Tour the Preserve
Welcome to the nation's only accredited botanical museum dedicated to native plants!
Whether it’s on your own or with a group, we hope you enjoy discovering the natural treasures that await you. We may be well known for our spring ephemerals, but there is true magic and color to be enjoyed during every season. New plants steal the spotlight as we transition from spring to summer to fall. Careful observers might catch the rich and vital connection of our native fauna and flora in action, as pollinators of all kinds visit the flowers they have come to rely on. We encourage every visitor, if they can, to take a tour with one of our Interpretive Naturalist. These docents of our collections will guide you through the Preserve and share the deep cultural and ecological history of our native plants.
Did you know?
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Milkweeds helped our troops during WWII.
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The death of one of our early presidents' mother is tied to a native plant.
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Native insects are more effective pollinators than European honeybees.
To support your discovery, we offer different types of guided opportunities.
Public Guided Walks
Available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in April – October
Offered at 11:00 am AND/OR 2 pm (depending on naturalist availability)
These walks will last 1 - 1.5 hours and depart from the Visitor Center.
Join our talented Interpretive Naturalists as they guide you on a gentle walk on our trails. While we meander, we will discuss the Preserve, its history, its habitats (exhibits) and highlight the various seasonal blooms that decorate our trail. Spring, summer and fall each offer unique plants and animals to highlight. Preserve staff and our talented volunteer Interpretive Naturalists lead the tours. Tours leave from the Visitor Center, weather permitting, with a minimum of two and a maximum of 16 guests. Spots are first-come, first-served for individuals or families of five or less.
Private Group Tour
We welcome groups of all kinds; garden clubs, nature organizations, businesses, schools, scouts and more to schedule a private tour experience. Preserve staff and our talented volunteer Interpretive Naturalists lead the tours, which can be tailored to the interests and abilities of the participants.
Available for groups of up to 50 people. Tours are available Tuesdays – Fridays from April through October, depending on the availability of staff and our naturalists. Saturday and Sunday tours are available on a limited basis. Tours typically last 60-90 minutes and topics and fees vary. We require a $75.00 deposit and at least one month's notice to book a tour. For more information or to reserve a tour, call 215.862.2924 or email education@bhwp.org
Self-Guided Tour
Self-guided groups are welcomed and encourage at the Preserve. We do, however, ask that organized groups contact our education coordinator in advance of their visit to provide logistics about their visit. This helps us coordinate your visit with other ongoing events, programs, tours and possible trail closures. Self-guided groups pay regular admission fees and have full access to all open areas of the Preserve. Call 215.862.2924 or email education@bhwp.org for details.
STQRY Tour App - Coming April 2026
While a naturalist might not always be available to guide you through our native plant museum, we still hope that you will embark on a guided tour. By downloading our app, you can embark on one of two tour possibilities, either at the Preserve or from the comfort of your own home.
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Native Tree Tour: In 1944, just 10 years after the establishment of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, one of our major exhibits was established. Named Penn’s Woods, it was the first memorial reforestation idea in the state. Today, you can see many of those memorial trees marked with brown and silver tags. This guided audio tour takes visitors through our forest habitat, free from the pressures of our state mammal, the white-tailed deer, and allows you to experience what the forests of Pennsylvania could look like. Along the way, our guide will introduce you to some of the marvelous trees that call Pennsylvania home.
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Historical Highlights of the Preserve: Throughout the Preserve’s history, its various exhibits and areas of interest have undergone several changes. Take a walk through our slice of Pennsylvania and learn about our history, the amazing people who built us, and the perennial gems that make us a destination for all seasons. (Coming 2026)
