{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Roaring Run 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 = [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = [[Jones Mills, Pennsylvania|Jones Mills]] | coordinates = {{coord|40.0589|N|79.3070|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|3582|acre}} | established = 1975 | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Roaring Run Natural Area''' is a {{convert|3582|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Forbes State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Forbes State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Forbes/Pages/Wild_NaturalAreas.aspx |access-date=2024-07-06 |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=58–62}}</ref>
== Description == The Natural Area was established in 1975 to protect the watershed of Roaring Run nearly in its entirety. It is the largest protected area within a state forest in western Pennsylvania,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thwaites |first1=Tom |title=50 Hikes in Western Pennsylvania |date=2000 |publisher=Backcountry Guides |isbn=0881504734 |edition=3rd |location=Woodstock, VT |page= |pages=66–69}}</ref> and was originally donated to the state after having been acquired by [[Western Pennsylvania Conservancy]].<ref name="Fergus" />
Within the Natural Area's boundaries, Roaring Run descends more than 1,200 feet down the west side of [[Laurel Hill (Pennsylvania)|Laurel Hill]],<ref name=":8" /> and foresters have documented more than 50 of the 120 tree species that occur naturally in Pennsylvania.<ref name="Fergus" /> The area can be explored via an extensive network of hiking trails,<ref name="Fergus" /> and the long-distance [[Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail]] passes through a corner of the area.<ref name="Mitchell">{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Jeff |title=Backpacking Pennsylvania: 37 Great Hikes |date=2005 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=0811731804 |location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |pages=208}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Laurel Highlands]]