Backpacking and Camping at Hawk Mountain
In early January of 2025, Berks Nature permanently protected the 607-acre Hawk Mountain Scout Reserve. The camp property has offered recreational activities for scouting groups for decades, and hosts both a vast tract of woodland and the headwaters of the Lower Little Swatara Creek. The easement will allow camp activities to continue uninterrupted while also prohibiting all future development on the property’s 504 acres of woodland, balancing the recreational and ecological value of this special place.
The Hawk Mountain Scout Reserve property is situated within the Kittatinny Ridge, a breathtaking stretch of mountainous forest expanding over 185 miles. The importance of this landscape is nationally and locally recognized and considered Pennsylvania’s most climate resilient landscape. The Ridge supports activities like hiking, fishing, and hunting; purifies and safeguards regional drinking water; and sustains biodiversity with its varied mosaic of habitats and as a critical migratory corridor for birds. Despite these extensive assets, the area still faces the pressure of residential and commercial development. Establishing perpetual conservation easements across this landscape helps to safeguard these precious resources.
The Hawk Mountain Scout Reserve is part of a trifecta for recreation as well. The recently protected property is bordered by the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and PA State Game Lands, creating an exceptional nexus of outdoor exploration for the community.
The Scout Reserve serves over 2,000 scouts each summer from Berks and Schuylkill Counties during their 7-week camp. Along with their traditional summer camps, groups may reserve campsites on weekends year-round. National Youth and Adult Leadership trainings are also offered at the Scout Reserve. Attendees can enjoy archery, the ropes course, hiking, fishing, and non-motorized boating on top of the more structured programming.
Places like the Hawk Mountain Scout Reserve inspire and celebrate an appreciation for the natural world that our global community so sorely needs; its protection is a huge win for both the community and wildlife, now and forever.
Financial support for this project was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources through their Community Conservation Partnership Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
About Berks Nature
Berks Nature is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization that has been serving the Berks County community since 1974. We believe that nature is essential to our quality of life.
Our work centers around this value, from land preservation and trail management, to community gardens and environmental education, to our State of the Environment report and summer Eco-Camp; protecting, stewarding, and connecting people to nature and Berks County’s unique mosaic of natural resources.
We welcome your involvement in many ways! Become a Champion of Nature, Volunteer, make a donation, or attend an upcoming program at The Nature Place. Get involved today…your local action can have a global impact. Visit berksnature.org for more info!
