Stone Hills Preserve

Stone Hills Preserve Stone Hills Preserve is part of one of the largest contiguous woodlands in Montgomery County.

Known as the Unami Forest, it is a vast, interconnected mosaic of mature forests, rocky outcrops, and more than 24 miles of streams. The high ecological value in this landscape results from an extraordinary combination of overall size, unique forest and meadow plant communities, interior forest nesting bird species, and high quality streams. The property that comprises Stone Hills Preserve was onc

e the home of Frank Hartmaier. Frank was raised there and later lived there with his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter. Frank and Elizabeth shared a deep love for the land and its beauty. In the spring, Stone Hills is filled with ephemeral wildflowers including Virginia bluebell, yellow trout-lily, and spring beauty. But no matter what time of year, the forest trails are a treat for visitors seeking a quiet patch of nature.

The large boulders at Stone Hills Preserve were formed 200 million years ago. As Africa separated from North America, ho...
06/09/2026

The large boulders at Stone Hills Preserve were formed 200 million years ago. As Africa separated from North America, hot magma pushed into the Earth's crust. The magma cooled into a hard volcanic rock called diabase. Over millions of years, weather washed away softer topsoil, exposing the hard rocks. Then, during the Ice Age, freezing and thawing cracked the bedrock into loose boulders you can enjoy on your hike!

📸: Kate Rash

Anyone else think sassafras leaves look like dinosaur footprints?📸: Kate Rash
06/02/2026

Anyone else think sassafras leaves look like dinosaur footprints?

📸: Kate Rash

Did you know a chipmunk can carry more than 165 acorns in a day, stuff its cheeks to three times the size of its head, a...
05/19/2026

Did you know a chipmunk can carry more than 165 acorns in a day, stuff its cheeks to three times the size of its head, and dig burrows up to 30 feet long? Oh, and they're cute, too.

📸: Kristen Cooney

Though often called a "tulip poplar" or "yellow poplar" due to its straight, poplar-like growth, the tuliptree (Lirioden...
05/12/2026

Though often called a "tulip poplar" or "yellow poplar" due to its straight, poplar-like growth, the tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is actually a member of the magnolia family, not the poplar family.

📸: Kristen Cooney

Who else thinks Barn Owls look a little like the Porgs from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? May the Fourth be with you. 📸: S...
05/04/2026

Who else thinks Barn Owls look a little like the Porgs from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? May the Fourth be with you.

📸: Steve Eisenhauer

Vernal pools are temporary wetlands that typically fill with water during the rainy season and dry up in the summer. Thi...
04/30/2026

Vernal pools are temporary wetlands that typically fill with water during the rainy season and dry up in the summer. This unique seasonal cycle creates a habitat for a variety of species, particularly amphibians such as salamanders and frogs. These species rely on vernal pools for breeding and development, as the absence of fish in these pools allows amphibians to thrive without predation on their eggs and larvae.

📸: Caleb Arrowood

While they are typically green, green frogs can also exhibit shades of brown, bronze, or even blue. They have a bright y...
04/23/2026

While they are typically green, green frogs can also exhibit shades of brown, bronze, or even blue. They have a bright yellow throat, especially in males during the breeding season.

📸: Jill Sabre

Ferns are one of the oldest types of plants on Earth, with fossils dating back more than 360 million years. Unlike most ...
04/16/2026

Ferns are one of the oldest types of plants on Earth, with fossils dating back more than 360 million years. Unlike most plants, ferns reproduce through spores instead of flowers or seeds. These tiny, dust-like spores are released from specialized structures called sporangia.

📸: Kristen Henwood

What spring ephemerals have you spotted so far this season?📸: Mae Axelrod
04/09/2026

What spring ephemerals have you spotted so far this season?

📸: Mae Axelrod

Pro tip: focus on the small details in nature as a distraction from the cold. (Spring is coming...!)📸: Leah Evans
02/27/2026

Pro tip: focus on the small details in nature as a distraction from the cold. (Spring is coming...!)

📸: Leah Evans

Address

Laver Road
Schwenksville, PA
19473

Telephone

(610) 353-5587 Ext 505

Website

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