Trexler Game Preserve Hike

TREXLER GAME PRESERVE - LEHIGH COUNTY

The Trexler Game Preserve is a large animal preserve with wide open fields and plenty of space for animals to roam. We entered the park from the western end ( taking Route 100 North above Fogelsville)....this way allowed us to drive through fields and meadows and see some wild deer on the way down to the creek area. Be aware that there are road closed signs on this road as the covered bridge is closed but you can still get to the entrance to the park. This area also houses the Lehigh Valley Zoo which is on par with Hersheyparks Zoo America...not that big but a great time for the kids to spend a few hours with small crowds and very close to some of the animals. The highlight of the zoo was feeding the Lorikeets as well as the Kangeroo exhibit that you can walk through.

About a quarter mile down from the Zoo you drive across the Jordan Creek and the entrance to the Elk Trail is on your left! The trail goes about 1 - 1.5 miles up a mountain with overlooks to the zoo and reserve below. The trail is a loop...the right side goes up the mountain and is the way I suggest to start....after you reach the overlook it goes down the mountain and loops back to the water way below the zoo!

Fording the Jordan Creek on the way to the Trail!

Ready to Start The Elk Trail Up The Mountain!!!

Enjoying the Hike!!!

About halfway through the mountain trail I would recommend bushwacking to the right...there is a short woods and then you hit a clearing with tall grasses...you will see a big chain link fence in front of you.....there are Elk in this fenced in area....they may not be viewable in the area you choose but they are there....we tried about three times before we saw them!!! Watch out for ticks here...we all had one on our cloths when we walked back to the trail!

Picnic Break at the Top!!!

The Beautiful Lehigh Valley with The Lehigh Zoo Parking Lot Below!!

To the right of the picnic area the trail goes down the mountain to the covered bridge.....there is a walkway bridge across the Jordan Creek here and it is a perfect place to play in the water and cool down! 

Water Break!

View from the walkway to the Covered Bridge!

A short gravel trail about .25 of a mile back and you are back at your car.....a neat multi-wooden bridge connects you back to the parking area. This is a GREAT area to play with the kids in the creek...crayfish, frogs and many fish are in the creek to explore and this area is very shallow for the most part all the way across the creek the couple times we were here this summer.

The wooden walkway back

Playing in the Creek and Catching Creek Creatures to Look At!

Once back in the car you exit the preserve by going down the road to the right. Along the way there are great views of the Elk again and further up the Bison which are awesome! You will cross the top of the hill with the overlook and then go down the road through woods and exit the preserve.

Viewing the Male Elk!!!

Cool Bison and very Close!!

Close Enough to Touch!!

Overview:  A great place to visit for the day...drive through the park...see the zoo...hike the trail...play in the creek...see the animals on the way out....Perfect!