The Lehigh Gorge State Park, Hickory Run State Park and Nescopeck State Park in the Poconos offer unlimited outdoor fun!
Written by: Amber Jadus, Public Relations, PoconoBikeRental.com Photo Credits: Nicholas Toro, Tom Williams and stock (rf) photos.
You look down to see a handlebar, a tire, a path zipping by beneath you. You look around to take in the trees, the Lehigh Gorge, the wind in your face. This is your surroundings on the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail at face value. What may not be as easily observed is the history behind it all. What was once used to transport coal is now home to an array of recreational activities from biking to hiking to white water rafting. Looking around at the current scenery is only scratching at the surface. If you choose to bike or hike in the Lehigh Gorge State Park, try stopping now and again to scan the sides of the river. You can find evidence of past river transportation methods from a series of dams, locks, and canals from the historical markers along the way. Not only are there sights to see and activities to do along the bike trail, there are also numerous other places to check out at a couple nearby parks.
One local architectural marvel, The Francis E. Walter Dam, lies on the Lehigh River just below Bear Creek. After flooding that prohibited the river’s ability to transport goods, the dam was necessary to salvage the river’s usefulness. With a storage capacity of nearly 36 billion gallons of water, the dam lends a safe area to catch a fish, grill it, and picnic tables to sit down and eat it. You can boat; canoe, kayak and Stand-up Paddle Board (SUP) just have all your paperwork in order. A unique feature at this dam is its shoreline boulders and steep cliffs right off the water. The “Dam” as it is called, is also where you can find 2 Championship Level Disc Golf Courses which are FREE to play. Local retailer PoconoBikeRental.com sells and rents the “Frisbee golf” discs to play with. Located less than 8 miles north of the White Haven biking trail head, this spot is worth the 15-minute drive.
Maybe you showed up to the Poconos on a whim with no fishing pole and no desire to rent a bike or raft. With a total of 96 miles’ worth of hiking between the three local state parks, you can quickly get lost trying to explore all the woodlands at your disposal. Hickory Run State Park has 24 lettered hiking trails as shown on their park map, Nescopeck features two quaintly-named trails, and the Lehigh Gorge has 26 mainline miles and 7 miles of unmarked hiking. While all three state parks enable hiking, each park offers its own set of unique attractions that deserves an individual trip.
The Lehigh Gorge State Park’s main attraction, the Lehigh River, is nothing short of magnificent. Home to Class 3 whitewater rapids, the park offers a rafting experience that is both challenging and thrilling. If you would rather stay dry on your trip, you can catch the views of the river from the famous Lehigh Gorge Bike Trail. Part of the D&L Trail Network, this biking and hiking trail is ranked one of the Top 100 Rail Trails in the US. A further option is to check out combination trips. Many different local outdoor businesses have joined forces to offer combo packages that can be booked in advanced. Some quick research on the shops’ websites will ensure you have time to tackle all the activities offered at reasonable prices. For more information on Pocono Bike Rental’s Outdoor Adventure Packages: Poconobikerental.com/pocono-fun/
A 12-minute drive from White Haven offers over 40 miles of hiking in the Hickory Run State Park. This park, having the most miles of trails to explore, gives you a unique look into the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains. Beneath your feet, the rocky soil serves as a reminder of what once covered the region, a gigantic sheet of ice. This glacial till is spilled away by a remote mountain stream called Mud Run. Here is where you might spot a fisherman or two in search of their prized trout. There’s also always the possibility of bumping into some slightly wilder creatures like a black bear. Better admired from afar, these animals are native to the habitat. The beauty of this park is that your visit does not need to be wrapped up in just one day. With amenities that enable anything from basic camping all the way to RV hook-ups and cabin rentals, you can take off your hiking boots and spend the night. The Hickory Run State Park Championship-level disc golf course is also a great option for the day or to play as part of a package with another outdoor adventure.
Popping up on Honey Hill Road, Nescopeck State Park unravels across the mountains. The park’s combinations of wetlands, forestry, and the pristine Nescopeck Creek harbors over 160 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 30 species of amphibians and reptiles and over 650 species of plants. Whether you wish to observe its inhabitants from afar, or you’re more driven to reel in one or two on a fishing pole, this territory provides opportunities for whatever you may prefer. PA Boating laws apply on its 9-acre lake; call the park for more information on this and any other questions you have.
The recreational activities at these parks cater to adventure-seekers of all ages and budgets. With East Stroudsburg University being under an hour away, college kids have three parks with a variety of mainly free activities for a cheap yet memorable trip. If you are looking to explore beautiful scenery at a reasonable price, a good option is to rent a bike for around $20 and alternate between soaring down the trails and taking the time to jump off periodically to hike along the way. Populated by both natural animal wildlife and like-minded adventure-seekers out for a visit of their own, you never know what you’ll find on the trail. Whether you grab your hiking boots, your bike, your kayak, or your fishing rod for the trip, we will be here anxiously awaiting your next adventure to the Pocono Mountains!
Here’s what’s happening in August at the local state parks in the Poconos:
- Nescopeck State Park offers educational programs on:
Star Gazing, Saturday, August 13th at 8:00 PM – FREE – Reg. Req.
Hiking Series #5, Tuesday, August 16th at 9:00 AM – FREE – Reg. Req.
Golden Day Out, Friday, August 19, 10:00 AM – $10 – Reg. Req.
Volunteer Work Day, Tuesday, August 23, 5:30 PM – Reg. Req.
For more info and to reserve your spot:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/nescopeck/
- Lehigh Gorge State Park:
Whitewater Dam Release Weekend, August 6th, 7th
Whitewater Dam Release Weekend, August 13th, 14th
Whitewater Dam Release Weekend, August 20th, 21st
Whitewater Dam Release Weekend, August 27th, 28th
Lehigh Gorge Bike Trail open 7 days a week Sunrise to Sunset
For more info and to reserve your outdoor adventures:
http://poconobikerental.com/pocono-fun/
- Hickory Run State Park:
Star Gazing, Saturday, August 8th at 8:30 PM – FREE – Reg. Req.
Hiking Series #5, Tuesday, August 16th at 9:00 AM – FREE – Reg. Req.
For more info and to reserve your spot:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/hickoryrun/
Pocono Biking on the Lehigh Gorge Trail – Compilation – Presented By: PoconoBikeRental.com
This is a compilation video of most of our Lehigh Gorge Trail and Pocono Bike Rental videos to date. We hope you enjoy this brief summary of our video adventures in 2015 biking on the Lehigh Gorge Trail in the Poconos. Pocono biking in the Lehigh Gorge Trail System is unlike any other biking experience in the world! What awaits you is a class 3 pristine whitewater river along side a smooth surfaced rail trail that sits deep inside a forest covered gorge created millions of years ago. It offers spectacular waterfalls, beautiful plants, trees and animals unique to the Poconos and this region of the world. Stay tuned for more by subscribing to our YouTube channel!
