The Montour Preserve offers a wide range of year-round opportunities for free, family-friendly, outdoor activities. With a variety of fields, forests, and streams and features like the sugar shack, fossil pit, boat launch, fishing pier, wildlife observation blinds, visitors’ center / environmental education center, pavilions, children’s play areas, more than seven miles of trails, and more, all centered around the Preserve’s signature feature – the 165-acre Lake Chillisquaque – the Montour Preserve offers something for everyone. Enjoy ice fishing, cross-country skiing, maple sugaring, birding, nature study, photography, fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking, trail running, fossil collecting, quiet reflection … the possibilities are nearly endless!

NOTICE – LAKE CHILLISQUAQUE BOAT LAUNCH TO CLOSE OCTOBER 27 – 30

The Montour Area Recreation Commission will move the Lake Chillisquaque boat dock and fishing pier to winter storage on Tuesday, October 27.

Contractors will begin sealcoating the Heron Cove boat launch parking lot on Tuesday, October 27, and will require the lot’s closure through Friday, October 30. The boat launch will reopen to use on Saturday, October 31.

Lake Chillisquaque will remain open to fishing during this time. Those with kayaks or other lightweight watercraft may hand-carry their watercraft to access the lake at the Goose Cove Overlook or the Heron Cove B parking lot.

NOTICE – LAKE CHILLISQUAQUE DAM SPILLWAY CONSTRUCTION

UNDERWAY FOR 2026 / 2027 SEASONS

Visitors to the Montour Preserve are advised that construction activities will take place on the Lake Chillisquaque Dam spillway during the 2026 and 2027 seasons.  During this time, temporary restrictions will be put in place for select resources at the Montour Preserve, including the closure of a portion of the Chilisuagi Trail between the dam and the Heron Cove Boat Launch parking lot (trail miles 3.25 – 3.7).  Please visit the Spillway Upgrade page to learn more about this project.