{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = The Hook Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = Flickr - Nicholas T - Hook Natural Area (2).jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = A sign for hikers in The Hook Natural Area. | image_size = | map = USA Pennsylvania | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania | map_width = | location = [[Union County, Pennsylvania|Union County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = [[Hartleton, Pennsylvania|Hartleton]] | coordinates = {{coord|40.9633|N|77.1745|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|5119|acre}} | established = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''The Hook Natural Area''' is a {{convert|5119|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Union County, Pennsylvania|Union County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Bald Eagle State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Bald Eagle State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests/find-a-forest/bald-eagle/wild-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=97–101}}</ref> It was once the largest protected [[List of Pennsylvania state forest natural areas|Natural Area]] in Pennsylvania<ref name="Thwaites">{{cite book|last1=Thwaites|first1=Tom|title=50 Hikes in Central Pennsylvania|date=2001|publisher=Backcountry Publications|isbn=088150372X|edition=Fourth|location=Woodstock, Vermont|page=110–113}}</ref> but has since been surpassed by [[Pine Creek Gorge#Protected areas|Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area]].
== Description == The Natural Area was established to protect the complete watershed of the North Branch of Buffalo Run,<ref name=":8" /> which has been named a Class A wild [[trout]] fishery.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author1=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |title=The Hook Natural Area |url=http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=3698232&DocName=FD07%20Hook%20Natural%20Area%20factsheet.pdf |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> The area is also known for housing songbirds and robust populations of [[American black bear|black bears]], [[Coyote|coyotes]], and most notably [[Bobcat|bobcats]] which are rare in Pennsylvania.<ref name=":0" /> Equally uncommon [[Flying squirrel|flying squirrels]] have also been reported.<ref name="Fergus" /> The Natural Area is named "The Hook" after a distinct meander in the creek, and the area can be explored via a wide variety of maintained hiking trails.<ref name="Thwaites" />
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Union County, Pennsylvania]]