{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Bruce Lake Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = Nicholas T - Loom (by).jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Storm clouds over Bruce Lake Natural Area | image_size = | map = USA Pennsylvania | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania | map_width = | location = [[Pike County, Pennsylvania|Pike County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = [[Blooming Grove, Pennsylvania|Blooming Grove]] | coordinates = {{coord|41.3413|N|75.20740|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|2845|acre}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Bruce Lake Natural Area''' is a {{convert|2845|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Pike County, Pennsylvania|Pike County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Delaware State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Delaware State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests/find-a-forest/delaware/wild-and-natural-areas |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Fergus">{{Cite book |last=Fergus |first=Charles |title=Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring the State Forest Natural Areas |publisher=Stackpole Books |year=2002 |location=Mechanicsburg, PA |pages=122–125}}</ref>
== Description == The Natural Area was established to protect a [[Bog|glacial bog]] of a type that is relatively rare in Pennsylvania, and is more likely to be seen in New England and Canada.<ref name="Thwaites" /> Several species of equally uncommon plants and flowers can also be found.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=22 August 2015 |title=On the Trail: Hike to a glistening glacial lake |url=https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2015/08/23/on-trail-hike-to-glistening/33589827007/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Pocono Record |language=en-US}}</ref> Animals like beavers and blue herons can be seen in the area.<ref name="Fergus" />
The area includes Bruce Lake and Egypt Meadow Lake. The first is a natural spring-fed lake that was originally formed by glaciers during the last [[ice age]], and has been named by journalists as one of the most beautiful lakes in Pennsylvania;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneck |first=Marcus |date=2017-06-26 |title=Pennsylvania's most beautiful lakes |url=https://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2017/06/pennsylvanias_most_beautiful_l.html |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=pennlive |language=en}}</ref> the latter was constructed by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] in 1936.<ref>"[https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=4549605&DocName=FD19%20Delaware%20Bruce%20Lake%20Natural%20Area%20Factsheet%202022.pdf Bruce Lake Natural Area]," Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.</ref> The area has no active roads and is traversed by several hiking trails.<ref name="Thwaites"> Thwaites, Tom (1997). 50 Hikes in Eastern Pennsylvania (Third ed.). Woodstock, Vermont: Backcountry Publications. p. 173–175. ISBN 088150372X.</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Pike County, Pennsylvania]]