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Places We Protect

Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve

Pennsylvania

Two red cranberries grow on a green vine surrounded by green and yellow leaves.
Cranberries Though cranberries are not harvested at Tannersville Cranberry Bog, they can still be seen growing in abundance across the bog's landscape. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

Known locally as “The Cranberry,” this geological remnant of a long-ago ice age was one of TNC’s first preserves in Pennsylvania.

Overview

Description

Standing out in vivid contrast to the surrounding Pocono Mountains landscape, Tannersville Cranberry Bog provides a snapshot of colder times. Thousands of years ago, a large glacial lake occupied the space of what has since become a thick soup of peat moss.

Affectionately known locally as “The Cranberry,” Tannersville Cranberry Bog is ingrained in the local community and culture, inspiring wonder among students, educators, scientists, nature lovers and photographers who visit each year. Of special interest are some of North America’s most beautiful native orchids, including rose pogonia and the state-endangered heart-leaved twayblade.

While the ice and lake have long receded, the unique ecosystem that remains today serves as the southernmost low elevation boreal bog along the eastern seaboard. It represents an intricate transformation that took place over the millennia and would be impossible to replace if destroyed.

The Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve is one of TNC's first nature preserves in Pennsylvania. The preserve in managed in partnership with the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center who provide educational opportunities for the local community.

Over the years, careful stewardship by TNC and partners including Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Pocono Township, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a local volunteer stewardship committee has yielded great returns as the bog soaks up rain and runoff like a giant sponge—cleansing water and controlling pollution throughout the Pocono Creek watershed.

Access

Limited Access

North Woods and Fern Ridge Trails are open to public access.

Highlights

The Boardwalk trail remains accessible by guided tour only; dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk trail. Learn more about regularly scheduled hikes by contacting the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at 570-629-3061. Archery hunting in designated areas (in cooperation with Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations).

Size

1,000 acres

Explore our work in Pennsylvania

Tannersville Cranberry Bog Restoration

The same view of the wooden boardwalk two days later. The brushy vegetation has been cut and removed, leaving open space between the tall trees.
A low wooden boardwalk splits into a vee. The two trails disappear into a forested bog that is thick with woody vegetation.
Before and After Growth of shrubby vegetation and forest succession leaves the Tannersville bog ecosystem smaller each year. By removing vegetation, TNC aims to restore the diversity and vitality of the leatherleaf-cranberry bog community and keep this ecosystem thriving.
A group of volunteers standing on a boardwalk.
Conservation Community TNC staff, trustees and volunteers came together at Tannersville Cranberry Bog for two weeks of workdays aimed at restoring the bog's diversity and vitality. Mar-Apr 2022. © Matt Kane / TNC

Conservation Community

Restoring the diversity and vitality of Tannersville’s leatherleaf-cranberry bog community is necessary to keep this ecosystem thriving. Although the infilling and growth of shrubby vegetation and forest succession is a natural process, it may be happening more rapidly due to nutrient input from nearby roads and from residential development in the watershed.

In 2012, Dr. Ray Milewski and students from East Stroudsburg University established several small study plots at the preserve. Their research suggests that removing woody, shade producing vegetation allows rare bog plants to reestablish themselves.

In an effort to engage our conservation community and encourage the return of certain species not seen at Tannersville in decades (like the grass pink orchid Calopogon tuberosus), PA/DE staff, trustees and volunteers came together in late March and early April 2022 for a series of grueling but rewarding workdays.

Weather was the biggest wild card—the temperature at the first day’s morning meeting location was a bracing 20 degrees. Regular changes in weather occured during the two weeks, with rain, snow and sleet showers experienced during the first week.

The work involved removing trees with chainsaws, lopping smaller brush and limbs and dragging the cut material to the boardwalk and out of the bog to a chipping area. The resulting mulch will be used on upland trails.

TNC staff and volunteers were able to complete six of the planned ten days of restoration work, giving us a great start to our ongoing plan for opening up areas of the bog. The total area where vegetation has been removed to date comes to approximately 0.37 acres—about 0.25 acres were cleared this year. The target restoration area inside the boardwalk loop is approximately 1.3 acres. 

Our restoration efforts are focused along and around the bog boardwalk to allow us to continue building on past restoration success and provide the greatest opportunity to showcase that success to preserve visitors. There is still much work to be done and we’ll be reviewing and assessing those changes through our partnership with Monroe County Conservation District – Kettle Creek Environmental staff through their public walks in the bog scheduled throughout the year.

In the News

  • Two people clear brush and small tree branches during a restoration workday at Tannersville Cranberry Bog.

    Bog Restoration Lets Rare Species Bloom

    Kathryne Rubright, Pocono Record | Apr 13, 2022

    Get an inside look at the restoration workdays held at Tannersville Cranberry Bog aimed at encouraging the return of certain species not seen at the preserve in decades. Read the Article

Tannersville Cranberry Bog Views

Surrounded by the Pocono Mountains, this bog ecosystem is home to several rare and unique sights and wildlife.

Photo of a cleared path covered in orange leaves curving around a wooded area.
Two red berries grow on a pine branch.
A body of water sits still surrounded by green and orange plant growth.
A yellow and red Pitcher Plant filled with water sits on green grass.
A wooden boardwalk splits into two through a wooded area.
An ant swims in the clear liquid contained in a carnivorous pitcher plant. The wide fluted leaf of the plant is studded with tiny white hairs that help prevent the ant from escaping.
View looking down on a purple orchid growing up through dense green foliage.
Two red cranberries grown on a green vine.
A wooden boardwalk cuts through green and orange brush growth.
Four people stand in water above their ankles on a flooded boardwalk that runs through the forested bog of Tannersville Preserve.
Photo of a cleared path covered in orange leaves curving around a wooded area.

Trail at Tannersville: The walk to the bog at Tannersville Cranberry Bog takes you through a lush wooded forest. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

Two red berries grow on a pine branch.

American Larch: (Larix laricina) © George C. Gress / TNC

A body of water sits still surrounded by green and orange plant growth.

Tannersville Cranberry Bog: A view of the bog at Tannersville © Matt Kane/TNC

A yellow and red Pitcher Plant filled with water sits on green grass.
A wooden boardwalk splits into two through a wooded area.

Tannersville Cranberry Bog: This geological remnant of a long-ago ice age was one of TNC’s first preserves in Pennsylvania. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

An ant swims in the clear liquid contained in a carnivorous pitcher plant. The wide fluted leaf of the plant is studded with tiny white hairs that help prevent the ant from escaping.

Pitcher Plant : Sarracenia purpurea thrives in Tannersville's acidic, nutrient-poor bog habitat. © Matt Kane / TNC

View looking down on a purple orchid growing up through dense green foliage.

Grass Pink Orchid: One of the rare bog species we hope to see return. © Angie Cole

Two red cranberries grown on a green vine.

Cranberries : Though cranberries are not harvested at Tannersville Cranberry Bog, they can still be seen growing in abundance across the bog's landscape. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

A wooden boardwalk cuts through green and orange brush growth.

Boardwalk : Visitors can view the bog by walking along the boardwalk. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

Four people stand in water above their ankles on a flooded boardwalk that runs through the forested bog of Tannersville Preserve.

Working Through the Elements: TNC staff and volunteers worked through weather challenges during the Tannersville restoration. At least 6 inches of water covered the boardwalk after a day of heavy rain. © George C. Gress / TNC

Visitor Information

  • Because of its fragile nature, the bog itself can be visited only during regularly scheduled walks conducted by the Monroe County Conservation District's Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center. Private walks are available for groups upon request; dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk trail.

    Public access is always permitted on the North Wood and the Fern Ridge trails. 

    PLEASE NOTE: when traveling to the preserve, please do not turn into the home at 107 Lavender Lane (at the corner of Lavender Lane and Cherry Lane Road). This is a private residence; please respect our neighbor's privacy.

  • North Wood Trail

    This flat loop trail system passes along the edge of the wetland and through a mature hardwood forest dominated by oak trees.

    The shorter loop along the edge of the ridge offers a better view of the area and the longer loop passes through several areas of ever- green trees and through excellent wildlife habitat. In winter, these trails are good for cross-country skiing.

    Fern Ridge Trail

    This single loop trail rises slowly in the beginning through an oak hardwood forest. Then it follows an old road and eventually proceeds down a slight hill to run along the very edge of the bog with lots of wetland trees, shrubs and ferns including blueberry bushes, yellow birch and red maple trees.

    The Boardwalk Trail remains accessible by guided tour only; dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk trail. Learn more about regularly scheduled hikes by contacting the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at 570-629-3061.

  • Plants: visitors will find plants such as calla lilies, gold thread and carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants, as well as native orchids such as rose pogonia and the state endangered heart-leaved twayblade. Other endangered plants include bog rosemary and Labrador tea. Shrubs such as leather leaf, sheep laurel and swamp azalea can also be found here.

    Animals: black bear, river otter, bobcat, beaver, porcupines, mink, wild turkey and snowshoe hare can be found here. Canada warbler, wood thrush, scarlet tanager, golden-winged warbler, eastern towhee and whip-poor-will have also been spoted at the preserve.

  • We are creating a community science database of all kinds of life—from lichens to ants, mushrooms to plants, birds to mammals and everything in between for our preserves in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

    TNC's roots began with local citizens and scientists concerned about special places and species. That legacy continues today. Across our lands, we are utilizing iNaturalist—a digital platform that gives users an opportunity to share and discuss their findings.

    Of the 14 preserve projects in iNaturalist, nine have observations recorded; help us increase that number and our understanding of the species—good and bad, native as well as invasive—that can be found on TNC lands across the state. This information can also help guide and inform our conservation staff's management and monitoring decisions.

  • Please follow all rules and guidelines of the Monroe County Conservation District/Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center.

    WHEN VISITING THE TANNERSVILLE CRANBERRY BOG, PLEASE DO:

    • Take precautions against ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers and sunburn
    • Wear sturdy footwear
    • Bring drinking water
    • Stay on marked trails
    • Remove all litter, including dog waste. This is a “carry-in, carry-out” preserve. 
    • Dogs must be kept under control and are permitted on the Fern Ridge & North Wood Trails only. No pets are allowed on the Boardwalk Trail.
    • Enjoy nature!

    Please DO NOT:

    • Feed or disturb wildlife
    • No trapping or removing any other artifacts from the preserve
    • Bring motorized vehicles, ATVs, bikes or horses
    • Bring alcohol 
    • Camp (No fires allowed!)

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.

Explore Tannersville: 2025 Bog Walks

2025 Bog Activities Schedule

Download

We invite you to attend one of our many public events and guided walks through the unique ecosystem of our Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve during our 2025 season. 

Join environmental educators from the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center to learn about the bog’s formation, its exciting plant and animal life, conservation history and more!

Weekly Wednesday Walks:

  • 10 a.m., June 4 through September 10
  • 1 p.m., September 17 through November 12

Weekend Walks:

  • Sun., May 18—11:00 a.m.
  • Sun., June 8—11:00 a.m.
  • Sun., July 13—11:00 a.m.
  • Sat., Aug. 9—2:00 p.m.
  • Sun., Sept. 7—11:00 a.m.
  • Sat., Oct. 11—2:00 p.m.

*Walks typically take about 2.5 hours and cost $6.

Please call 570-629-3061 for directions and to register.

Public walks and events are open to anyone, but pre-registration is required and limited; no walk-ins will be accepted.

Watch: Enjoy a Virtual Tour of Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve

Walk Through the Tannersville Bog (14:58) Enjoy a virtual tour of the Tannersville Cranberry Bog led by Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center.
A person standing infront of a wooden kiosk in the forest stands facing the camera, addressing a crowd with their backs turning to the camera.
Roger Spotts One of the Tannersville Cranberry Bog’s most recognizable and knowledgeable ambassadors. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

A lifetime of Education at the Bog:

Roger Spotts

Roger Spotts has long been one of the Tannersville Cranberry Bog’s most recognizable and knowledgeable ambassadors. For over 40 years, he has led guided tours on behalf of the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center in Monroe County, sharing his wide-ranging expertise with countless visitors. He is beloved in the community—particularly among local 4th-grade students, who tour the bog each year—and serves as an invaluable source of knowledge about the history, ecology, and unique characteristics of this special landscape.

TNC extends its heartfelt thanks to Roger for his invaluable service and his tireless commitment to educating the stewards of tomorrow. As he prepares to retire in 2025, we invited him to share a few of his favorite reflections from his career.

How did you first learn about the bog, and what drew you to it?

My background in wildlife and land management really laid the groundwork for my career. I arrived in the Poconos in 1983 as a naturalist with the Bureau of State Parks. I’d gone to college at Penn State for wildlife biology, and that’s always what I’d envisioned I’d end up pursuing. But when [renowned local naturalist] Don Miller introduced me to the Tannersville bog, I’d never seen a habitat like it before. I hadn’t ever traveled north to see a boreal bog before, so this was a brand-new experience. I’d heard of Venus fly traps, of course, because they get all the press. But I remember being fascinated by the insect-eating plants and all of the other wildlife in the bog ecosystem that you didn’t always see, but could find evidence of.

What would you say is your favorite part of environmental education?

My favorite part of being an environmental educator is all the interactions I’ve gotten to have with people coming to see the bog. We’ve had 4th graders from Monroe County schools coming to visit for 40 years now. It’s been a great partnership and the basic program is still the same. It’s amazing: The kids don’t have their tech with them, just a clipboard. They make notes or draw things that they see. Fortunately, I never have to worry that they’re not going to be interested. The minute they see the insect-eating plants or they realize they’re actually floating on the boardwalk instead of standing on solid ground, they’re completely engaged.

Any particularly memorable bog tours over the years?

We’ve had a number of state representatives and county commissioners visit over the years. There was a group of Japanese dignitaries once that The Nature Conservancy brought through. We had some Russian scientists who brought a translator and they shared that they had similar boreal bogs back home, even if some of the species were different.

Another memorable encounter was when a group of 4th graders and I came face to face with a black bear on the boardwalk. After a minute, it moved away—and we weren’t about to go after it—but I’m sure those kids still talk about that to this day.

What big changes have you observed since you first started?

The audience has changed over the generations and so has technology. You used to just have a camera, or maybe a field guide that you pulled out, and you’d have to try to match a picture or take it back to show someone to try to identify it. Today, you have your smartphone. And that tech element can be a very good thing in many ways, but you do lose a little bit of that old wonder, too.

But one of the most impressive things that really hits home is when you stand in the middle of the boardwalk, away from the traffic and housing of Monroe County, and you realize that this bog itself hasn’t fundamentally changed in thousands of years. It really gives you a deep sense of optimism that it is possible to protect natural spaces. My greatest hope is that the work I’ve done has helped TNC raise awareness and share its mission with others not just in Pennsylvania but maybe even around the world.

What does retirement hold for you?

I’m looking forward to having more time to fish, which is a big passion of mine. But I’m not going to disappear from the bog. I don’t ever want to stop being an educator and will still be around helping out whenever I can and enjoying all the people that I get to meet.

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