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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What hours and days is Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve open?
A.  The Preserve is open daily (seven days a week) year-round. (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.) The grounds are open from 8:30 a.m. to sunset, and the Visitor Center and Twinleaf Shop are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Q.  Where are you located?
A.  The Preserve is conveniently located in southeastern Pennsylvania in Bucks County, about 40 miles northeast of Philadelphia. Click here for directions and maps.

Q.  Is there an admission charge?
A.  Members of the Preserve are admitted free, one of many member benefits. For non-members the fee is: Adults- $5, Seniors (62 and older)- $3, Children 4 through 14- $2, Fulltime students [with ID]-$3, Children under 4- free. Admission revenue directly supports the operating expenses of the Preserve.

Admission includes unlimited access to the Preserve grounds and facilities for the day, as well as a guided tour, offered daily at 2 p.m. from April through October.

Q.  Do you have parking on-site? Is there a parking fee?
A.  There is ample, free on-site parking at the Preserve.

Q.When is the best time of year to see the wildflowers?
A.  You'll see a selection of our native wildflowers, trees, shrubs and vines in bloom at the Preserve from early spring through fall. To enjoy the most abundant show of what many of our visitors think of as the "wow!" wildflower show, we recommend visiting the last two weeks of April through the beginning of June. Our Spring Garden Gala 'Wild about Flowers', as well as our Spring Plant Sale, are timed to take advantage of the exuberance of spring. We do encourage you to visit often to experience the dynamically changing natural beauty throughout the year.

To learn more about what's flowering, check out the feature "What's in Bloom" and the Seasonal Bloom Guides.

Q.What will I see the rest of the year?
A.  The spring display is followed by a calmer period, with plenty of interesting wildflowers, but in fewer numbers than spring. Around mid- to the end of July, a new wave of summer wildflowers appears, especially in our meadow. We hold another special event, "Community Open House Day", to coincide with the appearance of these wildflowers.

At the season's finale-mid to late August through frost--you'll walk among pockets of richly colored fall flowers, dramatic native grasses and glorious trees and shrubs in their brilliant fall foliage.

To learn more about what's flowering, check out the feature "What's in Bloom" and the Seasonal Bloom Guides.

Q.  What can I do at the Preserve?
A.  Explore the well-marked trails on your own, take a guided walking tour, hike, birdwatch, sit and relax, get ideas for your home garden from the Native Plant Display Garden, attend classes, lectures, workshops, field trips and special events, buy native plants and native plant seeds, take photographs, paint scenic views or wildflower close-ups.

Q.  Do you offer anything that would be interesting for children?
A.  Children love walking on the trails and discovering the plants, birds and animals of the Preserve first-hand. The guided tour is perfect for kids (and adults, too). If you'd rather walk around on your own, check out "A Children's Guide to Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve" from the Twinleaf Shop. Kids especially like the pond, with its turtles and frogs. Indoors, make sure to see the Bird Observatory and the Platt Collection of mounted birds, nests and eggs.

We also offer tours for school groups. For more information, click here.

Q.  Do you close for the winter?
A.  The Preserve is open year-round, seven days a week, including all winter. (Closed only Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.) The Preserve does close on those infrequent occasions when there is a severe snowstorm predicted or in progress. To find out if we are closed, call the Preserve at (215) 862-2924 and a staff person or recorded message will update you.

Q.  Is there anything to do at the Preserve if it's snowing, raining or just too hot to be outside?
A.  Many visitors actually enjoy walking on the grounds in light rain or snow. The quiet, beauty of winter offers a peaceful and rejuvenating break from the hustle-bustle of daily life. One of our visitors' favorite activities during the winter is to attend the Winter Lecture Series. Each Sunday afternoon in January and February, an interesting speaker gives a slide presentation about native plants and related topics. Walk-in attendees are welcome, although we recommend pre-registration to make sure we reserve a place for you. For more about the Winter Lecture Series, click here.

Regardless of the weather, we invite you to come into the Visitor Center. Here, you'll find exhibits, free information about native plants, a bird observatory, a small museum (the Platt Collection of mounted birds, nests and eggs), wildflower videos to watch, the Twinleaf Shop and more. To find out more about the Visitor Center, click here.

Q.  Is the Preserve handicapped-accessible?
A.  The main floor of the Visitor Center, its restrooms and the parking lot are handicapped-accessible. One trail also is handicapped-accessible. For more information about accessibility, click here.

Q.  Can I take a stroller on the trails?
A.  The paved main pedestrian road and Wood's Edge Walk can readily accommodate strollers. For information about accessibility of other trails, click here.

Q.  Can I bring my dog?
A.  Sorry, pets aren't allowed (even on leash) within the fenced part of the Preserve.

Q.  Can I ride my bicycle in the Preserve?
A.  No bicycling is allowed on or off the trails, as a courtesy to others and to protect the grounds. You can ride your bicycle up to the Visitor Center and park it in the rack provided.

Q.  Do you have picnic grounds?
A.  Yes, you're welcome to picnic in the designated areas located just past the entrance to the Preserve grounds, in the Captain James Moore Pavilion and adjacent grassy area. To find out more about the picnic area, or about renting the Moore Pavilion for a group, click here.

Q.  Do you sell food?
A.  Sorry, we don't sell food at the Preserve. A machine with soda/bottled water for sale and a drinking fountain are available. You'll find restaurants and convenience stores in nearby New Hope--the volunteer in our Visitor Center can direct you.

Q.  Do you sell plants and seeds? If so, can I get them mailed to me?
A.  The Preserve sells plants and seed native to Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. Plants are available only at the Preserve; seeds are available by mail or at the Preserve. For more information, including seed and plant catalogs, click here.

Q.  I want to find out more about growing native plants in my home garden--Can you help me get started?
A.  Start with our website, especially the following: About Native Plants, Why Should I Garden with Native Plants, the Native Plant Info Sheets and Horticultural FAQ's. Visit the Preserve, take a guided tour, check out the Visitor Center Display Garden and the books for sale in the Twinleaf Shop, come to the Spring and Fall Native Plant Sales, and use our library.

Q.  Do you sell books and souvenirs?
A.  The Twinleaf Shop is conveniently located on the main floor of the Visitor Center. You can buy books about native plants and selected nature-oriented items. For more about the Shop, click here.

Q.  Are you a state park? Are you supported by the state?
A.  Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve is not a state park. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, managed by the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, Inc. in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The Preserve is a member-supported organization, and relies on revenue from memberships, admission fees, plant sales and our Shop to continue providing high-quality programs and services, and to protect the Pennsylvania native plants with which we are entrusted.

The Preserve is located on land owned by the state and as such, the state is responsible for certain aspects of the physical property.

Q.  How can I find out about becoming a member of the Preserve?
A.  Preserve members receive many benefits. To learn about membership benefits and to join, please click here.

Q.  What else can I do when I'm in the area?
A.  Buck County, where the Preserve is located, and nearby Philadelphia offer plenty of activities for families and individuals. From beautiful gardens to historical sites to cultural events, to shopping, you're sure to find much that suits your fancy. For more about Nearby Attractions, click here.

Q.  Do you offer classes?
A.  The Preserve educational programs include a full spectrum of classes, guided tours, field trips, lectures, symposia, exhibits and special events throughout the year. For general descriptions of these programs, click here. For specific dates and details about currently scheduled programs, check the Calendar of Events.

Q.  Do you offer programs for school groups?
A.  Visits to the Preserve are very popular with school groups of all ages. We offer a variety of programs that can be tailored to the needs of your group. For more information, click here.

Q.  Do you offer programs for landscape professionals?
A.  The Preserve’s annual Land Ethics Symposium, held in February, focuses on native plant landscaping and provides an outstanding opportunity to meet and share with colleagues. Click here to read more about it.

The Preserve also has launched the Plant Stewardship Index (PSI), an analytical tool for land management and stewardship geared primarily toward conservationists, land managers, property owners, but which landscape professionals may find useful.  Click here to learn more about the PSI.

The Preserve affiliates with the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference through exhibits and presentations. This Conference, held each June at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, offers programs for professionals as well as home gardeners. For more information, visit www.millersvillenativeplants.org.

Q.  Do you provide speakers for garden clubs and other organizations?
A.  Yes, we can present off-site slide programs for your group. For more information, click here.

Q.  Can motorcoach tours come to visit?
A.  Yes, we welcome motorcoach/bus tours, with a 60-person maximum at one time. We offer guided tours, and have picnic facilities. For more information, click here to contact the Preserve via e-mail or call at (215) 862-2924 and ask for the Education Coordinator.

Q.  Can I rent the Preserve for a wedding/reunion/party?
A.  Yes, the Preserve has an open-sided Pavilion and a small gazebo available to rent. Click here to find out more about rental facilities.

Q.  Can I volunteer at the Preserve?
A.  Yes, volunteers are the heartbeat of the Preserve, and we have many opportunities for lending a hand. To find out more and to apply, click here.

Q.  Do you offer internships?
A.  Yes, we have summer internships for qualified applicants who want to learn about native plants and public gardens. To find out more about the program and to apply, click here.