Big Pocono

Big Pocono SP https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/BigPoconoStatePark/Pages/default.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bendigo_State_Park Big Pocono State Park is located in Jackson and Pocono townships in Monroe County, in northeastern Pennsylvania. The park is on Camelback Mountain. From the summit of the mountain, one has a view of vast portions of eastern Pennsylvania as well as parts of New Jersey and New York. A paved drive, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) in length, around the summit provides visitors with a view in all directions. Visitors can see the Delaware Water Gap from this location.

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. For an easier hike, try the upper loop of South Trail along the south face of the mountain and Indian Trail, which forms a 2-mile loop from Rim Road. North Trail Lower Loop connects the lower end of South Trail back to the North Trail via a portion of the old railroad grade, which is fairly flat. Visitors may also connect to South Trail midway across the south side of the mountain from Parking Lot 3 using Vista Trail for a shorter loop. Indian Trail offers a great vista from the eastern cliffs, visible from I-80 and points in Tannersville and Scotrun. Tell us about your hike at: Directions Entrance to the park is from PA 715 and Exit 299 of I-80 at Tannersville. 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. Scenic View 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. Recreational Opportunities This park is open from sunrise to sunset. 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. For More Information Contact: Big Pocono State Park c/o Tobyhanna State Park 114 Campground Road Tobyhanna, PA 18466-0387 570-894-8336 email: tobyhannasp@pa.gov GPS DD: Lat. 41.04419 Long. - 75.36925 An Equal Opportunity Employer Information and Reservations Make online reservations at: www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. www.visitPAparks.com Printed on recycled paper visitPAparks 2018 HIKING: 8.5 miles of trails Since 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. South Trail and the North Trail Lower Loop are open to mountain bikes and horses. North and South trails extend down the east side of the mountain. They are steep and rugged, offering experienced hikers a challenging 600-foot elevation change in under a mile. 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. 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. Portions of South Trail are lined with blueberry and mountain laurel, which blooms in mid-June. On the north side of the mountain, North Trail Lower Loop follows the old railroad grade and passes through a rock cut, offering hikers a glimpse of a hemlock and rhododendron glen, which is surprisingly cool on hot summer days. Rhododendron blooms in late July. Kartrite’s Summit House Restaurant Located at the top of Camelback Mountain, the new Kartrite’s Summit House Restaurant is home to beautiful views and is available as a wedding venue. The restaurant can be reached via Camelback Road or the ski area chair lift during both summer and winter operations. 855-515-1283 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. Nearby Attractions 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 l