Roaring Run Natural Area
{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Roaring Run Natural Area
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| map = USA Pennsylvania
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| map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania
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| location = Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
| nearest_town = Jones Mills
| coordinates = {{coord|40.0589|N|79.3070|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
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| area = {{convert|3582|acre}}
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Roaring Run Natural Area is a {{convert|3582|acre|ha|adj=on}} protected area in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Forbes State Forest.{{Cite web |title=Forbes State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Forbes/Pages/Wild_NaturalAreas.aspx |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last=Fergus |first=Charles |title=Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring the State Forest Natural Areas |publisher=Stackpole Books |year=2002 |location=Mechanicsburg, PA |pages=58–62}}
Description
The Natural Area was established in 1975 to protect the watershed of Roaring Run nearly in its entirety. It is the largest protected area within a state forest in western Pennsylvania,{{cite book |last1=Thwaites |first1=Tom |title=50 Hikes in Western Pennsylvania |date=2000 |publisher=Backcountry Guides |isbn=0881504734 |edition=3rd |location=Woodstock, VT |page= |pages=66–69}} and was originally donated to the state after having been acquired by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Within the Natural Area's boundaries, Roaring Run descends more than 1,200 feet down the west side of Laurel Hill, and foresters have documented more than 50 of the 120 tree species that occur naturally in Pennsylvania. The area can be explored via an extensive network of hiking trails, and the long-distance Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail passes through a corner of the area.{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Jeff |title=Backpacking Pennsylvania: 37 Great Hikes |date=2005 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=0811731804 |location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |pages=208}}
References
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{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
Category:Protected areas of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania