Overview
Nolde Forest encompasses more than 725 acres of deciduous woodlands and coniferous plantations. A network of trails makes the center’s streams, ponds, and diverse habitats accessible to both students and visitors.
Teaching stations offer places for students to work and benches for those who wish to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the natural world.
ADA accessible trails are located at the Nolde Mansion and historic sawmill.
The Nolde Mansion houses the park office including offices for the center staff.
A garden featuring native wildflowers and a fountain is adjacent to the mansion. Rhododendron planted by the Nolde Family offer year-round greenery.
The C.H. McConnell Environmental Education Hall adjacent to the mansion is the indoor classroom for educational programming.
Environmental Education
Pennsylvania State Parks are living outdoor classrooms with plenty of opportunities for visitors to investigate natural phenomena. Nolde Forest is one of several state parks specifically dedicated to providing environmental education. Utilizing our natural, historical, and recreational resources, we work to foster environmental literacy and stewardship in youth and adults alike.
Plan Your Visit
3025 New Holland Road
Reading, PA 19607-9448
610-796-3699
noldeforestsp@pa.gov
Currently, this park has no reservable facilities.
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset.
The office and mansion parking lot are open 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.
Nolde Forest is in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on PA 625, two miles south of PA 724 or three miles north of PA 568. The park office is located on Park Office Lane.
GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 40.2756 Long. -75.9495
Call 911 and contact a park employee to summon medical, fire, or safety professionals.
Call or text 988 to contact a crisis center counselor during a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
Directions to the nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards and at the park office.
Nearest Hospital
Reading Hospital
6th Avenue and Spruce Street
West Reading, PA 19611
866-988-4377
♿ This symbol indicates facilities and activities that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible for people with disabilities. Screen reader users will hear this symbol as "wheelchair."
Accessible recreation options are listed on the accessibility page.
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.
Cell service is unpredictable in and around many Pennsylvania State Parks. Please download the park map before your visit.
Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center offers a wide variety of environmental education programs year-round. Gain a better understanding of the park’s natural, cultural, and historical resources through diverse program offerings. Nolde Forest also strives to teach outdoor skills that lead to healthy, lifelong outdoor enjoyment.
What We Offer
Public Programs: Guided outdoor recreation, hands-on activities, outdoor education, and special events for all ages.
Group Learning Opportunities:
- School groups can schedule standards-aligned, inquiry-based environmental education programs by contacting the park. We encourage scheduling at least three months in advance as available dates fill quickly. Options are offered for field experiences and in-school lessons.
- Organized groups can schedule a wide variety of inquiry-based outdoor education programs by contacting the park. We encourage scheduling early as available dates fill quickly.
Educator Opportunities: A wide-variety of standards-aligned professional development trainings are available for formal and non-formal educators.
Ready to learn? Contact the park or explore the DCNR Calendar of Events for the latest offerings.
A two-plug, electric vehicle charging station is available for public use in the Sawmill Parking Lot.
Please move to another parking space once your vehicle has been charged.
Any for-profit photography sessions held within the park require a license. Licenses, along with prior approval, eliminate conflicts with other, prescheduled park activities and support your Pennsylvania state parks.
Contact the park office a minimum of two weeks prior to any proposed photography session to process the required license.
Find nearby attractions by Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.
