The estate was once owned by Jacob Nolde, a textile manufacturer who began reforestation efforts on the land in 1903.
The forest contains non-native European Larch and Norway Spruce stands planted by Nolde to transform abandoned farmland into a timber-producing forest.
The Sawmill area is situated near historical water-management features constructed during the early 20th century.
Nolde Forest was the first environmental education center established by the Pennsylvania state park system.
The park maintains a network of crushed-stone trails specifically designed for hikers and cyclists, avoiding motorized vehicle access.
Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center is a 665-acre state park in Reading, Pennsylvania, characterized by its extensive coniferous plantations and deciduous woodlands. The Sawmill Trail is a prominent feature of the park's internal trail network, traversing historical forestry sites and local topography. Originally the estate of George Nolde, the land features a mix of managed forest types and diverse aquatic habitats. The site is part of a larger Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources system managed for environmental education and outdoor recreation. Visitors have access to a network of trails that connect the mansion area, the sawmill site, and various wetland ecosystems. The park serves as a hub for ecological research and public nature programming.
The bridge crossing the stream near the Sawmill site, offering a view of the water and surrounding forest canopy.
Download the digital trail map before arrival, as cell service can be inconsistent within the deeper forest valleys.
Wear waterproof footwear if visiting after rainfall, as the low-lying areas near the sawmill and streams are prone to muddy conditions.
Combine the Sawmill trail with the Mansion trail to experience both the historical industrial architecture and the landscaped gardens.
Do not attempt to enter or climb on the historical sawmill foundations as the stone structures are aged and unstable.
Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive forest floor habitats; pack out all trash.
