A steep-walled river gorge with a 26-mile rail-trail, Class III whitewater and two centuries of coal, canal and railroad history. What to do in Lehigh Gorge State Park, what's closed, and how to plan a day.
Lehigh Gorge State Park is a 6,107-acre park that follows the Lehigh River through a deep, steep-walled gorge, from Francis E. Walter Dam in the north to Jim Thorpe in the south. Its centerpiece is a 26-mile rail-trail that you can hike or bike, and its river is Class III whitewater. One famous piece of the area is closed: the Glen Onoko Falls trail, which has been shut since 2019 and is not currently part of the park (details below).
Key Takeaways
- I.The Lehigh Gorge Trail is a 26-mile 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.
- II.The river is Class III whitewater, and its flow is controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Francis E. Walter Dam, so rafting depends on scheduled releases.
- III.The Glen Onoko Falls trail has been closed since May 1, 2019 and stays closed in 2026, per Pennsylvania DCNR. Don't try to hike it.
- IV.In winter, the trail from White Haven to Glen Onoko is open to cross-country skiing, and a 15-mile stretch is open to snowmobiles.
Lehigh Gorge State Park at a glance
| Detail | Details |
|---|---|
| Park size | 6,107 acres |
| Counties | Luzerne and Carbon |
| Established | 1980 |
| Main trail | Lehigh Gorge Trail, 26 miles, crushed gravel |
| River | Class III whitewater |
| Park office | 3 Family Camp Road, White Haven, PA 18661 (c/o Hickory Run State Park) |
| Phone | 272-808-6192 |
The park's official recreational guide, published by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is the source for the park-level facts here. A visitor center at neighboring Hickory Run State Park covers the gorge's natural and cultural history, and we group the Hickory Run trails under Big Boulder Lake.
Hiking and biking the Lehigh Gorge Trail
The Lehigh Gorge Trail follows 26 miles of a former railroad line along the Lehigh River. DCNR rates it easiest, and it shows several waterfalls, remnants of the old Lehigh Canal and plenty of chances to see wildlife. The trail is closed to motor vehicles. It has no blazes and a crushed gravel surface, and DCNR recommends mountain bike tires.
We sorted the Lehigh Gorge routes by distance and difficulty, which the park's own guide doesn't do.
| Route | Distance | Type | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Trail | 0.8 mile | Spur off Bald Mountain Loop | Most difficult |
| Lehigh Gorge Trail from Jim Thorpe to Abandoned Tunnel | 3.7 miles | Out and back | Easy |
| Bald Mountain Loop Trail | 8.5 miles | Loop | Most difficult |
| Lehigh River Gorge: Jim Thorpe to Penn Haven Junction | 12.4 miles | Out and back | Easy |
| D&L Trail: Jim Thorpe to White Haven | 24.4 miles | Point to point | Easy |
| Lehigh Gorge Trail (full length) | 26 miles | Point to point | Easy |
The Jim Thorpe routes are the easiest way to sample the gorge, since they're out-and-back. The full trail is a point-to-point, so plan a shuttle or a car swap. We list the Jim Thorpe, Penn Haven and White Haven distances from AllTrails, and the full-trail and Bald Mountain figures from DCNR, so the totals differ slightly.
Bicycle rentals and shuttle service are available throughout the area, according to the park guide. In Weissport, Bronson EBikes offers e-bike rentals with direct D&L Trail access, and Jim Thorpe River Adventures in Lehighton is a biking and river outfitter. Potable water is available seasonally at the White Haven and Rockport access areas. Wear layers, since the gorge stays cooler.
For a serious day hike off the rail-trail, the Bald Mountain Loop Trail is an 8.5-mile, blue-blazed loop that climbs through deciduous forest to a plateau high above the river, with several vistas on the southern side. DCNR rates it most difficult and advises boots, extra layers, food, water and emergency supplies because of its secluded setting. The 0.8-mile, yellow-blazed Vista Trail branches off it to more overlooks above the river.
Glen Onoko Falls: what's closed and why
The Glen Onoko Falls trail is closed, and it is not currently inside Lehigh Gorge State Park. DCNR describes the Glen Onoko Falls area as a 495-acre tract within State Game Lands 141 in Lehigh Township, Carbon County. The Pennsylvania Game Commission closed the trail on May 1, 2019, citing safety concerns and deteriorating trail conditions, and it remains closed until further notice (PA DCNR, Glen Onoko Falls, retrieved October 5, 2026).
The trail was a 1.5-mile loop with scenic overlooks and three waterfalls. DCNR says it's pursuing a land exchange to add the tract to Lehigh Gorge State Park so the trail system can be rebuilt and reopened. In May 2026, DCNR announced that rehabilitation work would begin on a steep half-mile section and that the trail will remain closed to visitors in 2026 (PA DCNR news release, May 19, 2026, retrieved October 5, 2026). A Times News report from September 2026 quoted a Hickory Run State Park Complex manager saying the park is still three to five years from an opening (Times News, September 4, 2026, retrieved October 5, 2026).
The park's Glen Onoko access area, the southern end of the rail-trail, is a separate place and is part of the park. It's the Falls tract above it that's closed. We have several AllTrails-sourced Glen Onoko routes, and we've marked all of them closed. DCNR cites safety concerns and deteriorating trail conditions, so don't treat a listing in any app as a reason to try the trail.
Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River
This stretch of the Lehigh River is Class III whitewater and is popular for rafting, kayaking and canoeing. All boaters must enter and leave the river at designated sites. The park guide notes that whitewater boating north of White Haven is discouraged to protect that stretch for fishing.
Flow depends on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which controls releases at Francis E. Walter Dam. DCNR's flow guide for boaters:
- Below 250 cubic feet per second (cfs): the river is very low, and many parts aren't deep enough for boating.
- 250 to 1,000 cfs: the river becomes better for boating.
- Above 1,000 cfs: difficulty rises progressively and higher skill and better equipment are needed.
- Above 5,000 cfs: only expert boaters in kayaks, closed canoes or very large rafts should attempt the river.
The Corps posts recreational release information on its Francis E. Walter Dam flow management page. That page couldn't be retrieved when this guide was updated, so open it directly for the current schedule. In 2026, the Corps said whitewater and fisheries releases would be scheduled only if enough water storage accumulated, and were subject to change based on flood-control needs (Times News, August 20, 2026, retrieved October 5, 2026). For live flow readings, the U.S. Geological Survey publishes the gauge below the dam (USGS 01447800, Lehigh River below Francis E. Walter Reservoir near White Haven) and one at Lehighton.
Guided trips are the easy way to get on the water. Pocono Whitewater at 1519 PA-903 in Jim Thorpe runs guided Lehigh River rafting from spring through fall, with a family-friendly stretch of calmer rapids and more technical runs for experienced paddlers. Summer trips end with a riverside barbecue and bonfire at its Jim Thorpe base. Whitewater Rafting Adventures in Nesquehoning, five miles from downtown Jim Thorpe, runs mild to wild trips from April through October. Trip length and difficulty vary with the release schedule.
Safety rules from the park guide: all boaters must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (Type I, III or V, designed for whitewater use). Canoeists and kayakers should wear helmets, and wetsuits or drysuits are recommended in spring and fall. The National Weather Service defines cold water as 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and warns that cold shock can cause involuntary gasping, with loss of muscle control possible within about 10 minutes (NWS, Hazard of Cold Water Activities, retrieved October 5, 2026).
Riding the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
If you'd rather watch the gorge from a train window, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs vintage passenger trains from Jim Thorpe's restored 1888 station, at 1 Susquehanna Street, following the Lehigh River through the park with narrated views of whitewater and old canal ruins. The tracks once carried coal out of the region, and the narration covers both the scenery and the industrial history. Regular service runs from spring through fall, with seasonal holiday-themed trains in late fall and winter. Check the schedule before you plan around it.
The gorge in winter
In winter, the Lehigh Gorge Trail from White Haven to Glen Onoko is open to cross-country skiing. The 15-mile section from White Haven to Penn Haven is also open to snowmobiles, and parking for snowmobiling is at the White Haven or Rockport access areas. The guide notes that the trail is enjoyable year round, and that some sections of the park are open to snowmobiling and skiing.
Fishing and hunting
Fishing in the river and streams is permitted during seasons set by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The northern section of the Lehigh River is stocked with trout and is most popular with anglers, and approved trout waters run from Francis E. Walter Dam to Sandy Run.
Most of the park is open to hunting, trapping and dog training during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, bear and small game, and the park provides access to adjoining State Game Lands 40, 141 and 149. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons, and DCNR asks everyone to use extreme caution around firearms.
History: coal, canals, railroads and a lost resort
Settlement was sparse in the 18th century until loggers arrived. The discovery of anthracite coal at Summit Hill in 1791 drove development of the upper Lehigh Valley, and the need to haul coal downriver led to intensive canal building. Between 1835 and 1838, Josiah White and the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company built 20 dams and 29 locks over the 26 miles between White Haven and Mauch Chunk, now Jim Thorpe. The system was called the Upper Grand Section of the Lehigh Canal because its locks and dams were larger than those on other canals. Severe flooding destroyed it in 1862, and railroads replaced it. The remains of locks, dams and the towpath are still visible in the gorge.
The naturalist and painter John James Audubon visited the area in 1829 and spent six weeks painting birds. A forest fire in 1875 burned the remaining standing timber, and loggers left. At the turn of the century, trains brought visitors to Glen Onoko, which DCNR's guide describes as a once-bustling resort area at the southern end of the park. The Hotel Wahnetah there had 47 rooms, a dance pavilion and tennis courts. A fire in 1911 closed it and another in 1917 ended the resort era. Pennsylvania began buying park land in the 1970s and turned it over to the Bureau of State Parks in 1980.
The park sits in the Anthracite Region of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, a 165-mile corridor from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, Pennsylvania (Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, retrieved October 5, 2026).
Getting there and staying safe
The park has three main access areas: White Haven and Rockport in the north, and Glen Onoko in the south. Bicycle repair stations are at all three. For emergencies, call 911 and contact a park employee. The nearest hospital for the Rockport and White Haven access areas is Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton, 700 East Broad Street, Hazleton. For the Glen Onoko access area, it's St. Luke's Lehighton Campus, 211 North 12th Street, Lehighton.
The gorge has steep, treacherous terrain and fast-moving water, and DCNR says visitors are responsible for their own safety, so wear proper hiking shoes. Pets must be on a leash, caged or crated, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The park guide also warns about blacklegged ticks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises showering within two hours of coming indoors and checking your whole body for ticks (CDC, tick bite prevention, retrieved October 5, 2026). The guide says timber rattlesnakes can be seen sunning on or near the trail, and visitors must give all wildlife the right of way.
Where to eat near the gorge
In Weissport, The Gorge Eatery at The Hofford Mill on Bridge Street has a reserve score of 71 and is rated 4.8 on Google, and it sits near both Jim Thorpe and the gorge. In Jim Thorpe, Thorpe's 903 on State Route 903 has a reserve score of 76. We group both under Mauch Chunk Lake, the closest destination page in our guide, along with the rail-trail, the scenic railway and the rafting outfitters above.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Glen Onoko Falls trail open?
No. The Pennsylvania Game Commission closed it on May 1, 2019, DCNR says it remains closed until further notice, and DCNR has said it will stay closed to visitors in 2026. Don't try to hike it.
Can you bike the Lehigh Gorge Trail?
Yes. The 26-mile trail is crushed gravel, and DCNR recommends mountain bike tires. Bicycle rentals and shuttle service are available in the area.
How hard is whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River?
This stretch is Class III. Difficulty rises above 1,000 cfs, and above 5,000 cfs only experts in kayaks, closed canoes or very large rafts should attempt it. We list a family-friendly stretch of calmer rapids with one Jim Thorpe outfitter.
Can you snowmobile in Lehigh Gorge State Park?
A 15-mile section of the Lehigh Gorge Trail, from White Haven to Penn Haven, is open to snowmobiles. Parking is at the White Haven or Rockport access areas.
When can you raft the Lehigh River?
It depends on scheduled dam releases and water storage, so check the Corps' flow management plan and confirm with your outfitter. Releases can change for flood control.
Keep planning
For nearby places to eat, shop and explore around Jim Thorpe, see our Mauch Chunk Lake destination page above, or browse trails near Big Boulder Lake and Hickory Run.
Last updated October 5, 2026. Park details come from Pocono Reserve research and the Pennsylvania DCNR recreational guide for Lehigh Gorge State Park. Hours, seasons and release schedules change, so confirm with the park office at 272-808-6192 and your outfitter before you go. Cover photo: TravelLife37, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
- Pennsylvania DCNR, Lehigh Gorge State Park recreational guide, and Glen Onoko Falls page. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- Pennsylvania DCNR, news release on Glen Onoko Falls trail rehabilitation, May 19, 2026. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- Times News, Glen Onoko update, September 4, 2026, and water releases at Francis E. Walter Dam, August 20, 2026. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- U.S. Geological Survey gauges 01447800 and 01449000, retrieved October 5, 2026; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Francis E. Walter Dam flow management (page not retrievable on October 5, 2026; check directly).
- National Weather Service, Hazard of Cold Water Activities; CDC, tick bite prevention; Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, About. Retrieved October 5, 2026.