[4] It is one of the few remaining boreal bogs in the southern United States, [5] unusual in harboring many plants and animals that are normally only seen in more northern climates.

[2][6] Cranesville Swamp is situated in a natural bowl, or "frost pocket," creating a climate that is more consistent with more northerly regions.

[6][4] Cranesville Swamp's unusual setting allows 19 different plant communities to flourish, [7] with the most dominant species being, among others, sphagnum moss, speckled alder (Alnus rugosa), various sedges (Carex folliculata, and C. stricta) and grasses.

Bog species include round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and narrowleaf gentian (Gentiana linearis).

[2] In addition to black bear, porcupine, snowshoe hare and a wide variety of birds, the rare northern water shrew has been documented here.