Pollarine Tract

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania contain a 2,400-acre tract of old-growth forest known as the Polarine Tract.


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Summary

This area is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and birdwatchers. The Polarine Tract is home to several species of rare plants and animals, including the bog turtle and the Canada lynx.

Visitors to the Polarine Tract can explore the trails that wind through the forest, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. There are also several scenic overlooks that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

One of the most interesting facts about the Polarine Tract is that it was once owned by the Polaroid Corporation, which used it as a research and development site for its instant film technology. The company donated the land to the Nature Conservancy in 1992 to help preserve the unique ecosystem.

The best time to visit the Polarine Tract is in the fall, when the leaves on the trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. However, the area is beautiful year-round, with wildflowers blooming in the spring and summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities in the winter.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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