{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Sheets Island Archipelago Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = 2007 Dauphin County aerial image Susquehanna River - Sheets Island.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = The archipelago in the [[Susquehanna River]]; Sheets Island is the large island in the center. | image_size = | map = USA Pennsylvania | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania | map_width = | location = [[Dauphin County, Pennsylvania|Dauphin County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = [[Enola, Pennsylvania|Enola]] | coordinates = {{coord|40.2883|N|76.9178|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|70|acre}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Sheets Island Archipelago Natural Area''' is a {{convert|70|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Dauphin County, Pennsylvania|Dauphin County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Weiser State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Weiser State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests/find-a-forest/weiser/wild-and-natural-areas |access-date=2026-05-23 |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=23–26}}</ref>
== Description == The Natural Area was established to protect [[Sheets Island]] and about four dozen smaller nearby islands in the [[Susquehanna River]] between [[Enola, Pennsylvania|Enola]] and [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |title=Sheets Island Archipelago Natural Area |url=https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=4531916&DocName=FD18%20Weiser%20Sheets%20Island%20Natural%20Area%202022.pdf |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> The archipelago has been noted as a [[Birdwatching|birding]] location where many species of resident and migratory waterfowl and songbirds can be found,<ref name=":8" /> including [[Cormorant|cormorants]] and [[Egret|egrets]] which are uncommon in Pennsylvania.<ref name="Fergus" /> The area has also been noted for its unique car-free outdoor experiences in the midst of a developed metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneck |first=Marcus |date=2022-08-04 |title=An insider’s list of the best things to see, do in Pa. state forests |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/08/house-sized-glacial-boulders-island-campsites-and-more-from-an-insiders-list-of-things-to-see-in-pa-state-forests.html |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=pennlive |language=en}}</ref> The natural area can only be reached by boat.<ref name="Fergus" />
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania]]