Blakeslee offers a distinctive contrast in natural landscapes: Tobyhanna Falls, a tiered waterfall, is located in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area; the Thomas Darling Preserve protects a diverse wetland landscape. There are also hiking trails, opportunities for observing nature and traces of the area’s park history. This makes it easier to choose the focus of your stay: waterfall and creek, wetlands, hiking, or a regional cultural or event theme each appeal to different interests.

Waterfall and wetlands

The Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area comprises about 130 acres of protected land. Tobyhanna Falls is a tiered waterfall and a highlight of the area. The Thomas Darling Preserve offers a different focus: its glacial wetland complex includes black spruce and tamarack forests, sphagnum bogs, fens and open wet meadows. The spring-fed stream Two-Mile Run is also part of the preserve. Comparing the landscape themes, the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area centers on a waterfall and creek, while the Thomas Darling Preserve features the different elements of a wetland.

Hiking trails and activities

The Thomas Darling Preserve has a two-mile loop trail with a network of boardwalks. Activities there include hiking, birdwatching, wildlife watching and photography. This lets you tailor your visit in different ways: to the trail itself or to observing and photographing nature.

The Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area has 2.59 miles of hiking trails. The Creek Trail runs for 1.14 miles along Tobyhanna Creek. In terms of trail length, it is shorter than the two-mile loop at the Thomas Darling Preserve. The 2.59 miles refers to the hiking trails in the Austin area; it is a different point of reference from the length of a single named trail. This lets you compare the trails using their respective measures without treating them as one shared route.

Park history and regional attractions

The Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area also has a history as a park. Remnants of Harrison Park include a stone foundation of the building that housed a roller skating rink, as well as an artesian well. These traces add a specific historical aspect to the focus on nature.

In the wider region, the Pocono Bike and Hike Trail System includes more than 28 miles of hiking and biking trails and combines ecotourism with cultural tourism. This is a broader framework than the individual, specifically named trails in Blakeslee’s protected areas. Covered bridges are among the visitor attractions in the Township of Tobyhanna near Blakeslee.

Live NASCAR races at Pocono Raceway may be another reason to visit the region. Race dates and availability vary by season. If a race is the deciding factor in your trip, check the dates in advance. This helps distinguish local nature and park attractions from a regional event visit and tailor your plans to your main interest.

Discover more destinations: Albrightsville, Skytop, Mountainhome, Stroudsburg, Scotrun, Tannersville, Mt Pocono, East Stroudsburg.

For the broader travel overview: Monroe.