From Lake Wallenpaupack’s bald eagles to Delaware Water Gap’s black bears, NEPA’s seven-county region hosts 260 bird species and nature’s wildest show

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — Across Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, the Pocono Mountains region spanning nearly 2,000 square miles has become one of the Northeast’s premier wildlife sanctuaries. Whether you’re hiking trails in Jim Thorpe, fishing Lake Wallenpaupack, or exploring the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, you’re entering territory claimed by over 260 bird species, 60 mammal species, and enough fish, reptiles, and amphibians to rival any nature documentary.

Monroe County’s Megafauna

White-tailed deer dominate the landscape from Stroudsburg to Tobyhanna, spotted so frequently along Route 611 and Interstate 380 that locals barely notice anymore. These graceful athletes can sprint at 40 mph and leap 8 feet high—essential skills for navigating the increasingly developed corridor between East Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono.

Black bears have claimed Monroe County as prime habitat, with populations thriving in Pocono Township, Barrett Township, and the forests surrounding Tannersville. These 400-pound opportunists are “just as afraid of you as you are of them,” according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials—unless garbage is involved.

“They have poor eyesight but an incredible sense of smell,” warns one wildlife expert. “If they smell food, they will come. They aren’t afraid of humans when dinner is on the line.”

Residents in communities around Big Pocono State Park and Gouldsboro State Park know this firsthand. Securing trash isn’t a suggestion—it’s survival.

Pike County’s Aerial Kingdom

Pike County’s extensive waterways—including the Delaware River corridor and portions of Lake Wallenpaupack—have made it a crucial stopover for migratory birds and a year-round home for bald eagles. The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, which borders Pike County’s eastern edge near Milford, ranks as one of the most important eagle hotspots in the Northeastern United States.

Winter brings spectacular sightings as bald eagles gather near open water to hunt fish. Watching these majestic birds glide over the frozen Delaware River or perch above Shohola Falls creates the kind of moment that reminds people why they moved to Pike County in the first place.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, straddling the Monroe-Pike county border, offers 100 miles of hiking trails where visitors encounter rabbits, deer, rodents, and possibly the elusive black bear. More than 260 bird species have been documented across the region, including great blue herons stalking the shallows near Dingmans Ferry, turkey vultures circling above Promised Land State Park in Pike County, and wood ducks nesting along quiet streams.

Wayne County’s Hidden Gems

Wayne County’s northern forests provide critical habitat for some of Pennsylvania’s rarest species. The northern flying squirrel—endangered in Pennsylvania but thriving elsewhere—maintains its primary state population in the old-growth forests of Wayne County and surrounding areas.

These nocturnal acrobats don’t actually fly but glide up to 300 feet between trees using a membrane of skin stretched between their legs. Spotting one requires patience, darkness, and luck—they’re active only at night and prefer mature forests with tall launching trees.

Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania’s third-largest lake spanning Wayne and Pike counties, serves as a year-round attraction for anglers and wildlife observers alike. Bald eagles hunt above its 52 miles of shoreline. Osprey dive for fish near Ledgedale. Great blue herons stalk the shallows around Hawley and Greentown.

The lake’s diverse fish population includes yellow perch, pickerel, muskellunge—the toothy prehistoric-looking predator—plus abundant bass, trout, and panfish that draw thousands of anglers annually to Wayne County’s northern waters.

Carbon County’s Mountain Residents

Jim Thorpe and the Lehigh Gorge State Park in Carbon County provide dramatic scenery matched by equally impressive wildlife. The county’s elevation changes—from the Lehigh River valley to Blue Mountain ridges—create diverse habitats supporting everything from river otters and fishers to ospreys and hawks.

Wild turkeys have made a remarkable comeback across Carbon County’s forests. These large birds, once nearly extinct in Pennsylvania, now roam from Palmerton to Weatherly, foraging for acorns and insects. In winter, their tracks crisscross the snow throughout Beltzville State Park and the surrounding woodlands.

The Lehigh River flowing through Jim Thorpe supports thriving trout populations—brown, rainbow, and brook varieties prefer the cold, clear water. The river also hosts smallmouth bass, making Carbon County a destination for fly-fishing enthusiasts from across the region.

Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties’ Urban-Wild Interface

The more populated counties of Lackawanna and Luzerne—home to Scranton and Wilkes-Barre—maintain surprising wildlife populations despite urban development. White-tailed deer routinely wander through suburban neighborhoods. Black bears occasionally appear in residential areas, particularly in communities near Lackawanna State Park and Ricketts Glen State Park.

Coyotes have established territories throughout both counties, their nighttime howls now common in townships from Clarks Summit to Dallas. Red foxes prowl year-round, their russet coats visible against snow in winter and summer grass alike.

Bird watchers find success at Frances Slocum State Park in Luzerne County and Moon Lake Park in Lackawanna County, where great egrets, mallards, and Canada geese congregate. The Susquehanna River corridor provides migration routes for dozens of species traveling between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas.

Schuylkill County’s Northern Edge

Schuylkill County’s northern townships—bordering the core Pocono region—offer transition habitat where mountain forests meet agricultural valleys. The county’s diverse landscape from Pottsville north toward the Carbon County line supports healthy populations of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bears.

Bobcats, though rarely seen, inhabit the rocky, forested areas throughout northern Schuylkill County. These solitary, stealthy predators are mostly nocturnal, making sightings “a rare treat.” Their tracks appear more frequently in winter snow, providing evidence of their presence throughout the region’s remote areas.

The Night Shift Across NEPA

After sunset across all seven counties, a different cast of characters emerges. Red foxes hunt in fields from Honesdale to Hazleton. Raccoons—those “masked bandits”—raid garbage cans from Stroudsburg to Scranton. Eastern screech owls call from trees in Milford and Mount Pocono.

Skunks waddle through backyards across the region, peaceful until threatened. “These black and white scroungers will walk right by you without you even noticing,” warns one wildlife guide. “You’re safe so long as you don’t threaten them. If you do, you might get sprayed. Trust me; you don’t want that to happen. You will stink for a week.”

The Prickly Residents

Porcupines inhabit forests throughout Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon counties, each armed with 30,000 sharp quills—nature’s “don’t touch” warning label. These slow-moving rodents prefer solitude, which works out nicely since anyone ignoring that preference ends up explaining their injuries at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono or Wayne Memorial Hospital.

Aquatic Life Across County Lines

The interconnected waterways spanning NEPA counties create diverse aquatic habitats. The Delaware River forms Pike County’s eastern boundary, supporting smallmouth bass, trout, and American eels. Tobyhanna Creek flows through Monroe County. Lackawaxen River winds through Pike and Wayne counties. The Lehigh River cuts through Carbon County’s dramatic gorge.

Promised Land State Park in Pike County attracts anglers seeking pickerel and muskellunge. Gouldsboro State Park in Monroe and Wayne counties offers excellent trout fishing. Beltzville Lake in Carbon County hosts bass tournaments throughout summer.

Box turtles, wood turtles, painted turtles, and snapping turtles frequent ponds and streams across all seven counties. Most snakes in the region are nonvenomous, though the timber rattlesnake—Pennsylvania’s largest venomous snake—inhabits rocky, forested areas throughout the Poconos, particularly in Carbon and Monroe counties.

Three Rabbits, Countless Squirrels

Eastern cottontails, Appalachian cottontails, and snowshoe hares inhabit the region from Lackawanna County north to Wayne County and everywhere between. All three species can hit 18 mph when motivated—usually by anything with teeth and an appetite.

Eastern chipmunks build underground burrows throughout the seven-county region. Red squirrels, living up to 10 years, chatter territorial warnings from trees across every county. Southern and northern flying squirrels provide evening entertainment with their gliding exhibitions, particularly in the mature forests of Wayne, Pike, and Carbon counties.

Living Among the Wild

For residents across Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, wildlife encounters define daily life. Deer block morning commutes on Route 940. Bears raid garbage in Pocono Pines and Greentown. Eagles circle above Lake Wallenpaupack and the Delaware River. Turkeys stop traffic in Jim Thorpe.

The tradeoff for living in one of the Northeast’s most biodiverse regions? Longer drives to grocery stores, more wildlife crossing signs, and the constant knowledge that just beyond the back porch, 260 bird species, 60 mammal species, and countless fish, reptiles, and amphibians are thriving across northeastern Pennsylvania’s seven-county natural kingdom.

Just remember to secure your garbage. Those bears don’t recognize county lines.