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Places We Protect

Chrome Barrens

Pennsylvania

Misty view of an open field scattered with trees at varying stages of height and growth. A tree covered mountain rises in the distance.
Chrome Barrens Chrome Barrens of Pennsylvania, part of the largest Serpentine Barrens in the United States. © The Nature Conservancy

The Chrome Barrens are part of the largest occurrence of serpentine barrens in the eastern U.S.

Overview

Description

Chrome Barrens Preserve is made up of two, non-contiguous tracts—Upper and Lower Chrome. Elk Township owns Upper Chrome, while TNC holds a management agreement on the Weaver Tracts on the east side of Barren Road and owns the smaller 63-acre Lower Chrome. Chrome Barrens is part of the State Line Serpentine Barrens, the largest occurrence of serpentine barrens—extremely rare areas characterized by thin soil and bare, light green rock—in the eastern United States. 

Chrome Barrens was formerly known as the State Line Mining district due to the chromium, feldspar and magnesite mining that took place at various sites in the 19th century.  The sun-baked conditions on bare serpentine rock and gravel create desert-like habitat for rare and unusual plant species that are especially adapted to withstand heat and drought. Despite lacking nutrients, this habitat supports numerous species—many rare or endangered—that have adapted to the harsh environment over thousands of years.

Special thanks to Elk Township and the Friends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens for their ongoing efforts and assistance in updating, maintaining and managing this site.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Please be aware this preserve has no restroom facilities.

Highlights

Contact the Friends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens for information about workdays and guided hikes, at 717-352-7936. Please be prepared with drinking water during your visit as temperatures in the barrens can be as much as 10-15 degrees hotter than the surrounding forests.

Size

340 acres

Explore our work in Pennsylvania

Visitor Information

  • Hiking

    Explore the Chrome Barrens on several miles of scenic hiking trails. These trails wind through unique habitats and landscapes, including historic mine roads, cedar and pine forests, and the barrens themselves. The harsh conditions in the barrens have shaped a distinctive landscape, which tends to be 10-15 degrees warmer than the surrounding preserve area.

    Birding

    While visiting, you might notice Eastern bluebirds, Northern cardinals and Towhee. Keep an eye or ear out for migrant birds—colorful and often quite vocal—as you explore the area.

  • There is so much fascinating flora and fauna that call Chrome Barrens home.

    Animals

    • Spring: During spring, keep an eye out for migrant birds like Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals, and Towhees. These colorful avian visitors add vibrancy to the landscape.
    • Late Summer: As summer transitions to fall, the butterfly season peaks. Look for several winged butterfly species, including the Red-banded Hairstreak, Cobweb Skipper, Barrens Buckmoth, Mottled Duskywing, and Dusted Skipper.
    • Fall: The fall season brings a riot of colors as the foliage changes. Enjoy the vibrant hues of the changing leaves.

    Plants

    The Chrome Barrens’ unique habitat—sun-baked serpentine rock and gravel—supports rare and unusual plant species adapted to withstand heat and drought. Here are some remarkable plants to discover:

    • Serpentine aster: This species is exclusive to the serpentine barrens in Pennsylvania and Maryland and can be found nowhere else in the world. Its nearly leafless, red-colored flower stalks and ground-hugging rosette help it thrive in harsh conditions.
    • Long-haired Barrens Chickweed: A delicate flowering plant that adds beauty to the landscape.
    • Glade Spurge: Look for this unique spurge species with its distinctive appearance.
    • Fameflower: Like a cactus, it is a true succulent, tolerating heat and drought by storing water in stems and pads.

  • While visiting West Branch Forest Preserve please:

    • Take precautions against ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers and sunburn.
    • Take precautions against rattlesnakes in warm weather.
    • Wear sturdy footwear.
    • Tuck pant legs into socks/shoes to avoid ticks.
    • Apply insect repellant and sun protection.
    • Bring drinking water.
    • Watch for poison ivy.
    • Stay on marked trails.
    • Remove all litter.
    • Please leave pets at home.
    • Enjoy nature!

    Please avoid:

    • Feeding or disturbing wildlife.
    • Releasing animals or introducing plants.
    • Bringing motorized vehicles, ATVs, bicycles, or horses.
    • Bringing alcohol.
    • Camping.

  • We are creating a community science database of all kinds of life—from lichens to ants, mushrooms to plants, birds to mammals and everything in between for our preserves in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

    TNC’s roots began with local citizens and scientists concerned about special places and species. That legacy continues today. Across our lands, we are utilizing iNaturalist—a digital platform that gives users an opportunity to share and discuss their findings.

    Of the 14 preserve projects in iNaturalist, nine have observations recorded; help us increase that number and our understanding of the species—good and bad, native as well as invasive—that can be found on TNC lands across the state. This information can also help guide and inform our conservation staff’s management and monitoring decisions.

Views of the Chrome Barrens

The Chrome Barrens’ unique habitat—sun-baked serpentine rock and gravel—supports several rare species adapted to withstand heat and drought.

A five point pink flower grows out of rocks.
A gray butterfly with orange winged tips perches on white flowers.
A tall flower with a yellow center and white pedals grows against a green background.
Two bluebirds sit on a mossy log.
A five point pink flower grows out of rocks.

Fameflower: These drought resistance flowers flourish at the Chrome Barrens. © Alan Cressler

A gray butterfly with orange winged tips perches on white flowers.

Red-banded hairstreak: These butterflies can be spotted at Chrome Barrens in the late summer. © Tim Mooney/TNC

A tall flower with a yellow center and white pedals grows against a green background.

Serpentine Aster: Serpentine aster is a nationally rare species, only found on serpentine soils. © George C. Gress

Two bluebirds sit on a mossy log.

Eastern Bluebirds: Bluebirds are one of the migratory bird species that can be seen and heard at the Chrome Barrens. © Steve Byland/Shutterstock

Explore Nature

Need more nature? Visit some of TNC's other preserves in Pennsylvania.

Find More Places We Protect

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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