Upper Paradise Nature Preserve | Scenic Trails & Wildlife in the Pocono Mountains

The Upper Paradise Nature Preserve in Cresco, managed by the Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT), offers a peaceful escape into the natural world. This preserved landscape features a network of hiking trails, pristine woodlands, and access to a Class A Wild Trout Fishery, making it a standout destination for outdoor recreation and nature observation in the Pocono Mountains. Whether you’re hiking, birdwatching, or casting a line into Cranberry Creek, the preserve offers a rich outdoor experience in every season.

Upper Paradise is home to a vibrant ecosystem. Anglers can enjoy Cranberry Creek, which supports thriving populations of native brook trout. Birders will find a variety of songbirds, woodpeckers, and raptors, while deer, foxes, and small mammals are often spotted along the trails. The wetlands and streams also attract amphibians like frogs and salamanders, as well as turtles and other reptiles.

Visitors are treated to a diverse landscape that includes hemlock ravines, rhododendron thickets, and seasonal wildflowers like trillium and mountain laurel. The preserve also features a mix of hardwood trees, including oak, birch, and maple, offering a colorful backdrop especially during the fall.

Visitor Information

The preserve is bisected by railroad tracks and has two access points. Visitors can park at the main trailhead at 192 Henry’s Crossing Road or near the kiosk at 424 Cranberry Creek Road, which connects through the Nothstein Preserve. Both access points offer peaceful entry into one of Cresco’s most scenic natural areas.