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State Park Overview |
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Trails |
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The 26-mile Lehigh Gorge Trail is open for biking. Wide tires are recommended. Bicycle rentals and shuttle service are available throughout the area.
Hiking
Hikers need to be aware that the Gorge is a natural area that possesses natural hazards like steep and treacherous terrain and fast-moving water. Hikers must protect themselves from life-threatening accidents. You are responsible for you and your familys safety. Wear proper hiking shoes and use extreme caution when hiking in the gorge. |
Fishing and Hunting |
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Fishing
Fishing in the river and streams is permitted during seasons established by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The northern section from the Francis E. Walter Dam to Sandy Run is stocked with trout and is most popular with anglers. Whitewater boating between the Francis E. Walter Dam and White Haven is discouraged to promote this section for fishing activities.
Hunting
Most of the park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, bear and small game. The park also provides access to state game lands 40, 141 and 149, which adjoin the park.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information. |
History of the Area |
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Settlement was sparse during the 19th century until loggers arrived and began felling trees and building sawmills. Famed naturalist and painter John James Audubon visited the area in 1829 and spent six weeks painting birds. He was distressed at how quickly trees were cut and shipped down river. The industrial revolution was just beginning in the area.
The discovery of anthracite coal at Summit Hill in 1791 caused intensive development and settlement of the upper Lehigh Valley. In the early 1800s, the need to transport increasingly large quantities of coal to markets down river led to the intensive development of canals. Between 1835 and 1838, a series of dams, locks, and canals was constructed by Josiah White and the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. White constructed 20 dams and 29 locks over the 26 miles between Mauch Chunk (now Jim Thorpe) and White Haven. Five and one-half miles of canal were also built. It was called the Upper Grand Section of the Lehigh Canal because the locks and dams were larger and far more impressive than the locks of other canals.
When severe flooding in the mid-1800s destroyed the canal system, it was replaced with the new technology of railroads. Remains of locks, dams and towpath are still evident in the Lehigh River Gorge.
Loggers continued to clearcut the huge white pine and hemlock trees for lumber and for the bark, which was used to tan hides. In the 1860s, the second largest tannery in the United States sat on the banks of the Lehigh River at the small town of Lehigh Tannery.
A terrible forest fire swept through the Lehigh Gorge area in 1875, burning the remaining standing timber, many sawmills and stockpiles of lumber. The sawmills closed and the loggers departed.
At the turn of the 20th century, railroads popularized the southern end of the canal as a resort called Glen Onoko. Hotel Wahnetah boasted 47 rooms, a dance pavilion, tennis courts, fresh air and hikes to the scenic Glen Onoko Falls. A fire in 1911 closed the hotel and a fire in 1917 ended the resort era. The gorge lay forgotten.
In the 1970s, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began purchasing parklands and in 1980 the land was turned over to the Bureau of State Parks. |
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Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | |
This 105 year old Victorian hotel is centrally located within minutes of many activities. Enjoy a delicious meal in our romantic dining room. A continental breakfast is included in your stay. |
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More Info | |
This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Begin your ... history in the 50th Anniversary Brochure. Lehigh Gorge State Park Lehigh Gorge State Park contains 4,548 acres of ... | |
Poconos BestInformation about Pocono vacations, events, entertainment, real estate, maps, restaurants, shopping, places to stay, pocono hotels, skiing, golf, summer activities, education,... | |
Biking at Whitewater Challengers Outdoor Center in Pennsylvania is fun for the whole family, with whitewater rafting, camping and food service opportunities on site.> ... | |
Under the PA Forest Lands Beautification Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has teamed up with nonprofit PA CleanWays to remove illegally dumped... | |
Pocono Whitewater Adventures, white water rafting, river canoeing, paintball, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking on the Lehigh River and in Lehigh Gorge State Park. Located in Jim Thorpe,... | |
Pocono Whitewater Adventures, white water rafting, river canoeing, paintball, mountain ... | |
Whitewater Challengers. Fun for everyone, with Guided River Trips, Biking and more! Womens Outdoor Weekend. WOW! August 161718 October 111213. A Terrific Get-Away Weekend. Learn... | |
Under the PA Forest Lands Beautification Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has teamed up with nonprofit PA CleanWays to remove illegally dumped... | |
This trail is located in the Lehigh Gorge State Park, an area best known for its whitewater rafting. The trail was built along a rail line that was originally constructed by the Central Railroad... |
Nature Programs |
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Area Campgrounds | | 81/80 RV Park
718 N Old Turnpike Rd
Drums, PA
(570) 788-3382
| Lehigh Gorge Campground
4585 State St
White Haven, PA
(570) 443-9191
| Whitewater Challengers
288 N Stagecoach Rd
Weatherly, PA
(570) 427-4355
| Sandy Valley Campground
199 Valley Rd
White Haven, PA
(570) 636-0206
| Rosemount
285 Valley Road
Tamaqua, PA
(570) 668-2580
| Donald George Painting Contr
735 57 Dr
Palmerton, PA
(610) 381-3381
| Don Laine Campgrounds
790 57 Drive
Palmerton, PA
(610) 381-3381
| Don Laine Campgrounds
790 57 Dr
Palmerton, PA
(610) 381-3381
| Locust Lake State Park
151 Locust Lake Rd
Barnesville, PA
(570) 467-0317
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Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Steve's Sporting Goods
239 W 11th St
Hazleton, PA
(570) 459-1885
| Seventh Sense Fishing Products
4822 Blue Ridge Trl
Mountain Top, PA
(570) 868-6010
| Bear's Head Fly Tying Shop
34 Walnut St
Delano, PA
(570) 467-2303
| Keystone Fish & Hunt Club
421 N Nescopec St
Tamaqua, PA
(570) 668-0780
| West Penn Rod & Gun Club
1047 Clamtown Rd
Tamaqua, PA
(570) 386-1123
| Palmerton Rod & Gun Club Inc
RR 1
Palmerton, PA
(610) 377-3404
| Bowmanstown Rod & Gun Club
525 Club Rd
Palmerton, PA
(610) 852-4051
| Hazleton Owls Rod & Gun Club
981 Grant St
Hazleton, PA
(570) 454-0942
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Area Resorts and Lodging | | Beech Mountain Lakes
Route 309
Drums, PA
(570) 788-5071
| Mountain Laurel Resort & Spa The
State Highway 940
White Haven, PA
(570) 443-8411
| Harmony Lake Shore Inn
LK Hrmny
White Haven, PA
(570) 722-0522
| Mountaintop Lodge
Route 940
Pocono Pines, PA
(570) 646-6636
| Eagle Rock
1031 Valley of Lks
Hazleton, PA
(570) 384-3223
| Sunny Rest Lodge
425 Sunny Rest Dr
Palmerton, PA
(610) 377-2911
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White Haven is the northern access area and can be reached off of Exit 273 of I-80. Follow PA 940 east to the Thriftway store. Go through the Thriftway parking lot and bear left to the state park access area.
Rockport is the central access area and can be reached from the south by following US 209 south from Jim Thorpe to PA 93 north, continuing to SR 2055 (Lehigh Gorge Drive), through Weatherly into the small village of Rockport at SR 4014. Rockport is accessible from the north by following PA 940 west from Exit 273 off I-80, left onto SR 2055 (Lehigh Gorge Drive) continuing to the small village of Rockport at SR 4014.
Glen Onoko is the southern access area and may be reached by taking Exit 74 of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Follow US 209 south to Jim Thorpe. Then take PA 903 north across the river to Coalport Road. Turn off of Coalport to Glen Onoko.
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