{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Pennel Run Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = Thunder Swamp Trail (Revisited) (1) (8755091477).jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = A sign on the [[Thunder Swamp Trail]] directing hikers to Pennel Run 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 = [[Canadensis, Pennsylvania|Canadensis]] | coordinates = {{coord|41.1791|N|75.1359|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|936|acre}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Pennel Run Natural Area''' is a {{convert|936|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=130–131}}</ref>
== Description == The Natural Area was established to protect several tree species from logging, and it includes Utts Swamp where reptiles and amphibians are protected.<ref name=":8" /> Some trees had been spared from logging in recent decades due to an unclear boundary between competing logging company claims.<ref name="Fergus" /> Some such trees have been designated as [[Old-growth forest|old growth]], which is very rare in northeastern Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=8 December 2007 |title=Old-growth trees live to impress area hikers |url=https://www.poconorecord.com/story/sports/2007/12/09/old-growth-trees-live-to/52716091007/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Pocono Record |language=en-US}}</ref>
The long-distance [[Thunder Swamp Trail]] passes nearby, and a side trail leads to the Natural Area.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Cramer |first1=Ben |title=Guide to the Thunder Swamp Trail |date=2025 |publisher=Catamount Press |isbn=9798888193532 |edition=2nd |location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |pages=25}}</ref> The area suffered a forest fire in the late 2010s that destroyed many trails. After the ecosystem recovered, Pennsylvania forestry trails began a program to build a new loop trail through the area in 2025.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Pike County, Pennsylvania]]