Flora & Fauna
Black bear, white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrels, raccoons and a variety of songbirds are abundant in state parks and the national forest. The largest free-roaming wild elk herd east of the Mississippi also takes up residence near Benezette. They can be seen along many roadways, particularly Rte. 555, and at the Winslow Hill viewing area.
Fishers were reintroduced in the Allegheny National Forest and the Quehanna Wild Area. Otters were also released in the Tionesta Creek and upper Allegheny River.
Several federally endangered species live within and around the Allegheny National Forest. Riffeshell and Clubshell mussels inhabit the Allegheny River Wilderness Islands. Bald Eagles are a common sight along shorelines of the Allegheny in Tionesta and Kellettville.
The Cook Forest and Clear Creek areas consist primarily of ancient white pine and hemlock. The Forest Cathedral in Cook Forest is a National Natural Landmark and one of the finest stands of virgin timber east of the Mississippi.
Bendigo is made up of a mixture of northern hardwoods while Parker Dam and S. B. Elliott, once major pine and hemlock forests, now exist as an upland hardwood forest.
Pennsylvania's only national forest, the Allegheny, is made up of Allegheny, northern, and upland hardwoods as well as oak types.
Pennsylvania's state flower, the Mountain Laurel, blooms mid-June while it's larger counterpart, Rhododendron, is at it's peak early to mid-July.
