Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve: An Incredible Lancaster County Hike
If you’re looking for a hike that combines creek crossings, rocky scrambles, beautiful scenery, and a great workout, Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve needs to be on your Pennsylvania hiking bucket list.
If you’re planning even more outdoor adventures this summer, don’t miss my Pennsylvania Summer Bucket List, where I’ve rounded up some of my favorite places to explore across the state. ➡️ Pennsylvania Summer Bucket List
Jason and I recently spent a hot, humid summer morning exploring this incredible trail in Lancaster County, and before we even made it back to the parking lot, we were already talking about coming back. Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve quickly became one of our favorite hikes
Kelly’s Run isn’t your typical walk through the woods. This trail keeps you engaged from start to finish with slippery rocks, narrow paths, creek crossings, and some challenging climbs. It’s adventurous, fun, and absolutely worth every step.
☀️ Always Sunny in PA Quick Facts
📍 Location: Holtwood, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
🥾 Trail Length: Approximately 3.8-mile loop
⛰️ Difficulty: Challenging
💧 Trail Highlights: Creek crossings, rocky scrambles, an abandoned metal bridge, beautiful forest scenery, and peaceful stretches of Kelly’s Run
👟 Footwear: Hiking boots or trail shoes with excellent traction are essential.
🐶 Dog Friendly: Yes! Dogs are welcome on a leash.
🌿 Best Season: Spring through Fall
⭐ My Rating: ★★★★★ One of my favorite hikes in Lancaster County!
Why We Chose to Hike Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve
Jason and I are always looking for hikes that feel like an adventure, and Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve checked every box.
Jason and I are always looking for hikes that feel like an adventure, and Kelly’s Run checked every box.
Pennsylvania has so many incredible places to explore, especially if you’re willing to venture beyond the most popular destinations. That’s one of the reasons I love highlighting these lesser-known spots in my Hidden Gems in Pennsylvania series.
We love trails that make us slow down, explore, and occasionally climb over a few rocks. After hearing so many great things about Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve, we knew it was time to see what all the excitement was about.
It didn’t disappoint.
A Trail That Keeps You on Your Toes
From the very beginning, this hike demanded our attention.
Instead of wide, flat trails, we found ourselves carefully picking our way across rocky creek crossings, weaving through the forest, and navigating uneven terrain.
The scenery was absolutely beautiful, but this isn’t the kind of trail where you can put your head down and cruise. Every step requires a little attention, and honestly, that’s one of the things I loved most about it.
One of my favorite parts of the hike was simply splashing around in Kelly’s Run. After hiking in the summer heat and humidity, the cool water felt amazing. Sometimes it’s those simple moments that become your favorite memories.
Tips for Hiking Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve
If there’s one piece of advice I can give, it’s this…
Wear hiking shoes with good traction.
The rocks along Kelly’s Run were much slicker than they looked. Even on a dry day, we found ourselves carefully testing each step before moving forward.
There were a couple of places where I happily accepted Jason’s hand while climbing over the larger rocks. 😄
If you have balance concerns or aren’t comfortable climbing over wet rocks and navigating narrow sections of trail, this may not be the best hike for you.
Kelly’s Run is absolutely worth the effort—but it’s definitely a hike where proper footwear makes all the difference.
☀️ Always Sunny Moment
“We came for the hike, but one of my favorite memories was simply cooling off in the creek before spending the rest of the day exploring Pennsylvania together.”
More Than Just a Beautiful Hike
One thing I loved about Kelly’s Run was that there was always something new to discover. We admired beautiful wildflowers…
This hike reminded me why I love exploring Pennsylvania’s public lands. If you’re looking for even more outdoor adventures, be sure to check out my growing collection of Pennsylvania State Park guides.
We admired beautiful wildflowers, listened to the peaceful sound of the creek, explored an old abandoned metal bridge hidden in the woods, and even spotted an Eastern Box Turtle making its way across the trail.
It never felt repetitive.
Every turn seemed to reveal another reason to stop for a photo.
One thing that made this hike feel even more special was hearing the clip-clop of horse and buggies in the distance while we explored the trail. Every now and then, the sound would drift through the trees, reminding us that we were hiking in the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country.
As we drove the backroads afterward, we passed families making their way home from Sunday church gatherings. Horse-drawn buggies rolled along the country roads, children waved from open wagons, and it felt like we had stepped into a slower pace of life. It was the perfect reminder that sometimes the journey between destinations is just as memorable as the destination itself.
☀️ Make It a Full Day
One of my favorite things about hiking isn’t just the trail itself—it’s seeing where the day takes us afterward. If you’re visiting Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve, I’d encourage you to slow down and spend the rest of the day exploring this beautiful corner of Pennsylvania.
Here’s how our adventure unfolded:
🚗 Take the scenic backroads through Holtwood.
The winding country roads are part of the experience. As we drove, we passed Amish families making their way home from Sunday church gatherings. Hearing horse and buggies throughout the day and watching them travel the quiet backroads made this adventure feel uniquely Pennsylvania.
🌉 Cross the Susquehanna River on Route 372.
Instead of heading home, we crossed into York County and enjoyed the scenic drive through Long Level before making our way to Columbia and Wrightsville.
🥪 Grab dinner at Smith’s Hotel.
After scrambling over rocks and hiking through the summer heat, we were more than ready for dinner. Smith’s Hotel is one of our favorite spots for cheesesteaks, and it was the perfect way to refuel after the hike.
🔥 End the day at the Burning Bridge.
We were lucky enough to visit during Riverfest and watched the historic Burning Bridge event, where all 26 bridge piers were illuminated with fire while visitors walked across the Veterans Memorial Bridge. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
Adventure Tip: Sometimes the best memories happen after the hike is over. Don’t be afraid to take the scenic route, stop in a small town, or discover a local event along the way—you never know what you’ll find.
☀️ Tips Before You Go
✔️ Wear hiking boots or trail shoes with excellent traction.
✔️ Bring plenty of water, especially during the summer.
✔️ Take your time at the creek crossings—the rocks can be very slippery.
✔️ Don’t rush through the hike. There are so many beautiful places to stop and enjoy.
✔️ Bring your camera. Between the creek, wildflowers, wildlife, and old bridge, there are plenty of photo opportunities.
⭐ Worth the Hike?
Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Workout: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dog Friendly: 🐶 Yes
Family Friendly: Best for older kids and experienced hikers.
Would I Hike It Again?
Absolutely.
Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve quickly became one of our favorite hikes in Lancaster County. It’s challenging enough to feel like an adventure, beautiful enough to make you stop every few minutes for another photo, and the perfect reminder that some of Pennsylvania’s best places are hiding just off the beaten path.
If you’re looking for a trail that will challenge you, cool you off, and leave you wanting to come back, Kelly’s Run is definitely worth adding to your hiking bucket list.
🌞 Continue Exploring Pennsylvania
If you enjoyed this adventure, here are a few more places you might like:
🏞️ Pennsylvania Summer Bucket List
🌞 Until Next Time…
Every trail has a story. Every backroad leads somewhere worth discovering. Keep exploring, and I’ll see you on the next Pennsylvania adventure. ☀️
— Carissa | Always Sunny in PA
