Springlawn Trail

Be ready to go at 10:00 for a 4 1/2  mile hike along a shaded path along the Big Elk Creek.  This dirt/gravel trail is mostly flat.  There is no parking fee, however, the parking area is limited so carpooling is encouraged.

Driving directions: Proceed North of Newark, DE on Rt. 896 (New London Rd.),  turn Left at the 4 way stop on Rt. 841 (Chesterville Rd.).  Follow Rt 841 for 3 miles to the parking area on the Left.   Suggested carpool from Daddy’s Kitchen located on the Left at 1765 New London Rd, Kemblesville, PA.

From 896 at the DE/MD/PA state lines, proceed north on PA-896 for 0.8 mi. Turn left onto Srickersville Rd and proceed 4.5 mi. You will cross Appleton Rd about 1/3 of the way along this road. At the dead-end with PA-841, turn right and proceed 0.7 mi. The parking lot will be on your right, before the Big Elk bridge.

Originally preserved by Elk Township and conservation groups.  It is part of close to 1,000 acres along Springlawn Road in Elk, Franklin and New London townships, Chester County.  It was acquired by PA-DCNR in 2018 as an addition to the White Clay Creek Preserve and was known as “White Clay Creek State Preserve – Springlawn”.  BEC became it’s own PA State park in 2022.