More than two-thirds of Carbon County consists of State Game Land and State Park Land. The county is known for its mountains and rivers; along the Lehigh River, this landscape takes the form of a deep, steep-walled gorge. Lehigh Gorge State Park follows the river through Carbon County to the town of Jim Thorpe. Rock outcrops, dense vegetation and waterfalls define the gorge.
Gorges, Forest and Trails
The Lehigh Gorge Trail covers more than 20 miles of the D&L Trail. A completed section of the D&L Trail connects downtown Jim Thorpe to the Weissport section via a pedestrian bridge over the Lehigh River. The Jim Thorpe (West)–Jim Thorpe (East) section is also complete, open and improved; conditions may change seasonally. Lehigh Gorge State Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, and day-use areas close at dusk. Facility seasons may vary.
At Hickory Run State Park, Boulder Field is a distinctive feature: it is designated a National Natural Landmark. The Hawk Falls Trail offers a view of a natural 25-foot waterfall. The Fireline Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail with an overlook of the Lehigh River and Lehigh Gorge State Park. Those interested in traces of past use can find the remains of a double sawmill and a dam built in the 1830s along the Ridge Trail.
Lakes and Wildlife Watching
Mauch Chunk Lake is a 330-acre reservoir in Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Carbon County. The park offers swimming and boating, as well as camping and picnic areas. Only non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted on the lake. Two boat ramps have parking facilities, and there is also a fully accessible fishing pier. The lake offers a range of activities, from swimming and picnicking to boating and fishing.
Beltzville Lake is a destination for boaters and anglers, and a resting place for migratory waterfowl. Pohopoco Creek, which feeds the lake, is an excellent trout stream. Those interested in habitats and wildlife watching can find meadows, deciduous forests, wetlands, lakes, streams and farmland at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center. The center has trails, butterfly and bird gardens, and an accessible elevated walkway that passes by non-releasable birds of prey.
Mining History and Culture
At the No. 9 Coal Mine, the visitor experience begins with a 1,600-foot ride on a mine train, followed by a 600-foot guided walk. The museum is housed in the original 1923 Wash Shanty and has the largest collection of mining artifacts in the area. The tour combines this sequence of a ride and walk with insights into mining history.
The Old Jail Museum is a two-story stone former Carbon County jail, built in 1869–1870. It has 27 cells; basement cells were used for solitary confinement until 1980. The jail is associated with the Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish coal miners who fought exploitative working conditions in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coalfields in the 1870s. The Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center presents the local history and art of Carbon County through extensive archives, Victorian artifacts and exhibits. It offers both guided and self-guided tours, as well as a light and storytelling presentation about art and the current history of Jim Thorpe.
Other historical sites highlight different aspects of the region: the Asa Packer Mansion was recognized by the National Park Service in 1985 for its national significance in the history of the United States. The Anita Shapolsky Art Foundation’s exhibition center is located in Jim Thorpe in a former Presbyterian church dating to 1859. The Mauch Chunk Opera House was built in 1881 and offers year-round entertainment, from classic rock and jazz to bluegrass, folk, theater and special events.
Discover more destinations: Lehighton, Lake Harmony, Jim Thorpe, Albrightsville, Summit Hill, Beaver Meadows, Palmerton, Columbia
For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.
