Blakeslee: Waterfalls, Bogs and Nature Trails

Blakeslee brings together protected natural areas and varied landscapes: at Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, a waterfall, creek and hiking trails shape the natural setting; Thomas Darling Preserve is a glacial wetland complex with bogs, forest and open wet meadows. Historic traces are also part of the picture. If you are looking for a vacation rental, these specific natural and cultural features can help guide your choice of location.

Waterfall, Wetland and Spring-Fed Creek

Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area encompasses about 130 acres of protected land. Tobyhanna Falls is a stepped waterfall within this natural area. The name refers to a notable natural feature in Blakeslee; the protected area also offers a distinctive setting for hiking.

Thomas Darling Preserve presents a different landscape: black spruce and tamarack forests stand alongside sphagnum bogs, fens and open wet meadows. The mosaic of forest and different wetlands gives the area its distinctive character. The preserve also includes Two-Mile Run, a spring-fed creek. Those interested in wetland landscapes will find several different landscape features in one place.

Trails with Different Highlights

Thomas Darling Preserve has a two-mile loop trail with a network of boardwalks. Activities listed there include hiking, birdwatching, wildlife watching and photography. The combination of a loop trail and boardwalks offers a different kind of route from the trails at Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area.

This natural area has a total of 2.59 miles of hiking trails. The Creek Trail is a named section: it runs for 1.14 miles along Tobyhanna Creek. The figures describe different options—the total length of the hiking trails on the one hand, and a specific trail that follows the creek on the other. At Thomas Darling Preserve, meanwhile, the loop trail with its network of boardwalks is the specific trail format. When planning your days, you can therefore distinguish between the Creek Trail’s connection to the creek, the loop trail at the preserve and the other hiking trails at the natural area, without treating the different routes as the same.

Historic Traces in the Natural Area

Remnants of Harrison Park are also part of the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area: they include a stone foundation of the building that housed a roller-skating rink and an artesian well. These traces add a historical perspective to the waterfall, creek and hiking trails. If you are interested in the area’s history, you can consider them alongside the natural attractions when planning.

Blakeslee as a Place to Plan Your Vacation

If you want nature and trails to be the focus of your stay, you can consider Blakeslee as a place to search for a vacation rental. Local destinations offer different points of interest: a stepped waterfall, a wetland complex with several landscape types, hiking trails and historic remnants. Think about which of these themes matters most for your trip, and let that guide your choice of vacation destination.

In the broader surrounding region, the Pocono Bike and Hike Trail System includes more than 28 miles of hiking and biking trails and connects ecotourism with cultural tourism. Visitors can also experience live NASCAR races at Pocono Raceway in the wider Blakeslee area. Race dates and event availability vary by season; check the event schedule before your visit. Covered bridges are also visitor attractions in the Township of Tobyhanna near Blakeslee.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Saylorsburg, Canadensis, Bartonsville, Mt Pocono, Pocono Summit, East Stroudsburg, Skytop, Scotrun.

For the broader travel overview: Monroe.