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Places We Protect

Forest Pools Preserve at Kings Gap

Pennsylvania

Close up view of a red backed salamander. A small black amphibian with a red stripe running down the length of its back and tail. It sits nestled amongst green moss and small twigs.
Red-backed salamander A red-backed salamander at The Nature Conservancy's Forest Pools Preserve in Pennsylvania. © Shawn Hickey/TNC

Conserving the Unique Natural Heritage of the South Mountain Vernal Pools

Overview

Description

This treasured pocket of the South Mountain landscape, now part of Kings Gap State Park and Environmental Education Center, serves as a demonstration site for The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to protect the region’s rare vernal pools. These temporary spring wetlands support globally rare salamanders, frogs, insects and other woodland species that rely on them for breeding before the pools dry by summer.

Together with park partners and local landowners, TNC works to restore and safeguard these critically important habitats, which anchor the ecological health and natural heritage of the South Mountain region.

The area also features a mix of hardwood and conifer forests and provides habitat for reptiles such as the box turtle, five‑lined skink, northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake. Kings Gap State Park hosts public programs and workshops throughout the year, offering more ways for visitors to explore and learn.

Please note: camping, motorized vehicles, bicycles and horses are prohibited.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Hours

Daily, from dawn to dusk.

Highlights

Hiking, birding and—per state park rules—hunting.

Size

The original 70‑acre Forest Pools Preserve is now part of the 1,454‑acre Kings Gap State Park.

Explore our work in Pennsylvania

Exploring Vernal Pools

These fleeting spring wetlands are essential nurseries for amphibians and offer a rare glimpse into South Mountain’s seasonal ecology. Visitors can follow marked trails to explore pools, stream corridors and diverse forest habitats.

A bright red bird with black wings and a black tail perches on the end of a short, stubby branch. Green leaves form a thick canopy behind the bird.
A wide mountain stream meanders through a thick forest. A large tree has fallen across the stream forming a natural bridge. Water swirls around the rocks in the stream bed.
A wooden sign marks the way to seasonal vernal pools. Pools 1, 2, 3, 7 with an arrow pointing right is carved into the top of the sign. The bottom reads Pools 4, 5, 6 with an arrow to the left.
A wide mountain stream curves into the distance through a thick forest. The water ripples over stones and fallen branches.
A dozen dark brown tadpoles float beneath the surface of a shallow mountain pool. The surface of the water is dotted with bubbles. The bottom of the pool is lined with leaves.
A water droplet creates a circle of ripples on the surface of a pond. Dark brown tadpoles crowd togethers in the water below the ripple.
A wooden foot bridge crosses a narrow stream in wooded preserve. The shallow stream gently curves through the forest, bending off into the trees on the right. Sunlight dapples the leaf covered forest.
A vernal pool in the middle of a forest. A shallow pool in the middle of the forest reflects the tall trees that surround it. Fallen trees lay on the leaf covered forest floor.
A downy woodpecker perches on the side of a tree. A small black and white bird is viewed in profile in a forest. The bird has a white breast and black mask stripe across its eyes.
Two scarlet tanagers perch in a tree. The birds are bright red with black wings and tails. They each perch on separate branches, one bird sitting just above the other.
A bright red bird with black wings and a black tail perches on the end of a short, stubby branch. Green leaves form a thick canopy behind the bird.

Scarlet Tanager: (Piranga olivacea) In spring and summer, adult males are an unmistakable, brilliant red with black wings and tails. © Matt Kane / TNC

A wide mountain stream meanders through a thick forest. A large tree has fallen across the stream forming a natural bridge. Water swirls around the rocks in the stream bed.

South Mountain Landscape: The woods of Forest Pools Preserve and King's Gap are wet with spring seeps, small natural ponds, and vernal pools found after the spring thaw and rains. © Matt Kane / TNC

A wooden sign marks the way to seasonal vernal pools. Pools 1, 2, 3, 7 with an arrow pointing right is carved into the top of the sign. The bottom reads Pools 4, 5, 6 with an arrow to the left.

Forest Pools: Vernal pools are temporary springtime wetlands that host and nourish globally rare salamanders, frogs and other woodland species before drying up by summertime. © Matt Kane / TNC

A wide mountain stream curves into the distance through a thick forest. The water ripples over stones and fallen branches.

Mountain Stream: Best known for its vernal pools, this preserve also holds quiet beauty in the form of mountain streams weaving through the forest. © Matt Kane / TNC

A dozen dark brown tadpoles float beneath the surface of a shallow mountain pool. The surface of the water is dotted with bubbles. The bottom of the pool is lined with leaves.

Vernal Pool Lifecycle: Vernal pools are vital in the lifecycle of amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, and are at risk of drying earlier in the year due to climate change—impacting reproduction. © Matt Kane / TNC

A water droplet creates a circle of ripples on the surface of a pond. Dark brown tadpoles crowd togethers in the water below the ripple.

Transforms Taking Place: As tadpoles transform into froglets, they grow hind legs, then front legs, absorb their tail, and develop lungs so they can breathe air. © Matt Kane / TNC

A wooden foot bridge crosses a narrow stream in wooded preserve. The shallow stream gently curves through the forest, bending off into the trees on the right. Sunlight dapples the leaf covered forest.

Exploring Vernal Pools: Wooden boardwalks wind through this preserve, giving visitors a closer look at the vernal pools while keeping their delicate inhabitants undisturbed. © Matt Kane / TNC

A vernal pool in the middle of a forest. A shallow pool in the middle of the forest reflects the tall trees that surround it. Fallen trees lay on the leaf covered forest floor.

Fish-Free Zones: Because vernal pools dry up, fish cannot survive in them, making them safe nurseries for amphibian eggs and larvae. © Matt Kane / TNC

A downy woodpecker perches on the side of a tree. A small black and white bird is viewed in profile in a forest. The bird has a white breast and black mask stripe across its eyes.

Downy Woodpecker: (Dryobates pubescens) Adult downy woodpeckers are the smallest of North America's woodpeckers. © Matt Kane / TNC

Two scarlet tanagers perch in a tree. The birds are bright red with black wings and tails. They each perch on separate branches, one bird sitting just above the other.

Birding: Glance up into the canopy and you might catch a glimpse of scarlet tanagers brilliant red against the green treetops. © Matt Kane / TNC

View looking out over a rural valley dotted with farms.
South Mountain Landscape Kings Gap sits astride South Mountain and is included in the South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative that encompasses Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties. © Matt Kane / TNC

Preserve Highlights

In May 2021, TNC transferred 68 acres, including several vernal pools and a stretch of Kings Gap Hollow Run, to Kings Gap State Environmental Education Center, expanding the park to nearly 2,600 acres. Kings Gap Hollow Run also supports native brook trout, a sign of high water quality.

As climate change causes some vernal pools to dry earlier in the season, conserving and restoring these habitats has become increasingly important for the survival of frogs, salamanders and other species that depend on them.

Since acquiring the property in 2007, TNC has worked with DCNR and partners to identify vernal pools for protection, improve surrounding forest health and restore the Sutton Tract. These lands are now permanently protected and in excellent hands with DCNR.

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The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

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