{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Spruce Swamp Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = Flickr - Nicholas T - Spruce Swamp Natural Area (1).jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_size = | map = USA Pennsylvania | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania | map_width = | location = [[Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania|Lackawanna County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = Thornhurst | coordinates = {{coord|41.2006|N|75.6193|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|87|acre}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Spruce Swamp Natural Area''' is a {{convert|87|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania|Lackawanna County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Pinchot State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Pinchot State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests/find-a-forest/pinchot/wild-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=120–122}}</ref>
== Description ==
The Natural Area was established to protect a [[Bog|glacial bog]] of a type that is uncommon in Pennsylvania, protecting the habitats of several plant species that have been classified as threatened in Pennsylvania.<ref name=":8" /> It is named specifically for the [[Picea mariana|black spruce]] which is relatively rare in Pennsylvania.<ref name="Fergus" /> A grove of [[Larix laricina|tamarack]] trees have also been noted for their colorful [[Autumn leaf color|fall foliage]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serrao |first=John |date=10 November 2007 |title=Color-turning tamarack worth trip into cold, boggy places |url=https://www.poconorecord.com/story/sports/2007/11/11/color-turning-tamarack-worth-trip/52744881007/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Pocono Record |language=en-US}}</ref> The area is also known for hosting a wide variety of songbirds.<ref>"[http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=3704271&DocName=FD11%20Pinchot%20Spruce%20Swamp%20Natural%20Area%20Factsheet%202021.pdf Spruce Swamp Natural Area]," Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.</ref> The north and east edges of the area are traversed by the [[Pinchot Trail System]].<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Cramer |first1=Ben |title=Guide to the Pinchot Trail System |date=2025 |publisher=Catamount Press |isbn=9798888193525 |edition=2nd |location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |pages=3–6}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania]]