List of Pennsylvania state forest natural areas

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A stand of white birch trees in Marion Brooks Natural Area, an example of the types of ecosystem protected by the Commonwealth Benezette Township Flaky.jpg
A stand of white birch trees in Marion Brooks Natural Area, an example of the types of ecosystem protected by the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States includes 58 natural areas in its State Forest system. [1] They are managed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, a division of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Commonwealth describes a natural area as a location with "scenic, historic, geologic or ecological significance, which will remain in an undisturbed state, with development and maintenance being limited to that required for health and safety. Natural areas are set aside to provide locations for scientific observation of natural systems, to protect examples of typical and unique plant and animal communities, and to protect outstanding examples of natural interest and beauty." [2] Many such areas are only accessible on foot, and several do not have any maintained hiking trails. [1]

This list does not include additional natural areas that are protected within the Pennsylvania State Park system.

Natural area name   State forest County Area Date
founded  		Remarks  
Alan Seeger Natural Area Rothrock Huntingdon 390 acres (158 ha)1921Named after the poet who died during World War I. Includes old growth forest remnants. [3] [4]
Algerine Swamp Natural Area Tiadaghton Lycoming, Tioga 84 acres (34 ha)Includes a glacial bog. [5] [6]
Anders Run Natural Area Cornplanter Warren 96 acres (39 ha)1987Includes a stone house built in 1841. [7] [8]
Bark Cabin Natural Area Tiadaghton Lycoming 7 acres (3 ha)Traversed by the Mid State Trail; features old growth hemlocks. [6] [9]
Bear Meadows Natural Area Rothrock Centre 890 acres (360 ha)1965Also a National Natural Landmark. [3] [10]
Bear Run Natural Area Bald Eagle Centre 32 acres (13 ha) [11] [12]
Beartown Woods Natural Area Michaux Franklin 27 acres (11 ha)Accessible via the Appalachian Trail. [13] [14]
Big Flat Laurel Natural Area Rothrock Centre, Huntingdon 184 acres (74 ha) [3] [15]
Black Ash Swamp Natural Area Tioga Tioga 308 acres (125 ha) [16] [17]
Bruce Lake Natural Area Delaware Pike 2,845 acres (1,151 ha)Includes both a natural glacial lake and a man-made lake. [18] [19]
Buckhorn Natural Area Delaware Pike 535 acres (217 ha)Also a designated Reptile and Amphibian Protection Area. [18] [20]
Carbaugh Run Natural Area Michaux Adams 780 acres (316 ha)Also a designated Reptile and Amphibian Protection Area, and founded to protect Native American archeological sites. [13] [21]
Charles F. Lewis Natural Area Gallitzin Indiana 384 acres (155 ha)Named after an area journalist and conservationist. [22] [23]
Cranberry Swamp Natural Area Sproul Clinton 144 acres (58 ha)Encompasses a boreal swamp. [24] [25]
David R. Johnson Natural Area William Penn Bucks 56 acres (23 ha)Named for its former landowner. [26] [27]
Detweiler Run Natural Area Rothrock Huntingdon 463 acres (187 ha)Also a designated Important Bird Area. [3] [28]
Devil's Elbow Natural Area Loyalsock Lycoming 404 acres (163 ha)Protects a population of pitcher plants. [29] [30]
East Branch Swamp Natural Area Sproul Clinton 186 acres (75 ha) [24] [31]
Forrest H. Dutlinger Natural Area Susquehannock Clinton 1,521 acres (616 ha)Named after an early Commonwealth forester; includes old growth forest remnants. [32] [33]
Frank E. Masland Natural Area Tuscarora Perry 1,270 acres (514 ha)Also a designated Reptile and Amphibian Protection Area. [34] [35]
Halfway Run Natural Area Bald Eagle Union 407 acres (165 ha) [11] [36]
Hemlocks Natural Area Tuscarora Perry 120 acres (49 ha) [34] [37]
The Hook Natural Area Bald Eagle Union 5,119 acres (2,072 ha)Encompasses an entire regional watershed. [11] [38]
Hoverter and Sholl Box Huckleberry Natural Area Tuscarora Perry 10 acres (4 ha)1967Features a rare box huckleberry colony believed to be more than 1,300 years old. [34] [39]
Jakey Hollow Natural Area Weiser Columbia 59 acres (24 ha)1990 [40] [41]
Johnson Run Natural Area Elk Cameron 216 acres (87 ha) [42] [43]
Joyce Kilmer Natural Area Bald Eagle Union 77 acres (31 ha)1921Named after the poet and naturalist. [11] [44]
Kettle Creek Gorge Natural Area Loyalsock Sullivan 774 acres (313 ha)1970Traversed by the Loyalsock Trail. [29] [45]
Lebo Red Pine Natural Area Tiadaghton Lycoming 124 acres (50 ha)Encompasses an uncommon (for Pennsylvania) unplanted grove of red pines. [6] [46]
Little Juniata Natural Area Rothrock Huntingdon 624 acres (253 ha) [3] [47]
Little Mud Pond Swamp Natural Area Delaware Pike 182 acres (74 ha)Encompasses a boreal swamp. [18] [48]
Little Tinicum Island Natural Area William Penn Delaware 80 acres (32 ha)An island in the Delaware River. [26] [49]
Lower Jerry Run Natural Area Elk Cameron 892 acres (361 ha) [42] [50]
Marion Brooks Natural Area Moshannon Elk 975 acres (395 ha)Named after an area conservationist. Includes one of the largest known stands of white birch trees in the eastern United States. [51] [52]
Meeting of the Pines Natural Area Michaux Franklin 611 acres (247 ha)1974Adjacent to the Penn State Mont Alto campus. [13] [53]
Miller Run Natural Area Tiadaghton Lycoming 4,992 acres (2,020 ha) [6] [54]
M.K. Goddard/Wykoff Run Natural Area Elk Cameron 1,215 acres (492 ha)1965Features industrial ruins from nuclear research in the 1950s-60s. Partially renamed in the 2010s as a tribute to Maurice K. Goddard. [42] [55]
Mount Cydonia Ponds Natural Area Michaux Franklin 183 acres (74 ha)Encompasses about 60 vernal ponds. [13] [56]
Mount Davis Natural Area Forbes Somerset 581 acres (235 ha)Includes the highest point in Pennsylvania. [57] [58]
Mount Logan Natural Area Bald Eagle Clinton 512 acres (207 ha)Also a designated Reptile and Amphibian Protection Area. [11] [59]
Pennel Run Natural Area Delaware Pike 936 acres (379 ha) [18] [60]
Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area Tioga Tioga 12,163 acres (4,922 ha)1968Also a National Natural Landmark; largest of the State Forest Natural Areas. Traversed by the West Rim Trail and Pine Creek Rail Trail. [16] [61]
Pine Lake Natural Area Delaware Pike 67 acres (27 ha) [18] [62]
Pine Ridge Natural Area Buchanan Bedford 568 acres (230 ha)1970Features reclaimed farms and resettlement lands. [63] [64]
Pine Tree Trail Natural Area Elk Elk 276 acres (112 ha)Named after an interpretative trail featuring educational exhibits. [42] [65]
Reynolds Spring Natural Area Tioga Lycoming, Tioga 1,302 acres (527 ha) [16] [66]
Roaring Run Natural Area Forbes Westmoreland 3,582 acres (1,450 ha)1975 [57] [67]
Rocky Ridge Natural Area Rothrock Huntingdon 150 acres (61 ha) [3] [68]
Rosencrans Bog Natural Area Bald Eagle Clinton 152 acres (62 ha) [11] [69]
Ruth Zimmerman Natural Area William Penn Berks 33 acres (13 ha)Named after its former landowner; consists of two tracts. [26] [70]
Sheets Island Archipelago Natural Area Weiser Dauphin 70 acres (28 ha)A series of islands in the Susquehanna River. [40] [71]
Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area Bald Eagle Snyder 500 acres (202 ha)1921Includes old growth forest that was scheduled to be logged in 1902. [11] [72]
Spruce Swamp Natural Area Pinchot Lackawanna 87 acres (35 ha)Includes a glacial bog. [73] [74]
Stillwater Natural Area Delaware Pike 1,931 acres (781 ha)Traversed by the Thunder Swamp Trail. Originated as a sanctuary for Civil War deserters. [18] [75]
Sweet Root Natural Area Buchanan Bedford 1,400 acres (567 ha)1921Includes old-growth hemlocks demonstrating woolly adelgid damage. [63] [76]
Tall Timbers Natural Area Bald Eagle Snyder 660 acres (267 ha) [11] [77]
Tamarack Run Natural Area Loyalsock Sullivan 234 acres (95 ha) [29] [78]
Tamarack Swamp Natural Area Sproul Clinton 267 acres (108 ha)1998Includes a boreal bog. [24] [79]
Torbert Island Natural Area Tiadaghton Lycoming 18 acres (7 ha)A large island and smaller nearby islands in Pine Creek. [6] [80]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quehanna Wild Area</span> State-owned wildlife area in Pennsylvania, US

Quehanna Wild Area is a wildlife area within parts of Cameron, Clearfield and Elk counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania; with a total area of 50,000 acres, it covers parts of Elk and Moshannon State Forests. Founded in the 1950s as a nuclear research center, Quehanna has a legacy of radioactive and toxic waste contamination, while also being the largest state forest wild area in Pennsylvania, with herds of elk. The wild area is bisected by the Quehanna Highway and is home to second growth forest with mixed hardwoods and evergreens. Quehanna has two state forest natural areas: the 1,215-acre (492 ha) M.K. Goddard/Wykoff Run Natural Area, and the 917-acre (371 ha) Marion Brooks Natural Area. The latter has the largest stand of white birch in Pennsylvania and the eastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forrest H. Dutlinger Natural Area</span> Protected area in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, US

The Forrest H. Dutlinger Natural Area is a protected area in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Anders Run Natural Area is a 96-acre (39 ha) protected area in Warren County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Cornplanter State Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammersley Wild Area</span>

Hammersley Wild Area is a 30,253-acre (12,243 ha) wild area in the Susquehannock State Forest in Potter and Clinton counties in north-central Pennsylvania in the United States. It is the largest area without a road in Pennsylvania and the state's second largest wild area. The wild area is named for Hammersley Fork, a tributary of Kettle Creek, which flows through the area. The wild area includes 10.78 miles (17.35 km) of the Susquehannock Trail System, an 83.4-mile (134.2 km) loop hiking trail almost entirely on state forest land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marion Brooks Natural Area</span> Natural area in Pennsylvania

Marion Brooks Natural Area is a state forest natural area in Moshannon State Forest in Benezette Township, Elk County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The 917-acre (371 ha) natural area is on the northwest edge of Quehanna Wild Area. It was originally known as Paige Run Natural Area; in 1975 it was renamed in honor of Marion E. Brooks, a local environmentalist. The area was set aside to protect one of the largest known stands of white birch trees in the eastern United States; in this region the tree is fairly close to the southern limit of its native range.

Tamarack Swamp Natural Area is a boreal (non-glacial) bog in Sproul State Forest, in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is named for the tamarack tree that is common in the surrounding wetland. The protected natural area consists of 267 acres within the larger Tamarack Swamp complex. Tamarack Swamp is considered an Important Bird Area by Audubon Pennsylvania, and was named as one of the top 100 birding sites in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Algerine Swamp Natural Area</span> Natural area in Pennsylvania

Algerine Swamp Natural Area is an 84-acre (34 ha) protected area in Lycoming and Tioga Counties, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Tiadaghton State Forest, and has also been named a National Natural Landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bark Cabin Natural Area</span> Natural area in Pennsylvania

Bark Cabin Natural Area is an 84-acre (34 ha) protected area in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Tiadaghton State Forest.

Lebo Red Pine Natural Area is a 124-acre (50 ha) protected area in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Tiadaghton State Forest.

Miller Run Natural Area is a 4,992-acre (2,020 ha) protected area in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Tiadaghton State Forest, and is the second-largest designated Natural Area in Pennsylvania.

Torbert Island Natural Area is an 18-acre (7.3 ha) protected area in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Tiadaghton State Forest. Torbert Island itself is 14 acres in size, and the protected area includes some other small islands nearby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bear Run Natural Area</span> Natural area in Pennsylvania

Bear Run Natural Area is a 32-acre (13 ha) protected area in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Bald Eagle State Forest. The area protects a small stand of old-growth hemlock and tulip trees. These trees may have survived the Pennsylvania logging era of the late 1800s, because loggers may have chosen to preserve the stand as a shady rest area for themselves and their draft animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halfway Run Natural Area</span> Natural area in Pennsylvania

Halfway Run Natural Area is a 407-acre (165 ha) protected area in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Bald Eagle State Forest, and is a short distance from R.B. Winter State Park.

Pine Ridge Natural Area is a 568-acre (230 ha) protected area in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Buchanan State Forest.

Mount Cydonia Ponds Natural Area is a 183-acre (74 ha) protected area in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Michaux State Forest.

Lower Jerry Run Natural Area is an 892-acre (361 ha) protected area in Cameron County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Elk State Forest.

Pine Tree Trail Natural Area is a 276-acre (112 ha) protected area in Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Elk State Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Davis Natural Area</span> Natural area in Pennsylvania

Mount Davis Natural Area is a 581-acre (235 ha) protected area in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Forbes State Forest.

Roaring Run Natural Area is a 3,582-acre (1,450 ha) protected area in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Forbes State Forest.

References

  1. 1 2 Fergus, Charles (2002). Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring the State Forest Natural Areas. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books.
  2. ↑ "Guidelines and Definitions for Natural Areas & Wild Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. June 2016. p. 1.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rothrock State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  4. ↑ Fergus, p. 63-67
  5. ↑ Fergus, p. 143-146
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tiadaghton State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  7. ↑ "Cornplanter State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  8. ↑ Fergus, p. 199-202
  9. ↑ Fergus, p. 147-148
  10. ↑ Fergus, p. 67-72
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bald Eagle State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  12. ↑ Fergus, p. 93
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Michaux State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  14. ↑ Fergus, p. 27
  15. ↑ Fergus, p. 72-76
  16. 1 2 3 "Tioga State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  17. ↑ Fergus, p. 187-189
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Delaware State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  19. ↑ Fergus, p. 122-125
  20. ↑ Fergus, p. 126-128
  21. ↑ Fergus, p. 28-31
  22. ↑ "Gallitzin State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  23. ↑ Fergus, p. 89-92
  24. 1 2 3 "Sproul State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  25. ↑ Fergus, p. 159-161
  26. 1 2 3 "William Penn State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  27. ↑ Fergus, p. 15-16
  28. ↑ Fergus, p. 76-79
  29. 1 2 3 "Loyalsock State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  30. ↑ Fergus, p. 149-151
  31. ↑ Fergus, p. 161-163
  32. ↑ "Susquehannock State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  33. ↑ Fergus, p. 183-186
  34. 1 2 3 "Tuscarora State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  35. ↑ Fergus, p. 50-52
  36. ↑ Fergus, p. 94-97
  37. ↑ Fergus, p. 53-55
  38. ↑ Fergus, p. 97-101
  39. ↑ Fergus, p. 47-50
  40. 1 2 "Weiser State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  41. ↑ Fergus, p. 136-138
  42. 1 2 3 4 "Elk State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  43. ↑ Fergus, p. 172-173
  44. ↑ Fergus, p. 101-103
  45. ↑ Fergus, p. 140-142
  46. ↑ Fergus, p. 152-154
  47. ↑ Fergus, p. 79-83
  48. ↑ Fergus, p. 129
  49. ↑ Fergus, p. 16-20
  50. ↑ Fergus, p. 174-178
  51. ↑ "Moshannon State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  52. ↑ Fergus, p. 117-120
  53. ↑ Fergus, p. 31-34
  54. ↑ Fergus, p. 154-157
  55. ↑ Fergus, p. 181-183
  56. ↑ Fergus, p. 35-39
  57. 1 2 "Forbes State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  58. ↑ Fergus, p. 55-58
  59. ↑ Fergus, p. 103-107
  60. ↑ Fergus, p.130-131
  61. ↑ Fergus, p. 189-193
  62. ↑ Fergus, p. 131-133
  63. 1 2 "Buchanan State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  64. ↑ Fergus, p. 40-43
  65. ↑ Fergus, p. 178-180
  66. ↑ Fergus, p. 194-199
  67. ↑ Fergus, p. 58-62
  68. ↑ Fergus, p. 84-88
  69. ↑ Fergus, p. 107-109
  70. ↑ Fergus, p. 20-23
  71. ↑ Fergus, p. 23-26
  72. ↑ Fergus, p. 109-114
  73. ↑ "Pinchot State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  74. ↑ Fergus, p. 120-122
  75. ↑ Fergus, p. 133-136
  76. ↑ Fergus, p. 43-47
  77. ↑ Fergus, p. 114-116
  78. ↑ Fergus, p. 138-140
  79. ↑ Fergus, p. 164-167
  80. ↑ Fergus, p. 157-159
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