After a hot summer, signs of Autumn are already peaking out as August ends; and there’s no better place to enjoy the cool breeze, changing leaves, and the lively wildlife than the Van Scott Nature Reserve.

The Van Scott Nature Reserve is located in Beach Lake, Wayne County, PA and is managed by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy. The location is the headquarters of the Conservancy and a welcoming, accessible place for people of all ages to learn about, explore, and enjoy nature.

A former dairy farm, the property was first settled in the late 1700s and was purchased by the Van Scotts in 1994. As the stewards of this historic farm, the Conservancy will honor the land and the families who farmed it for generations while welcoming the public to visit, learn about our shared local history, and explore this beautiful Reserve.

The Reserve features more than three miles of publicly accessible walking trails through the forest, wildflower meadows, and wetlands. Within the trail system, the Interpretive Trail follows ten numbered stops along an approximately 1.5-mile loop. Along the way, you’ll visit the Explorer, Woodland, and Butterfly Trails at the 144-acre Reserve, while learning about the wildlife, natural features, scenic views, and the history of the land use on this beautiful property.

The Reserve is also a great place for wildlife viewing! Make your way towards the waterbodies and wetlands to find frogs, turtles, and salamanders. The meadows are perfect for bird watching and serve as a flyway stop for the Bobolink, a bird whose population is rapidly declining due in part to agricultural intensifications and habitat loss.

Interpretive Trail Guides and a map may be picked up at the trailhead kiosk next to the parking area and at stop #1 on the trail. The trail features a grass surface through the meadows and woods and may be considered moderately difficult. In the winter, the trails are open for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The Reserve is open from sunrise to sunset every day. To help us protect clean water and wildlife, dogs are not allowed on the Reserve. The complete Reserve Rules and a downloadable map are available on the Conservancy’s website.

The 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, Wayne County, PA opened to the public in the fall of 2021, and is home to our educational programming. View our complete calendar of upcoming events including guided walks, workshops, and more.

The Conservancy is dedicated to conserving the natural heritage and quality of life in the Upper Delaware River region in partnership with landowners and communities and offers year-round quality educational programs and events to connect people to the land and support a sustainable local economy. Programs like Women and Their Woods, the Green Lodging Partnership, and the popular winter Eagle Watch program with guided bus tours help to foster connections to nature while ensuring that the region’s local farm, forest, and eco-tourism economies are supported by residents and visitors.

With the support of our members and volunteers, we conserve the precious agricultural and forest lands vital to healthy local foods, clean drinking water, biological diversity, outdoor recreation, and to the overall beauty and quality of life we enjoy in the Upper Delaware River region. Learn more about supporting the Conservancy as a volunteer.

The town of Beach Lake is a charming small town worth a stop during your visit! Stop by the Beach Lake Country Café for a quick, family meal! If you’re looking for a change of pace, Narrowsburg New York is a 10 minute drive from the reserve and houses several cute coffee shops, restaurants, and beautiful views of the river where you have a good chance of spotting an eagle! The location is also less than 15 minutes from Honesdale. Check out our previous blog with Prompton State Park to learn about the fun things to do there!

About The Delaware Highlands Conservancy

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is an accredited nonprofit land trust working in the Upper Delaware River region of Pennsylvania and New York. Since the organization was founded in 1994, they have protected more than 18,000 acres of working farms and forests, clean waters, and wildlife habitat.

Share your photos taken at the Van Scott Nature Reserve! Tag us in your pictures on Instagram @DHConservancy using  #vanscottnaturereserve. And don’t forget to follow along on Facebook.