The Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge offers access to 16 trails, including the Appalachian Trail and D&L Trail, with 10 of these trails residing on LGNC property. The Lehigh & New England Trail shadows the D&L Trail for 2.75 miles, providing a beautiful view of the Lehigh River from above. Sections of this trail are also accessible for biking and horseback riding. Three Ponds Trail is a short ¼ mile loop offering access to a variety of habitats and wildlife. The Charcoal Trail offers an interesting glimpse into history, with remnants of charcoal pits used in the past for charcoal preparation, giving the trail its namesake. Bypass Trail and the Appalachian Trail provide beautiful views of the surrounding area and great locations for bird watching. Detailed maps and trail guides can be found on LGNC’s website.
The researchers at Lehigh Gap Nature Center do an incredible job of maintaining a list of all the different animals that have been confirmed to be observed at the wildlife refuge. From snapping turtles to frogs, opossums to otters, LGNC has observed 14 reptiles, 15 amphibians, 23 mammals, 5 fish, 109 insects, and a whole 181 birds! There’s a whole host of creatures waiting to be found, so if you enjoy watching nature (at a distance), then this is the place to explore!
Lehigh Gap Nature Center is a restored Superfund site now home to over 200 native plant species. Its diverse habitats—including meadows, wetlands, and woodlands—support a wide range of grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Notable plants include little big and little bluestem, prairie dropseed, milkweed (essential for monarchs), and wild bleeding heart, which thrives in large numbers on the Refuge. Shrubs like mountain pepperbush and Allegheny chinquapin, as well as wetland species like American sweet flag, contribute to the region’s biodiversity. These native species play a key role in habitat restoration, erosion control, and supporting pollinators and wildlife. Check out their native Sensory Garden surrounding the Osprey House, their visitor center. The garden is filled with flowers, pollinators and birds throughout the growing season. Rent a kids Adventure Backpack from the Osprey House and go exploring!
Once a barren Superfund site scarred by decades of industrial pollution from zinc smelting, the land that is now Lehigh Gap Nature Center holds a remarkable story of transformation. Located where the Lehigh River cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge, this area has served as a natural corridor for wildlife and people for thousands of years, from the Indigenous Lenape people to its role as a coal transportation route during America’s industrial rise. In the 20th century, emissions from the New Jersey Zinc Company left over 3,000 acres poisoned and lifeless. In 2002, a group of visionary volunteers began reclaiming the damaged landscape, establishing LGNC as the nation’s only nature center created on a Superfund site. Using native prairie grasses to stabilize toxic soils and restore habitat, LGNC sparked an award-winning ecological revival. Today, visitors can explore a landscape once considered dead, now vibrant with wildlife and rooted in a powerful story of regeneration and community action. Become a member or volunteer at LGNC to support their mission, or check out their website and register for an upcoming event.
Lehigh Gap Nature Center and Wildlands Conservancy collaborate closely on conservation, education, and habitat restoration throughout the Lehigh Valley, working to keep the Lehigh River Watershed as well-maintained and sustainable as possible. As partners in the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape, our organizations work together to enhance natural resources and promote outdoor recreation. Our joint initiatives include watershed education programs like river camps and bike-and-boat adventures, as well as support for LGNC’s Landscaping for Communities and Wildlife program, which encourages native planting and sustainable landscaping. Together, we aim to protect the Kittatinny Ridge and foster environmental stewardship across the region.
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