Stillwater Natural Area
| Stillwater Natural Area | |
|---|---|
 Hikers' footbrige over Little Bushkill Creek in Stillwater Natural Area | |
  Location within Pennsylvania | |
| Location | Pike County, Pennsylvania |
| Nearest town | Bushkill |
| Coordinates | 41°14′07″N 75°01′30″W / 41.2354°N 75.0251°W |
| Area | 1,931 acres (781 ha) |
Stillwater Natural Area is a 1,931-acre (781 ha) protected area in Pike County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Delaware State Forest.[1][2]
Description
The Natural Area was established to protect a mixed hardwood forest, and it contains a segment of Little Bushkill Creek that offers "still water" for canoeists.[1] Areas featuring swamps or very dense forest cover served as a refuge for deserters during the American Civil War, who built cabins on islands in the swamps.[3]
The area is traversed by the Northeast Spur of the Thunder Swamp Trail,[4] and it includes the secluded Big Bear Swamp which houses a large population of black bears.[5] The area is indicative of the poorly-drained forest lands of the Pocono Plateau, sporting numerous swamps and wetlands.[2]
References
- 1 2 "Delaware State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Fergus, Charles (2002). Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring the State Forest Natural Areas. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. pp. 133–136.
- ↑ "Pennsylvania's historic hiking sites include Gettysburg, Valley Forge and Shanksville". Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice. February 18, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
- ↑ Cramer, Ben (2025). Guide to the Thunder Swamp Trail (2nd ed.). Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Catamount Press. p. 40. ISBN 9798888193532.
- ↑ Cramer, p. 41-43.
