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Big Boulder Lake
DestinationsCarbon County

Big Boulder Lake

Year-Round · Lake Harmony Area

The Region

About Big Boulder Lake

Just beyond Lake Harmony, Big Boulder Lake offers a quieter, more residential feel with excellent fishing and a private beach that the largest homes here open directly onto. It's the choice for groups who want lake access without the boat traffic of larger destinations, and its proximity to Big Boulder Ski Area makes it a genuine four-season retreat. The lake itself stays notably calmer than its larger neighbors, in part because it was built to supply snowmaking water rather than boat traffic, which keeps the atmosphere residential rather than resort-like. Visitors here tend to spend as much time on private docks and beaches as out exploring, with the ski area, hiking trails, and Pocono Raceway all within easy reach when it's time to venture out. Winter turns this into one of the most convenient ski-adjacent lake destinations in the region, since several homes sit close enough to the mountain to make ski mornings and lake-view afternoons part of the same day.

Best Season
Year-Round
Popular For
Fishing & Private Beach Access
Nearby Skiing
Big Boulder Ski Area
Atmosphere
Quiet, Residential
Lake Origin
Man-Made Reservoir (1957)
Places to Eat & Drink
The Origin Story

How It Came to Be

Big Boulder Lake is a genuinely recent addition to the landscape — dammed in 1957 on Grass Lake Creek by the Big Boulder Corporation, decades after the ski area next door was already running. That order matters: the lake wasn't built for lake life first. It was built to supply water for snowmaking, at a moment when Big Boulder was pioneering commercial snowmaking technology that would go on to define winter tourism across the Northeast.

The ski area itself traces back further, to the Split Rock Club, a private retreat built in the 1940s for executives of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company nearby. When the lodge sold in 1949, it became Big Boulder Ski Area — the first commercial ski slope in Pennsylvania. Snowmaking arrived during the winter of 1956–57, and the 175-acre lake that followed a year later has since become as much a summer draw as the slopes are a winter one.

Dining
Hiking
Activities
Golf
Shopping
Ski
State Parks

Where to Eat

Boulder View Tavern

$$

American · Lake Harmony, PA

A casual Lake Harmony tavern serving burgers, steaks, and wings on a patio overlooking Big Boulder Lake.

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Murph's Hideaway

$$

American / Gastropub · Pocono Lake, PA

A lively gastropub in Pocono Lake with a sprawling menu, closest full-service restaurant to Arrowhead Lake.

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Shenanigans

$$

American / Bar · Lake Harmony, PA

A Lake Harmony institution since 1987, famed for live music, karaoke, and a lively lakeside nightclub scene.

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Piggy's

$

Breakfast / American · Lake Harmony, PA

Casual all-day breakfast spot on the lake in Lake Harmony, known for generous portions and a family-friendly waterfront setting.

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Woody's Country House

$$

American · Blakeslee, PA

Family-run Blakeslee restaurant and bar near Pocono Raceway known for hand-baked bread and award-winning chili.

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Chat-n-Chew Café

$

Breakfast / American · Blakeslee, PA

Family-owned Blakeslee diner serving budget-friendly breakfast and lunch, famous for the Messy Mike sandwich and daily-baked pastries.

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Louie's Prime Steakhouse

$$$

Steakhouse · Lake Harmony, PA

A well-reviewed Lake Harmony steakhouse serving dry-aged cuts and seafood towers for a dressed-up splurge dinner.

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Terra-Cottage Cafe & Gifts

$

Cafe · Lake Harmony, PA

A cozy, well-reviewed cafe and gift shop near Big Boulder in Lake Harmony, perfect for a quick coffee or pastry stop.

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Gagliano's Restaurant

$$

Italian · Lake Harmony, PA

A casual, family-friendly Lake Harmony spot for classic Italian-American red-sauce favorites like baked ziti and chicken parmesan.

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Nick's Lake House Restaurant

$$

American · Lake Harmony, PA

Casual lake house restaurant near Lake Harmony serving burgers, seafood, and comfort food in a rustic, family-friendly setting.

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Papa Santo's Pizza

$$

Pizza / Italian · Blakeslee, PA

A family-run pizzeria near Blakeslee serving hand-tossed pies, hoagies, wings, and pasta for quick, casual takeout.

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Da's Pub

$$

American / Pub · Lake Harmony, PA

A casual, no-reservation Lake Harmony pub with beer, wings, burgers, and a lively TV-lined room for big games.

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Sunset Green Restaurant & Bar

$$

American · Lake Harmony, PA

Casual waterfront bar-and-grill in Lake Harmony, popular with families and groups off the water.

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Hub at Split Rock Golf Club

· Lake Harmony, PA

A casual pub, golf simulator, and grocery-and-gift counter all in one at Split Rock Golf Club in Lake Harmony.

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Powerhouse Eatery

$$

American · White Haven, PA

Casual fine dining inside a restored early-1900s power plant in White Haven.

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Farmhouse Blakeslee

$$

Farm-to-Table American · Blakeslee, PA

A women-owned, all-day brunch spot built around scratch-made Southern comfort food.

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The Taproom by Barley Creek

$$

Brewery Taproom · Tannersville, PA

16 taps of Barley Creek's own award-winning beer at the Crossings Premium Outlets.

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Where to Hike

Boulder Field Trail

Moderate
6.5 mi538 ft2.5–3 hrs

A 6.5-mile out-and-back hike to the Boulder Field National Natural Landmark, a stark, treeless ice-age rock expanse.

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Hawk Falls Trail

Moderate
1.2 mi134 ft0.5–1 hr

An easy 1.2-mile round-trip hike in Hickory Run State Park to a scenic 25-foot waterfall.

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Fourth Run Trail

Moderate
4.62 mi679 ft

An easy, wide 4.62-mile dirt trail near Big Boulder Lake, great for groups, runners, and dog walkers.

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Gamewire Trail

Moderate
3.3 mi396 ft

An easy 3.3-mile dirt trail tracing General Harry C. Trexler's old game preserve fence line near Big Boulder Lake.

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Hickory Run Trail

Easy
1.32 mi134 ft

An easy 1.32-mile dirt trail through a former picnic area, great for butterfly watching and families.

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Orchard Trail

Difficult
1.58 mi

A short but difficult 1.58-mile dirt loop near Big Boulder Lake, connecting to Hawk Falls Trail and Mud Run fishing access.

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Sand Spring Trail

Moderate
2.66 mi203 ft

A 2.66-mile moderate dirt hike near Big Boulder Lake passing a wooden water tower and 1930s-40s CCC/WPA waterlines.

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Shades of Death

Difficult
1.37 mi265 ft

A short but difficult 1.37-mile dirt trail near Big Boulder Lake, passing remains of early 1800s logging mills and dams.

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Skyline Trail

Moderate
2.08 mi442 ft

A moderate 2.08-mile dirt trail off Fireline Trail offering a ridge view over the Lehigh River.

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Highland Trail Loop

Easy
2.2 mi150 ft47–57 min

An easy-rated loop in Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, running 2.2 miles with about 150 ft of elevation gain. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Highland Trail

Moderate
2.3 mi118 ft47–57 min

A moderate-rated out-and-back route in Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, running 2.3 miles with about 118 ft of elevation gain. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Pine Trail

Easy
0.8 mi68 ft18–28 min

An easy-rated loop in Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, running 0.8 miles with about 68 ft of elevation gain. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Thomas Darling Blue Loop

Easy
2 mi68 ft38–48 min

An easy-rated loop in Thomas Darling Preserve, running 2 miles with about 68 ft of elevation gain.

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Thomas Darling Preserve Loop

Easy
2.5 mi85 ft48–58 min

An easy-rated loop in Thomas Darling Preserve, running 2.5 miles with about 85 ft of elevation gain.

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Lost Lakes Trail

Easy
2.4 mi203 ft54–64 min

An easy-rated out-and-back route in Pocono Lake, running 2.4 miles with about 203 ft of elevation gain.

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Brian's Trail, Purple Trail, Yellow Trail, and Red Trail Loop

Easy
1.9 mi55 ft36–46 min

An easy-rated loop in Maple Tract Preserve, running 1.9 miles with about 55 ft of elevation gain.

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Orchard Trail

Moderate
1.4 mi229 ft39–49 min

A moderate-rated out-and-back route in Hickory Run State Park, running 1.4 miles with about 229 ft of elevation gain.

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Hickory Run Trail, Fireline Trail, Skyline Trail Loop

Moderate
5.3 mi849 ft2–2.5 hrs

A moderate-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park, running 5.3 miles with about 849 ft of elevation gain. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Hickory Run Blue Trail, Pine Hill and Sand Springs Trail

Moderate
7.3 mi820 ft2.5–3 hrs

A moderate-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park, running 7.3 miles with about 820 ft of elevation gain.

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Sand Spring, Fireline, and Skyline Trail

Moderate
8 mi1079 ft3–3.5 hrs

A moderate-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park, running 8 miles with about 1079 ft of elevation gain. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Blue, Fireline, and Hickory Run Trail Loop

Difficult
11.5 mi1528 ft4.5–5 hrs

A difficult-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park, running 11.5 miles with about 1528 ft of elevation gain. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Hickory Run Beach Trail

Easy
1.4 mi127 ft32–42 min

An easy-rated out-and-back route in Hickory Run State Park, running 1.4 miles with about 127 ft of elevation gain.

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Choke Creek Trail

Moderate
8.6 mi469 ft2.5–3 hrs

A moderate-rated loop in Pinchot State Forest, running 8.6 miles with about 469 ft of elevation gain. Part of the Pinchot Trail system near Thornhurst/Gouldsboro. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Choke Creek Extended Loop

Moderate
8.8 mi492 ft3–3.5 hrs

A moderate-rated loop in Pinchot State Forest, running 8.8 miles with about 492 ft of elevation gain. Part of the Pinchot Trail system near Thornhurst/Gouldsboro. Consistently well-rated by AllTrails hikers.

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Stone and Boundary Loop

Easy
3.8 mi223 ft1–1.5 hrs

An easy-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park, running 3.8 miles with about 223 ft of elevation gain.

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Cathy's Trail Loop

Easy
1.9 mi32 ft34–44 min

An easy-rated loop in Hauser Nature Center, running 1.9 miles with about 32 ft of elevation gain.

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Pimple Hill via Creek, Dyson, and Knorr Trail Loop

Easy
2.5 mi393 ft1–1.5 hrs

An easy-rated loop in Dixon Miller Recreation Area, running 2.5 miles with about 393 ft of elevation gain.

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Bear Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
1.1 mi

A 1.1-mile easiest-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Blue Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
1 mi

A 1-mile easiest-rated connector trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Deer Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
0.5 mi

A 0.5-mile easiest-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Fireline Trail (Hickory Run)

Difficult
2.4 mi

A 2.4-mile most difficult-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Gould Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
1 mi

A 1-mile easiest-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Lake Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
0.6 mi

A 0.6-mile easiest-rated connector trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Leonardsville Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
0.6 mi

A 0.6-mile easiest-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Manor House Trail (Hickory Run)

Moderate
2.2 mi

A 2.2-mile more difficult-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Nature Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
0.4 mi

A 0.4-mile easiest-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park.

Orchard Trail (Hickory Run)

Difficult
1.2 mi

A 1.2-mile most difficult-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park.

Pine Hill Trail (Hickory Run)

Moderate
3.9 mi

A 3.9-mile more difficult-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Ridge Trail (Hickory Run)

Moderate
1.1 mi

A 1.1-mile more difficult-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Sand Spring Trail (Hickory Run)

Moderate
2.6 mi

A 2.6-mile more difficult-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Shades of Death Trail (Hickory Run)

Difficult
1 mi

A 1-mile most difficult-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Skyline Trail (Hickory Run)

Moderate
2.1 mi

A 2.1-mile more difficult-rated loop in Hickory Run State Park.

Stage Trail (Hickory Run)

Moderate
4.5 mi

A 4.5-mile more difficult-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Stone Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
1.25 mi

A 1.25-mile easiest-rated out-and-back trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Switchback Trail (Hickory Run)

Moderate
0.7 mi

A 0.7-mile more difficult-rated connector trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Boundary Trail (Hickory Run)

Easy
1.5 mi

A 1.5-mile easiest-rated connector trail in Hickory Run State Park.

Things to Do

Pocono Raceway

Motorsports Seasonal (Race Weekends, May–July)

A 2.5-mile tri-oval known as "The Tricky Triangle," hosting NASCAR Cup Series race weekends each summer alongside track tours and driving experiences on off-weekends. The track's unusual asymmetric layout, with three distinct turns of different radii and banking, is part of what makes it a favorite among drivers and fans alike, and race weekends bring a full festival atmosphere with camping, vendors, and concerts alongside the racing itself. Off-season track tours and ride-along experiences let non-race-weekend visitors get a taste of the track at speed.

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Daisy Field Farm Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding Year-Round (Sleigh Rides Winter Only)

A family-owned working farm outside White Haven offering guided trail rides across its wooded and open acreage, with routes that pass a sunflower field and range from short scenic loops to longer guided rides. Beyond standard trail rides, the farm runs pony rides for younger visitors, carriage rides, and — once the snow arrives — horse-drawn sleigh rides, so it has an option across most of the year rather than being a single-season stop. Riders should plan ahead: the farm operates by appointment, and there's a minimum age of 8 and a maximum rider weight of 265 lbs.

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Alvin's Offroad Playground

Outdoor Recreation Year-Round

A 70-acre off-road park in Long Pond near Pocono Raceway, with five wooded trails, two circle tracks, a motocross track, a figure-8 track, hills and mounds, and a paintball arena. Riders can book self-guided sessions or group tours, and on-site ATV rentals come with helmets, goggles and a safety video. Listed as open year-round; drivers must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license.

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Pocono Outdoor Adventure Tours

Outdoor Recreation Year-Round

Guided UTV tours on the Pocono Raceway grounds in Long Pond: about an hour behind a guide through roughly 8 miles of forest trails, a challenge course and a run along the outside of the Long Pond Straight, with a view of the race car graveyard and grandstands. Two- and four-seater UTVs have roll cages, seat belts and side nets. Drivers must be 18 or older with a valid license, passengers can be as young as 5, and tours are listed as running year-round.

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Spruce Ridge Reindeer

Natural Attraction

A hands-on, educational experience with reindeer — one of the most mystical and magical animals of the Arctic. Gift shop on premise.

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Lake Harmony Watersports

Water Sports

A watersports rental outfitter on Lake Harmony.

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Peaceful Woodlands Campground

Outdoor Recreation

Family-friendly wooded camping close to Pocono attractions. RV and tent sites, cabin rentals, heated pool.

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Captain Joe's Fishing & Waterman Services

Fishing Guide Service

Guided fishing services on Lake Harmony.

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Pocono Outdoor Adventure Paintball

Outdoor Recreation

A paintball facility in Long Pond.

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Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area

Natural Attraction

A natural area in Blakeslee.

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Precision Fly and Tackle - Evening Hatch

Fishing Guide Service

A fly fishing and tackle shop on Lake Harmony.

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H2Oooohh! Indoor Waterpark at Split Rock

Waterpark Closed Until Further Notice

A smaller indoor waterpark at Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, branded Water Park H2O on the resort's own site. As of October 2026 the resort says the waterpark will remain closed until further notice, and several attractions, including the Komodo Dragon surf ride, Jungle Falls and Lava Spring, were listed as closed or out of order. When open, it has a wave pool (Hurricane Cove), the Amazon Blast slide, the Piranha and Viper slides and a toddler area (Leaping Lizards). Check the resort's website for a reopening date before planning a visit.

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On the Course

Split Rock Golf Club

27 Holes

Resort

Three distinct nine-hole courses — Divide, Fairway, and Orchard — set across rolling Pocono terrain at Split Rock Resort, with sweeping mountain views from several elevated tees. Having three nines to mix and match gives golfers flexibility to play a quicker round or combine courses for a full 18 with varied scenery and difficulty. The resort setting also makes it easy to pair a round with other Split Rock amenities for a fuller day.

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Jack Frost National Golf Club

18 Holes

Championship

An 18-hole championship course carved into the mountainside at Jack Frost Mountain, known for dramatic elevation changes and holes routed through native rock outcroppings. The mountain terrain gives the course a genuinely distinctive character compared to typical Pocono golf — expect significant elevation shifts hole to hole and tee shots framed by exposed rock formations rather than flat fairways. It's considered one of the more challenging, memorable rounds in the region and tends to draw serious golfers willing to make the trip specifically for it.

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Where to Shop

Pocono Mountain Provisions

Artisan Marketplace

A provisions shop in Pocono Lake.

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Fireworks Outlet - Mount Pocono

Artisan Marketplace

A fireworks outlet location in Pocono Summit.

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Pocono Mountain Dairies

Farmers Market

A dairy farm and market in Blakeslee.

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Morgan Gallery

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Pohopoco Creek Alpacas

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Winter

Big Boulder Ski Area

15 Trails

475 ft Vertical 10 Lifts

Pennsylvania's first commercial ski resort, Big Boulder is the more beginner-friendly half of the Jack Frost Big Boulder operation, with a compact 15-trail layout well suited to families and first-timers. The resort's history as the state's original commercial ski slope gives it a foundational role in Pennsylvania skiing, and its more compact, gentler terrain compared to sister resort Jack Frost makes it a natural choice for a family group with mixed skiing experience. Ten lifts keep wait times manageable even without the trail count of the region's larger resorts.

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Jack Frost Mountain

21 Trails

475 ft Vertical 10 Lifts

Paired with Big Boulder under the same Vail-owned operation, Jack Frost skews toward intermediate and advanced terrain across 21 trails, with a summit elevation of 2,175 feet and a quieter, more spread-out feel than Camelback. The combination ticket with Big Boulder gives skiers access to two distinct trail systems and difficulty profiles on the same pass, and Jack Frost's generally smaller crowds make for a more relaxed day on the mountain than the region's busier resorts.

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State Land

Hickory Run State Park

15,990 ac

Carbon County Est. 1945

Hickory Run State Park covers 15,990 acres in the western foothills of the Poconos in Carbon County, with more than 40 miles of hiking trails, three state park natural areas and miles of trout streams. Its best-known feature is Boulder Field, a 16-acre National Natural Landmark of boulders, 400 by 1,800 feet, with some boulders 26 feet long. Hawk Falls, a natural 25-foot waterfall, sits at the end of the 0.6-mile Hawk Falls Trail. The park was a lumbering area, then the property of Allentown businessman General Harry C. Trexler, then a National Recreation Demonstration Area built by the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps, before becoming a state park in 1945. A sand beach at Sand Spring Lake is open from late May to mid-September, and the park has a 19-hole disc golf course, two orienteering courses and a campground with more than 300 sites, three camping cottages and two deluxe cottages. In winter, 14 miles of trails are marked for cross-country skiing and 21 miles for snowmobiling. The visitor center and office also serve as the main point of contact for Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Hiking · Trout Fishing · Camping · Picnicking · Swimming · Disc Golf · Orienteering · Cross-Country Skiing · Snowmobiling · Hunting

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Lehigh Gorge State Park

6,107 ac

Carbon/Luzerne County Est. 1980

Lehigh Gorge State Park covers 6,107 acres along the Lehigh River, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Francis E. Walter Dam in the north to Jim Thorpe in the south, across Luzerne and Carbon counties. A deep, steep-walled gorge carved by the river, with rock outcroppings and waterfalls, it follows a heavy industrial history: coal-era canals built between 1835 and 1838 were destroyed by flooding in 1862 and replaced by railroads, and the ruins of locks, dams and towpaths are still visible. The 26-mile Lehigh Gorge Trail follows a former railroad line along the river, open to hiking and biking, with bike repair stations at the White Haven, Rockport and Glen Onoko access areas. This stretch of the river is Class III whitewater, popular for rafting, kayaking and canoeing, with river flow controlled at the Francis E. Walter Dam. In winter, the trail from White Haven to Glen Onoko is open to cross-country skiing, and a 15-mile section is open to snowmobiling. The park was established in 1980 and is managed from Hickory Run State Park.

Whitewater Rafting · Biking · Hiking · Fishing · Cross-Country Skiing · Snowmobiling

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