The Best Spruce forest hiking in Pennsylvania

Spruce Flats Bog is a picturesque park located in Rector, Pennsylvania, United States. The park spans 612 acres and features a diverse landscape of mixed hardwood and evergreen forests, making it an ideal spot for picnicking, hiking, and renting cabins. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of Grove and Rock runs merging to create Linn Run, a popular trout stream. Nearby, Adam Falls adds to the scenic charm of the park's picnic area. Bordering the park is Forbes State Forest, offering an additional 50,000 acres of land for outdoor recreation.

The Nature Conservancy, Hauser Nature Center, located at 1567 Long Pond Road in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, is a park and tourist attraction that is part of the Pocono Mountains. This area sustains the highest known assemblage of globally rare species in the state of Pennsylvania. The Long Pond Preserve complex includes the Hauser Nature Center and the nearby Long Pond Barrens, offering a variety of wildlife habitats such as bogs, swamps, forests, and more. The institution works with partners to survey plant and animal communities, using data for effective long-term management. The Pennsylvania Game Commission and TNC have used prescribed fire to restore over 2,000 acres in the barrens. The Long Pond area is comprised of approximately 12,000 acres owned by various entities including TNC.

Laurel Summit State Park is a picturesque picnic area located on Linn Run Road in Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States. Operated by the DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks, this six-acre park offers picnic tables, a pavilion, water, and restroom facilities for visitors to enjoy. Situated 2,739 feet above sea level, the park provides a refreshing escape from the heat with cooler temperatures than surrounding towns. In addition to its picnic amenities, Laurel Summit State Park serves as a trailhead for the Spruce Flats bog and Wolf Rocks Trail, offering opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area. Visitors are reminded to practice a carry in/carry out policy, taking all trash with them when they leave.

The Thomas Darling Preserve at Two-Mile Run is a stunning park and tourist attraction located in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, United States. This preserve features a groundwater-fed glacial wetland with one of the state's largest and healthiest spruce forests. Named after naturalist Thomas Darling, Jr., the preserve offers a diverse array of plant life, including sweet viburnum shrubs, sheep laurel, bog laurel, cotton grass, and blueberries. Visitors can explore the landscape year-round, surrounded by swamps, fens, bogs, and wet meadows filled with native vegetation. Managed by The Nature Conservancy for over 20 years, this preserve continues to expand and protect the natural beauty of the region. The main trail system and boardwalk can be accessed from a parking lot off Burger Road, while an additional parking lot off Caughbaugh Road provides access to a separate trail. The preserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, eastern coyotes, beavers, and numerous bird species. Visitors can enjoy the colorful flowering shrubs in spring, ripe blueberries in late summer, and a diverse range of plant and animal life throughout the year. The Nature Conservancy is actively collecting data on the species found in the preserve through the iNaturalist platform, encouraging visitors to contribute to their research efforts. By exploring the Thomas Darling Preserve, visitors can connect with nature, support conservation efforts, and learn about the unique ecosystems of Pennsylvania.

Welcome to Wildlife Observation Blind Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Greentown, Pennsylvania, the Wildlife Observation Blind offers a unique opportunity for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Located on Bear Wallow Road, just a short drive from the Tafton/Promised Land State Park Exit, this hidden gem provides an unparalleled experience for observing the rich biodiversity of the Lower Lake area.