Varden Conservation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Pocono Wetlands — 965-acre conservation area in the Pocono Mountains — protecting headwater wetlands and glacial bog habitats
Varden Conservation Area protects 965 acres of wetlands and forest in the Pocono Mountains of Wayne County — one of the most ecologically important headwater areas in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Poconos were shaped by glaciers during the last Ice Age — the Wisconsin glacier left behind kettle lakes, bogs, and moraines across the plateau. The region receives 50+ inches of precipitation annually — making it one of the wettest areas in Pennsylvania. Varden’s wetlands serve as critical headwaters for streams that feed the Lackawaxen River and ultimately the Delaware River.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Wayne County, PA (Poconos!) |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Size | 965 acres! |
| Rain | 50+ inches — wettest in PA! |
About Varden
Varden Conservation Area in Wayne County protects a 985-acre tract in the Pocono Plateau of northeastern Pennsylvania — the glaciated highland that draws millions of visitors annually from the New York and Philadelphia metro areas. The conservation area includes a 36-acre lake and surrounding forest in one of the most heavily glaciated landscapes in Pennsylvania. The Poconos were carved by the Wisconsinan ice sheet, which retreated just 12,000 years ago.
Things to Do
Fishing for bass, pickerel, and panfish in Varden Lake, hiking through glacial terrain, hunting (seasonal), birdwatching, swimming, and exploring the Pocono Plateau landscape.
Insider Tips
Pocono highlands: Varden Conservation Area protects highland forest and wetlands in Wayne County — the Pocono Plateau’s highest terrain. Pro tip: Wayne County is one of Pennsylvania’s best birding destinations — the boreal-like habitat supports species typically found much farther north. Bog ecology: The area contains sphagnum bogs — acidic wetlands that preserve Ice Age plant communities.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Warbler migration and bog wildflowers. Summer: Cool plateau temperatures. Fall: Pocono foliage. Winter: Snowy owl territory in irruption years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sphagnum bog?
Sphagnum bogs are acidic wetlands where sphagnum moss accumulates faster than it decomposes — creating a spongy, water-saturated landscape. Bogs are relicts of the Ice Age — the cool, acidic conditions preserve plant communities that have persisted for 10,000+ years. Pennsylvania’s bogs support carnivorous sundews, pitcher plants, and cranberries — species usually associated with northern Canada.
