{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Stillwater Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = TST_LittleBushkillBridge.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Hikers' footbrige over [[Little Bushkill Creek]] in Stillwater 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 = [[Bushkill, Pennsylvania|Bushkill]] | coordinates = {{coord|41.2354|N|75.0251|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|1931|acre}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Stillwater Natural Area''' is a {{convert|1931|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=133–136}}</ref>
== Description == The Natural Area was established to protect a mixed hardwood forest, and it contains a segment of [[Bushkill Creek|Little Bushkill Creek]] that offers "still water" for canoeists.<ref name=":8" /> Areas featuring swamps or very dense forest cover served as a refuge for [[Desertion|deserters]] during the [[American Civil War]], who built cabins on islands in the swamps.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-18 |title=Pennsylvania’s historic hiking sites include Gettysburg, Valley Forge and Shanksville |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/2024/02/18/pennsylvanias-historic-hiking-sites-include-gettysburg-valley-forge-and-shanksville/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice |language=en-US}}</ref>
The area is traversed by the Northeast Spur of the [[Thunder Swamp Trail]],<ref>{{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=40}}</ref> and it includes the secluded Big Bear Swamp which houses a large population of black bears.<ref name="Cramer43">Cramer, p. 41-43.</ref> The area is indicative of the poorly-drained forest lands of the [[Pocono Mountains|Pocono Plateau]], sporting numerous swamps and wetlands.<ref name="Fergus" />
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Pike County, Pennsylvania]]