commission to serve as the original gatehouse for the Preserve.
New Pond
There are several ponds throughout the Preserve, but the pond you don’t want to miss is New Pond, right near the exit gate. This pond was created in 1983 after a tornado ripped through the woods of the Preserve.
Here, you’ll find a stone pumphouse, stepping stones, and an arbor offering some shade. Keep an eye out for the frogs!
Moss Garden
You may have seen moss in your travels, but probably not to the extent of the moss garden. The cleared area within Penn’s Woods features a plush, soft ground covered in moss. The best part? It doesn’t have to be mowed!
Green Labyrinth
The Green Labyrinth was built in 2015 by two interns, Pamela Gilligan and Kimberly Nolan. It offers visitors a place to meditate as they walk along the spiral design.
Do you enjoy walking a labyrinth? Find another spiral labyrinth in Doylestown, PA, next to the Michener Art Museum.
Enjoy the Trails
There are 4.5 miles of trails throughout the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve.
Some of trails are wider and flatter, suitable for strollers or wheelchairs (marked GREEN on the map).
Others are little more rugged with stairs or rocky inclines. Those are marked BLUE and BLACK on the map.
Birdwatching
The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is home to over 100 bird species throughout the year.
As you walk through the preserve, you may see species like eastern phoebes, warblers, and woodpeckers, to name a few.
Don’t forget to visit the Bird Observatory inside the Visitor Center. There are seats placed next to the large windows, offering visitors the chance to see birds up close.
Shopping at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Nursery
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve was rated one of the top 10 nurseries in the United States!
Over 200 high-quality native species are available for purchase from April through October while the preserve is open.
Twinleaf Book & Gift Shop
Inside the Visitor Center, the Twinleaf Book & Gift shop offers a curated selection of books, botanical gifts, clothing, cards, and more. They also sell a small selection of snacks.
More Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors Near New Hope, PA
Bucks County and Hunterdon County, across the river, have many great locations where you can enjoy being outside.
First, we love Bowman’s Hill Tower, adjacent to the Preserve. When the 125-foot tower offers views up to 14 miles!
Across the Delaware River in Lambertville is the Goat Hill Overlook. An easy half-mile path gives views of New Hope and the surrounding area.
Another fun place to enjoy the outdoors is Bulls Island in New Jersey. However, you’ll want to park at the Lumberville General Store and cross the pedestrian bridge across the Delaware River to access the island.
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