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?

• Milkweeds helped our troops during WWII.

• The death of one of our early presidents' mother is tied to a native plant.

• Native insects are more effective pollinators than European honeybees.

To support your discovery, we offer different types of guided opportunities.

Book Now

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.

Book Now

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.

Access Cart Tours

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve’s Access Cart is a golf cart–style vehicle designed to support visitors with limited mobility who would like a guided experience of the Preserve. Each tour lasts approximately 45–60 minutes and accommodates up to five passengers, in addition to a trained staff driver. Advance reservations are required. To reserve an Access Cart Tour, please contact our education manager at 215.862.2924 ext.102 or education@bhwp.org. Guests with confirmed reservations are encouraged to check in at the Visitor Center at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled tour time.

Explore with Ease

Experience the beauty of the Preserve with greater comfort and accessibility. Our Access Cart Tours are designed to ensure visitors of all mobility levels can enjoy a meaningful and engaging visit.

Who May Benefit from This Service

Access Cart Tours are intended for visitors who may have difficulty walking longer distances, including individuals with mobility challenges, older adults or anyone who would benefit from additional support. The Access Cart does not have a lift so it cannot accommodate a fixed wheelchair.

Capacity

The Access Cart can accommodate up to five passengers, accompanied by a trained staff member who operates the vehicle.

How to Reserve

Advance registration is required. Reservations may be made:

• By phone or email through our education manager; call 215.862.2924 ext.102 or email education@bhwp.org

• In person at the Visitor Center (subject to availability)

We recommend booking at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability and allow staff to prepare for your visit.

Tour Details

• Tours follow a designated route through key areas of the Preserve.

• Duration: approximately 45–60 minutes

• Stops may be included based on visitor interest, time and accessibility considerations.

Important Safety Guidelines

• The cart must be operated at all times by a trained staff member or authorized driver.

• Tour availability may be affected by weather and trail conditions.

• All passengers must remain seated while the cart is in motion.

• If seatbelts are available, all passengers must wear them.

• Service animals are welcome.

• The Access Cart cannot accommodate a fixed wheelchair. Passengers must have the ability to board and deboard themselves or with the support of another member of their party. Preserve staff are not permitted to directly support boarding and deboarding.

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.

• 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.

• 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)