Big Pocono

A Pennsylvania Recreational Guide for Big Pocono State Park Big Pocono State Park Big Pocono State Park is in Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. The park consists of 1,306 acres of rugged terrain on the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain. Seasonally, the park closes in mid-December and reopens as conditions permit in the spring. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Big Pocono State Park facilities are maintained in cooperation with Camelback Mountain Resort. The trails of Big Pocono State Park are maintained in cooperation with the Pocono Outdoor Club. Directions GPS DD: Lat. 41.04419 Long. - 75.36925 CAUTION: Steep grades. Visitors should not attempt this drive in vehicles with trailers in tow. Municipal road maintenance is not provided and seasonal closures of the access roadway will occur. South Trail 2.7 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian Recreational Opportunities PICNICKING: Picnic areas have picnic tables and charcoal grills. Most areas provide “a picnic with a view” high atop Camelback Mountain at an elevation of 2100 feet above sea level. HIKING: 6.8 miles Big Pocono State Park is a mountaintop and some trails are extremely steep with rough grades. Inexperienced hikers should contact the Tobyhanna State Park office for information before hiking. Indian Trail 1.1 miles | More difficult | Loop trail | Red blazes Recreations permitted: hiking The most popular loop at Big Pocono, this trail begins at and loops back to Lot 4 and provides connections to North Trail and South Trail. A northeast vista is located at the middle of the loop. This trail winds through unique scrub oak habitat and passes by a variety of interesting rock outcrops. Trail is rough and rocky, and has a section of natural boulder “steps” near the vista. North Trail 1.1 miles | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Blue blazes Recreations permitted: hiking Make online reservations at www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks An Equal Opportunity Employer PAStateParks 2023 Scout Trail 0.1 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes Recreations permitted: hiking This moderately steep and narrow switchback trail provides a quick route to connect Rim Road near Parking Lot 4 to South Trail. From the summit, visitors can enjoy magnificent views. Parts of eastern Pennsylvania and portions of New Jersey and New York can be seen along the paved, 1.4-mile scenic drive and trails. c/o Tobyhanna State Park 114 Campground Road Tobyhanna, PA 18466-0387 570-894-8336 TobyhannaSP@pa.gov This trail connects to North and South trails and provides equestrian and mountain biking opportunities. Much of North Trail Lower Loop is on a level section of railbed, and passes through scenic rocky gorges, especially around the eastern bend. Steep, rocky sections of North and South trail must be traversed to access the rail trail. Entrance to the park is from PA 715 and exit 299 of I-80 at Tannersville. Scenic View Big Pocono State Park North Trail Lower Loop 1.7 miles | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Blue blazes Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian A steep, rocky trail that traverses the northern slopes of Camelback Mountain and connects Indian, South, and North Trail Lower Loop. Hikers experience a 600-foot elevation change on the trail. Hugging the southern slopes of Camelback Mountain, South Trail allows equestrians and mountain bikers access to Big Pocono’s trails. Steep and rugged in some sections, and fairly level in others, South Trail offers a southern vista and a scenic woodsy journey through mountain laurel thickets and scrub oak woodlands. Vista Trail 0.1 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes Recreations permitted: hiking A short, steep trail descending from near Lot 3 to South Trail. Ends at a scenic overlook of the southern landscape. HORSEBACK RIDING: Horses are permitted on all hard surface roads shared by vehicles, South Trail, and North Trail Lower Loop. Horses are prohibited on Vista, Indian, and North trails. BICYCLING: Bicycles are permitted on all hard surface roads shared by vehicles. Mountain biking is permitted on South Trail and North Trail Lower Loop. Bikes are prohibited on the connecting trails from the parking lots, including Vista Trail, and on Indian and North trails. E-bikes are permitted but must follow all e-bike guidelines. www.dcnr.pa.gov/Pages/EBikePolicy HUNTING AND FIREARMS: About 800 acres are open to hunting, trapping, and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are white-tailed deer, black bear, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, turkey, and ruffed grouse. Furbearers include fox, raccoon, and coyote. Adjacent to the park are 3,943 acres of State Game Lands 38, which are open to public hunting, trapping, dog training, and hiking. 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 ADA accessible hunting information. Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner’s vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions include: law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within a state park. Summit House Restaurant Located at the top of Camelback Mountain, Summit House Restaurant features beautiful views and is available for private events. 570-369-1505 Natural History The top of Camelback Mountain is a unique forest called a scrub oak shrubland. Wind-dwarfed gray birch, quaking aspen, pitch pine, and scrub oak cover the mountaintop, with no trees over twenty feet tall. Lowbush blueberry, sweet fern, and mountain laurel grow under the short trees. Down slope, the forest offers more shade with mixed hardwoods including oak, maple, and hickory trees. On the north side of the mountain, North Trail Lower Loop offers hikers a glimpse of a hemlock and rhododendron glen. Rhododendron blooms in late July. Camelback Mountain is home to a variety of wildlife, including timber rattlesnakes. While often unseen, these reptiles may use trails, roads, or open rocky areas for basking. Be aware of your surroundings when hiking and keep a safe distance from all wildlife. History The land that is now Big Pocono State Park was owned by Henry S. Cattell near the turn of the 20th century. Mr. Cattell was very fond of the view from the summit of Camelback Mountain. Knowing that many others shared his love for the area, he constructed a stone cabin on the summit in 1908. The Cattell Cabin was left unlocked for many years to be used as a shelter by anyone. Since 1921, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry has maintained a fire tower on the mountain for detecting forest fires in the surrounding private and state forest lands. The tower is staffed only during the spring and fall seasons. Public access is prohibited. In 1928, 12 years after Mr. Cattell’s death, the Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased the land. In 1950, a portion of the state land on the steep north slope of the mountain was leased to Big Pocono Skiing, Inc., for commercial ski development. Later named Camelback Ski Corporation, the facility has been developed into a major ski resort. In 1953, a 1,306-acre portion of the state game lands, including the ski area lease, was acquired by the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (now the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) for developing a state park at the mountain’s summit. In 1954, after the construction of restrooms, parking areas, picnic sites, fireplaces, and a scenic drive around the summit, the area was opened to the public as Big Pocono State Park. The Cattell Cabin served for many years as a park office and nature museum. Protect and Preserve Our Parks Please make your visit safe and enjoyable. Obey all posted rules and regulations and respect fellow visitors and the resources of the park. • Be prepared and bring the proper equipment. Natural areas may possess hazards. Your personal safety and that of your family are your responsibility. • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. • Because uncontrolled pets may chase wildlife or frighten visitors, pets must be physically controlled, attended at all times, and on a leash, caged, or crated. Electronic fences and leashes are prohibited. • Do your part to keep wildlife wild! Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and do not feed or approach wild animals. • Please recycle. Place trash accumulated during your stay in proper receptacles or take it home with you. Nearby Attractions Information on nearby attractions is available from the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. 570-844-2001. www.poconomountains.com Other attractions in the Pocono Mountains include State Game Lands 38 and 127, Gouldsboro State Park, Tobyhanna State Park, Hickory Run State Park, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The 162-acre Camelback Resort contains 37 trails and 15 lifts that are 100% lit for night skiing and completely covered by snowmaking. Camelback is also home to 42 tubing lanes and a Galactic light show after dark. When the snow melts, the mountain adventures continue with zip lines, mountain coaster, alpine slide, and more. Camelbeach Waterpark and the Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark are all located at the base of Camelback Mountain. 855-515-1283. www.camelbackresort.com Access for People with Disabilities This symbol indicates facilities and activities that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible for people with disabilities. This publication text is available in alternative formats. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. In an Emergency Call 911. Directions to the nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards. NEAREST HOSPITAL St. Luke’s Hospital – Monroe Campus 100 St. Luke’s Lane Stroudsburg, PA 18360 272-212-1000 Po c on BIG POCONO STATE PARK o N 80 To I-380 Exit 293, 4.0 Mi. & Tobyhanna S.P., 17.7 Mi. Cre ek 13 ba Exit 298 00 Sul liva n Road ck 00 00 13 50 12 1100 11 il h ut So 2000 0 150 50 14 115 1700 0 0 155 Exit 299 50 0 0 16 12 0 165 14 1900 1850 1800 1750 00 10 TA N N E R SVI L LE 50 1950 1900 50 18 800 1 750 1 0 170 00 1950 13 Lo t # 3 a Tr il Scout Trail uth So 2100 715 50 13 Vista Trail Lo op 10 a Tr 00 es 3 Mil No Creek 2000 0 Road 0 R im Lot #4 Lot #1 205 1. Lo we r 1950 GA ME Cattell Cabin 140 Lot #2 Tra i l 50 Summit House Restaurant Indian iles 3M 14 0 185 1900 Rim Road road Rail 1650 1600 00 11 Road 1550 1500 Blue Symbols Mean ADA Accessible 1450 1350 1300 t Nor ad 1400 Non-flush Restrooms Ro h Trail Sout IN 0 160 0 165 0 170 0 175 CAMELBACK STATE LA ND S 38 A MOUNT l ai 1500 1550 1750 oop 3.2 Miles Lower L 50 1650 1700 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 th Nor ile 1M 1600 1650 1700 1750 1800 Tra il Tr 1600 Trail ono Poc 1500 1550 1550 00 50 611 12 North 14 1350 1450 1500 rt h Road 50 12 115 0 1200 125 0 130 0 135 0 140 0 0 00 0 Camelback Mountain Resort 140 ck Camelba Cre ek 11 0 00 10 Pocono 1350 115 l 120 11 00 11 50 10 Tra i 1050 1000 m Ca el To Mount Pocono, 6.0 Mi. Water h 1 Paved Trail Hiking Trail 0 100 200 300 400 500 METERS Viewing Scope State Park No Hunting Fire Tower 0 400 800 1200 1600 2000 FEET Gate Paved Road ner War State Park Hunting One-way Road 400 To East Stroudsburg, 10.0 Mi. Multi-use Trail: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding Scenic View 100 80 715 Parking Paved Picnicking 1250 200 Parking ADA Accessbile 1350 1300 CONTOURS ARE ON 50 FT. INTERVALS d R oa To Brodheadsville & US 209, 10.8 Mi. Rev. 3/20/24