Lehigh Gorge State Park

About Lehigh Gorge State Park

Lehigh Gorge State Park is located in eastern Pennsylvania and is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is under the authority of the State of Pennsylvania. The entire park is characterized by its scenic beauty, picturesque views and natural features. The park also follows the Lehigh River through a series of gorges and streams, as well as a number of streams and rivers.

John James Audubon visited the area in 1829 and spent six weeks painting birds. He was dismayed at how quickly the trees were felled and transported downstream. Settlements were sparse until loggers arrived and began felling trees and building sawmills.

The region's industrial revolution was at its dawn, and the need to transport ever-larger quantities of coal to downstream markets led to the intensive expansion of the canals at the beginning of the 19th century. This has led not only to an increase in coal production, but also to an increase in population and economic growth.

A number of dams and locks along the canals were built between 1835 and 1838 by William E. White, one of the most successful sewer builders in the United States. Between 1836 and 1840, White built 20 dams, 29 locks, with a total of more than 1,000 feet of water.

The upper and largest section of the Lehigh Canal is referred to as "locks and dams," a nod to the locks and dams that were part of White's original plan for the canal system. Between 1835 and 1838, a five-kilometer-long canal with a total of 1,000 feet of water was built. When the sewer system was destroyed by a severe flood in the mid-19th century, it was replaced by new railway technology.

The remains of locks, dams and tow tracks are still visible in Lehigh River Gorge. Loggers continue to clear huge white pines and hemlock trees for bark to use for brown skins.

The second largest tannery in the United States is located in Lehigh River Gorge, just a few miles south of the park entrance. A terrible forest fire swept through the area and burned all the remaining wood. The sawmills closed and the loggers left, but only when the state's natural resources were severely damaged.

The railway extended to the southern end of the canal, where there was a resort called Glen Onoko and a hotel. The hotel had a restaurant, bar and hiking trails to the scenic Glen Onoko Falls. A fire in 1911 closed the hotel and another fire in 1917 ended the era of the resort. In the 1970 "s, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began buying up Parkland, and in the 1980" s, the land was transferred to the Bureau of State Parks.

The 26 km Lehigh Gorge Trail is open to cyclists and bike rental and shuttle services are available in the area.

Hikers must protect themselves from life-threatening accidents, ensure the safety of their families and be aware that the gorge is one of the most dangerous places in the world for hikers and mountain bikers.

Wear proper hiking shoes and be extremely careful when walking in the gorge and wear proper clothing and shoes. From April to November, various environmental education and interpreting programmes are offered. Guided hikes and campfire programs will help participants gain a better understanding of the use of natural and cultural resources.

White Haven is the northern access area and can be accessed from exit 273. I-80, follow PA-940 East to Thriftway Store.

Rockport is the central access area and is accessed from the small village of Rockport, which is accessible north of SR-4014. You can reach it by following PA-940, continue on PA 93 to Weatherly and then turn left on SR 2055 (Lehigh Gorge Drive) to the Thriftway parking lot. From Jim Thorpe, follow US-209 North and keep left onto the ramp to State Park and follow PA 940. Go to the sparse parking lots and park in front of the store and leave it on sr-2055 or on the north side of SR 4014 for a short distance.

Glen Onoko is the southern access area and can be reached from the small village of Glen Okeechobee, south of Jim Thorpe. Follow US-209 south to JimThorpe and park in the Thriftway parking lot, then turn right onto the ramp to State Park.

Then take PA-903 north across the river to Coalport Road and south to Glen Okeechobee Parking and park in Thriftway Parking.