SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE
Northeastern Pennsylvania represent nature’s finest playground, delighting residents and visitors with four-season grandeur. Snow-capped mountains, rushing streams, rolling rivers, deep forests, vast woodlands, and pristine wetlands are available for enjoyment and exploration. World-class fishing, winter sports, camping, hiking, biking, and horseback riding are all popular activities. Regardless of where you settle in this beautiful region, the ideal backdrop for every imaginable outdoor activity will be close to home.
Parks, Gardens and Nature Centers
Allentown Rose and Old-Fashioned Gardens
2600 Parkway Boulevard
Allentown 610-437-7750
www.allentownpa.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope 215-862-2924
www.bhwp.org
Bushkill Falls
Route 209 to Bushkill Falls Road
Bushkill 888-287-4545
www.visitbushkillfalls.com
Cedar Creek Parkway
3600 Haines Mill Road
Allentown
www.allentownpa.org/text/parks.htm
Crystal Cave Park
963 Crystal Cave Road
Kutztown 610-683-6765
www.crystalcavepa.com
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Kittatinny Ridge near Stroudsburg
570-426-2452
www.nps.gov/dewa
Dutch Springs
4733 Hanoverville Road
Bethlehem 610-759-2270
www.dutchsprings.com
Endless Mountains Nature Center
1309 Vosburg Road
Tunkhannock 570-836-3835
http://endlessnature.org
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
1700 Hawk Mountain Road
Kempton 610-756-6961
www.hawkmountain.org
Hugh Moore Park
2750 Hugh Moore Park Road
Easton 610-923-3548
www.canals.org/hmp/index.html
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
400 Belfast Road
Nazareth 610-746-2801
www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/JacobsburgEnvironmentalEducationCenter
Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary
Monroe County Environmental Education Center
8050 Running Valley Road
Stroudsburg 570-629-3061
www.mcconservation.org
Leaser Lake
Route 143
Jacksonville
Lehigh Parkway
Allentown
Lost River Caverns
Durham Street
Hellertown 610-838-8767
www.lostcave.com
Minsi Lake Wilderness Area
Johnsonville Road
Johnsonville
www.northamptoncounty.org
Neshaminy State Park
3401 State Road
Bensalem 215-639-4538
www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/NeshaminyStatePark
Nockamixon State Park
1542 Mountain View Drive
Quakertown 215-529-7300
www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/NockamixonStatePark
Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
2910 New Holland Road
Reading 610-796-3699
www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/NoldeForestEnvironmentalEducationCenter
Rodale Institute Experimental Farm
611 Siegfriedale Road
Kutztown 610-683-1400
www.rodaleinstitute.org
Silver Lake Nature Center
1306 Bath Road
Bristol 215-785-1177
www.silverlakenaturecenter.org
Trexler Game Preserve and Lehigh Valley Zoo
5150 Game Preserve Road
Schnecksville 610-799-4171
www.lvzoo.org
Valley Vineyards
Big Creek Vineyard
120 Keller Road
Kresgeeville 610-681-3959
www.bigcreekvineyard.com
Blue Mountain Vineyards
7627 Grape Vine Drive
New Tripoli 610-298-3068
www.bluemountainwine.com
Clover Hill Vineyards
9850 Newtown Road
Breinigsville 610-395-2468
www.cloverhillwinery.com
Franklin Hill Vineyards
7883 Franklin Hill Road
Bangor 888-887-2839
www.franklinhillvineyards.com
Pinnacle Ridge Winery
407 Old Route 22
Kutztown 610-756-4481
www.pinridge.com
Vynecrest Winery
172 Arrowhead Lane
Breinigsville 610-398-7525
www.vynecrest.com
Discover the Appalachian Trail
From Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail winds through the ridges and valleys of the Appalachian mountain ranges for more than 2,170 miles. The Pennsylvania portion of the Appalachian Trail begins in the Cumberland Valley and meanders through panoramic state forestlands and environmental centers. The mountains visible from the trail are ideal for skiing, while the trout streams of Boiling Springs are popular with anglers. For more information on hiking the Appalachian Trail including maps, contact the Appalachian Trail Conference based in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia:
Appalachian Trail
304-535-6331
www.appalachiantrail.org
Regional Highlights
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Harpers Ferry, WV 304-535-6331
www.appalachiantrail.org
Covering nearly 2,160 miles, this spectacular footpath runs from Maine to Georgia, traversing 14 states. The 229-mile Pennsylvania section follows mountain ridges east of the Alleghenies to the Susquehanna River, crossing the Great Valley of the Appalachians to the Blue Ridge.
Boulder Field
Hickory Run State Park
PA Highway 534
White Haven 570-443-0400
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Covering 16 acres, this National Natural Landmark represents a unique geological formation of periglacial origin in Carbon County.
Delaware & Hudson Canal Towpath
Beach Lake 570-685-4871
www.nps.gov/upde
Stroll, jog, or bicycle along the D&H Canal’s towpath, originally used for mules that were pulling canal boats.
F.M. Kirby Park
160 Market Street
Kingston 570-208-4240
www.wilkes-barre.city
Just across the Market Street Bridge, this amenity-rich, 52-acre park serves as the recreational jewel of the Wilkes-Barre community.
Glens Natural Area
Ricketts Glen State Park
695 State Route 487
Benton 570-477-5675
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Nearly 2,900 acres make up this National Natural Landmark, where the branches of Kitchen Creek and their scenic waterfalls flow through old growth forests in Luzerne County.
Lake Wallenpaupack
Route 6
Hawley
This mammoth man-made lake covers 5,700 acres and features 52 miles of shoreline as well as six recreational areas, forest lands, wildlife, walking trails, campsites, and boat slips.
Little Mud Pond Swamp Natural Area
Delaware State Forest
Swiftwater 570-895-4000
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry
The boreal conifer swamp in this preserve creates a glacial bog habitat and supports species usually found in more northern latitudes.
Long Pond
Long Pond Road
Long Pond 570-643-7922
www.nature.org
Reflecting a northern Canadian landscape because of its glacial past, this vast area has been designated by the Audubon Society as one of the “Important Bird Areas of Pennsylvania.”
Mauch Chunk Lake Park
625 Lentz Trail
Jim Thorpe 570-325-3669
www.carboncounty.com/parks.htm
Four-season recreational and outdoor activities are available at this vast county park with its beautiful centerpiece lake, cross-country ski areas, environmental education center, camping areas, and picnic sites.
McDade Park
1 Bald Mountain Road
Scranton 570-963-6764
www.luzernecounty.org
Home to some of Scranton’s most celebrated attractions including the Anthracite Heritage Museum and the Scranton Public Theater, the park is filled with amenities and sports facilities.
Middle Delaware National Scenic River
Bushkill 570-426-2452
www.nps.gov/dewa
Distinguished as one of America’s cleanest rivers, the Middle Delaware watershed provides water for 10 percent of the nation’s population.
Moon Lake Park
196 Moon Lake Road
Hunlock Creek 570-477-5467
www.dcnr.pa.gov
More than 600 acres of fields and forests surround a 48-acre lake to offer a wide array of developed amenities including a marina, camping area, swimming pool, sports fields and courts, and a nature education center.
Nay Aug Park
Mulberry Street
Scranton 570-348-4186
www.scrantonpa.gov/nayaug_park.html
Brimming over with attractions and outstanding features, this urban oasis offers walking trails, picnic areas, rides and waterslides, a wildlife center, an amphitheater, and a gorge and waterfalls that have been named a National Natural Landmark.
Pennel Run & Buckhorn Natural Areas
Delaware State Forest
Swiftwater 570-895-4000
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry
Pennel Run features a 935-acre landscape dotted with scrub oak, gray birch, aspen, and mixed oaks along with the Utts Swamp. The 535-acre Buckhorn Natural Area protects reptiles and amphibians in a high mountain swamp environment.
Pine Lake Natural Area
Delaware State Forest
Swiftwater 570-895-4000
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry
Nearly 70 acres include a 10-acre glacial bog that exhibits plant zones ranging from open water to tree cover.
Seven Tubs Natural Area
900 Bear Creek Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre 570-675-1312
www.luzernecounty.org
Glacial meltwater eroded bedrock, creating a series of potholes in an area now called Whirlpool Valley. Managed by Luzerne County, this site offers an Audubon Trail.
Stillwater Natural Area
Delaware State Forest
Swiftwater 570-895-4000
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry
This 1,931-acre tract with Civil War historic significance blends conifers and hardwoods; the Little Bushkill Steam offers “stillwaters” for canoeing.
Switchback Gravity Railroad Trail
Jim Thorpe 570-325-3669
Walkers, hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers can enjoy an 18-mile historic trail that traces the route of the Switch Back Gravity Railroad through “The Switzerland of America.”
Tannersville Cranberry Bog
Bog Road
Tannersville 570-629-3061
www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/tannersville-cranberry-bog-preserve
As part of the Monroe County Environmental Educational Center, this 775-acre site preserves a 150-acre wetland and relict boreal bog that once a huge glacial lake. Spectacular plant specimens join abundant wildlife to support many special programs.
Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Headquarters Office
274 River Road
Beach Lake 570-685-4871
www.nps.gov/upde
Rolling hills, riverfront villages, and bald eagles form a vibrant backdrop as the Delaware River meanders through rural countryside.
Parks & Recreation Contacts
For more information
Call for details on state and municipal parklands as well as hiking, bicycling and fishing facilities:
Bureau of State Parks and Recreation
717-787-6640
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Allentown Bureau of Recreation
610-437-7757
www.allentownpa.gov
Berks County
610-372-8939
www.co.berks.pa.us/parks
Bethlehem Department of Recreation
610-865-7081
www.bethlehem-pa.gov/parks
Easton Department of Recreation
610-250-6711
www.easton-pa.gov
Lehigh County Parks & Recreation
610-871-0281
www.lehighcounty.org/Recreation/rec.cfm
Northampton County Parks Department
610-829-6500
www.northamptoncounty.org
