{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Little Juniata Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_size = | map = USA Pennsylvania | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania | map_width = | location = [[Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = [[Barree Township, Pennsylvania|Barree]] | coordinates = {{coord|40.6033|N|78.1208|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|624|acre}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Little Juniata Natural Area''' is a {{convert|624|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Rothrock State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Rothrock State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests/find-a-forest/rothrock/wild-natural-areas |access-date=2026-05-16 |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=79–83}}</ref>
== Description == The Natural Area was established to protect an undeveloped segment of the [[Little Juniata River]] that is known for its unique geology,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swift |first=Megan |date=2023-07-14 |title=Free Guided Hikes to Explore Little Juniata Natural Area |url=https://www.statecollege.com/articles/community/free-guided-hikes-to-explore-little-juniata-natural-area/ |access-date=2026-05-16 |website=StateCollege.com |language=en-US}}</ref> including a [[thrust fault]] and a [[Scree|talus slope]] of [[Tuscarora Sandstone|Tuscarora sandstone]].<ref name=":8" /> The area is centered around a [[water gap]] carved by the river through in the ridgeline known as [[Tussey Mountain]]. In turn, this is one of the few water gaps in Pennsylvania that was never developed for transportation, though the present Natural Area includes a segment of an old railroad grade with a stone bridge over the river.<ref name="Fergus" />
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania]]