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Places We Protect

Thomas Darling Preserve

Pennsylvania

A tree lays horizontally above a cleared path creating an overhead cover in a forest of brilliant golden leaves in autumn.
Autumn Views Views along the trail of Thomas Darling Preserve during the autumn months. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

A rare glacial wetland with one of Pennsylvania’s largest native spruce forests, offering peaceful boardwalk trails, boreal wildlife, and year‑round natural beauty.

Overview

Description

Why Visit: Thomas Darling Preserve at Two‑Mile Run protects one of the Pocono region’s most remarkable glacial wetland complexes, more than 2,500 acres of black spruce and tamarack forest, sphagnum bogs, fens and open wet meadows shaped by the last ice age. These rare boreal habitats, typically found much farther north, make the preserve both an ecological treasure and a peaceful place to explore.

Visitors can experience this unique landscape along a quiet two‑mile loop trail and boardwalk system that winds through mossy wetlands, blueberry thickets and spruce stands alive with birdsong. Seasonal changes bring new highlights: spring’s blooming laurel, summer’s lush ferns and sedges, fall’s brilliant red blueberry barrens and winter’s serene evergreen forest.

For more than two decades, The Nature Conservancy and partners have worked to protect and expand this landscape, ensuring that its clean water, rare plants and boreal forests remain intact for future generations. Today, the preserve offers both a refuge for wildlife, such as snowshoe hares, beavers, black bears and breeding birds like Canada warbler and golden‑crowned kinglet, and a place for people to connect with the natural heritage of the Pocono Plateau.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This preserve does not allow the use of OPDMDs.

Hours

Daily, from dawn to dusk

Highlights

Trail Experience: A two‑mile loop of soft trail and boardwalk through wetlands, spruce forest and open meadows. Expect wet areas in spring and early summer. Activities: Hiking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing and photography.

Size

2,500 acres

Explore our work in Pennsylvania

Visitor Information

  • Boreal Wetlands and Forests

    The preserve protects one of Pennsylvania’s largest native black spruce and tamarack forests, rare boreal habitats shaped by the region’s glacial past. Visitors walk through sphagnum moss mats, sedge meadows and kettle wetlands surrounded by northern hardwoods.

    Wildlife

    The preserve supports species typical of the Pocono Plateau, including black bears, snowshoe hares, beavers, eastern coyotes and breeding birds such as Canada warbler, barred owl, scarlet tanager, golden‑crowned kinglet and osprey. Rare plants like bog sedge, thread rush and creeping snowberry can be found throughout the understory.

  • This preserve is open for visitation year-round! Here are some seasonal highlights:

    • Spring: Flowering shrubs like sheep laurel, bog laurel and viburnums bloom along the trail.
    • Summer: The boardwalk offers lush views of ferns, sedges and boreal wetlands.
    • Fall: Blueberries turn brilliant crimson, spruce stands contrast with golden leaves, and wildlife is active.
    • Winter: Quiet forests and evergreen spruce provide unique scenery.

  • Seasonal hunting is permitted in accordance with Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations. Please note: trapping is never allowed at TNC preserves.

  • Help us document the species that call this preserve home. From lichens and mushrooms to birds and mammals, every observation contributes to a growing science database that informs our stewardship.

    Nine of our 14 preserve projects already have observations, your contributions help expand our understanding of native and invasive species across TNC lands.

  • We invite you to experience and enjoy TNC’s public preserves. Please be mindful that every visitor has an impact. We ask that you follow our visitation guidelines to protect yourself and nature.

    • Come prepared with sturdy footwear, sun protection, drinking water, rain gear and long sleeves/pants to reduce exposure to ticks and poison ivy.
    • Stay on marked trails and respect your surroundings. Do not trespass on adjacent private property. Do not climb trees, disturb plants, feed wildlife or remove signage.
    • Dogs are allowed and may be off‑leash but must remain under owner control at all times. Clean up and carry out all dog waste.
    • Alcohol, smoking, drug use, firearms (except during hunting seasons, following all PGC regulations), horseplay, sports, camping, cookouts, open flames, loud music, swimming and other disruptive activities are prohibited.
    • ATVs, bicycles, and any motor vehicles not used for accessibility are prohibited.
    • Park only in designated spaces near the trailhead. Do not park along roads or on private property.
    • There are no restroom facilities. Pack out all trash and waste, including biodegradable materials.
    • TNC may refuse access to visitors who violate guidelines and may prosecute offenders under applicable regulations. To report violations, contact pa_chapter@tnc.org.

Nature for All

The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to building a world where both people and nature can thrive together. Our mission is to protect lands and waters on which all life depends. We strive to offer opportunities for individuals of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives to develop a lifelong bond with the natural world. We believe that nature should be accessible to all, and we invite you to enjoy the outdoors safely and fairly at our public preserves. We all share one planet, and everyone is welcome here.

Views from Thomas Darling Preserve

Explore the wildlife, plant species and scenery found around the Thomas Darling Preserve, located in Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania.

A closeup of a brightly colored orange mushroom grows in the soil.
A wooden kiosk stands in a forest with maps and papers attached to it.
Boardwalk through black spruce wetland at Thomas Darling Preserve.
A body of water reflects a blue sky and white clouds. It winds into the distance and is surrounded by grasses and trees.
A close up image of a bright green fern.
A small brown and black speckled toad rests on top brown leaves and green pine on the forest floor.
A view from the ground looking up the trunk of a spruce tree. It is covered in rough brown bark and its branches outstretch out of side at the top.
A large boardwalk cuts through a dark wetland. Several tall and thin trees block the sunlight from touching the forest floor.
Several ferns and tall thin trees grow across a forest floor.
A narrow wooden boardwalk stretched through a meadow of tall brown and green grasses. There are large green spruce trees in the distance.
A closeup of a brightly colored orange mushroom grows in the soil.

Fungi : A Scarlet waxcap (Hygrocybe coccinea) grows in the moist and healthy soil. © Matt Kane/TNC

A wooden kiosk stands in a forest with maps and papers attached to it.

Preserve Entrance : A kiosk with preserve information greets you at the entrance of Thomas Darling Preserve. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

Boardwalk through black spruce wetland at Thomas Darling Preserve.

Trail Loop: A wooden boardwalk safely takes you through the wetland sections of Thomas Darling Preserve. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

A body of water reflects a blue sky and white clouds. It winds into the distance and is surrounded by grasses and trees.

Pond View: A view of the pond from the trail that runs through the preserve. © Matt Kane/TNC

A close up image of a bright green fern.

A Closeup Look : Ferns thrive year-round in the landscape at Thomas Darling. © John Hinkson/TNC

A small brown and black speckled toad rests on top brown leaves and green pine on the forest floor.

Wildlife at Thomas Darling: Thomas Darling’s bogs and wet meadows provide excellent habitats for toads. © Matt Kane/TNC

A view from the ground looking up the trunk of a spruce tree. It is covered in rough brown bark and its branches outstretch out of side at the top.

Spruce Tree: Thomas Darling Preserve is home to one of Pennsylvania’s largest native spruce forests. © Matt Kane/TNC

A large boardwalk cuts through a dark wetland. Several tall and thin trees block the sunlight from touching the forest floor.

A Fall View: A view of the boardwalk trail during the fall at Thomas Darling Preserve. © George Gress/TNC

Several ferns and tall thin trees grow across a forest floor.

A Healthy Forest: Native ferns and spruce trees line the forest at the preserve. © Matt Kane/TNC

A narrow wooden boardwalk stretched through a meadow of tall brown and green grasses. There are large green spruce trees in the distance.

Trail Views: The boardwalk trail winds through the preserve and all of its unique habitats. © Matt Kane/TNC

Explore Nature

Looking for your next outdoor adventure? Visit other TNC preserves in Pennsylvania:

Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

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