Forbes State Forest - Spruce Flats Bog and Wildlife Area — Attraction in Cook Township

Oh, wow. This is a bog, not an everyday occurrence environmentally in southwestern PA. First of all, to get there, search for Wolf Rocks Trail Head. Spruce Flats Bog in the Forbes State Forest shares the same parking lot. The bog trail is next to the restrooms. Yay for pit restrooms! It is a short walk (under 15 minutes) to the bog. You will come to a wooden platform with rails and benches from which to view the bog and its vegetation. The best part? The absolute best part that made me squeal with childlike glee? There are beautiful pitcher plants! All of this is to be appreciated, not only for its beauty but for its uniqueness. The plants are native to PA but, according to an article I read, these were introduced many years ago from another spot in PA and voila! They now...

I love bogs, wet meadows and other inland wetlands! So Spruce Flats is awesome to me. I love the wind directed growth of the trees, the plants and animals and of course, the smell. This is such a rare and interesting treat, especially for Southern Pennsylvania. It's very easy to get to as you walk down a short trail. There is a short boardwalk to a viewing platform that awards you with broad views of the bog. During late spring and early summer you can listen to breeding populations of Canada and Magnolia Warblers with an occasional...

This is a great place to visit. The environment totally changes in a matter of yards from the woods into the bog. You can walk out on the wooden walkway and be surrounded by totally different plants, including a few carnivorous ones. Whole new colors and shapes and textures surround you in the environment. According to the sign, this wetland will all eventually grow over with...