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  • Complete, open and improved
  • Obstruction within trail section, see description
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Towns

Things to Do

White Haven

Scenery in White Haven PA, a town along the D&L known for its northern access to Lehigh Gorge State Park

Named for Josiah White, co-founder of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co., White Haven today stands as the northern-most gateway to Lehigh Gorge State Park. It is best known for its rails-to-trails hiking and biking routes, whitewater rafting and paddling opportunities.

Here canal-meets-railroad and a community was born. In the 1800s White Haven enjoyed the enviable status of being the point where canal met rail. The Lehigh Canal began its southerly journey downstream to Easton, while the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad stretched north to Wilkes-Barre. Thanks to its status as a key link in the anthracite-shipping network, White Haven prospered. A visitor to town may have seen hundreds of railroad cars, laden with mountains of stone coal mined in the north. Also abundant was timber cut from White Haven’s surrounding forests – all waiting to be transferred onto the Lehigh Canal’s barges.

When a flood washed out the canal in 1862, railroads took over as the prime means of shipping goods and people. Following alongside the Lehigh River’s banks were the tracks of the New Jersey Central Railroad. A block away was the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Main Street ran between the two and housed two railroad stations, a pair of hotels and various stores. The stations and passenger trains have long since vanished, but you can still hear the whistle of Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad freight trains passing through town. Railroad buffs journey to White Haven to see the restored, 29-ton, yellow, Union Pacific caboose that sits along South Main St., housing railroad memorabilia.

To reach the White Haven Access Area, take Exit 273 on I-80. Follow PA 940 east to the White Haven Market and go through the parking lot. Then bear left until you reach the parking area and trail head on the Lehigh River.

Things to Do

1 The Francis E. Walter Dam in White Haven, Pa.

Francis E. Walter Dam

The Francis E. Walter Dam has a boat launch area (no ramp), and there is a 10 hp limit. Swimming is not permitted. Picnicking, hiking and fishing are available. Hunting, in season, is also available on adjacent Pennsylvania Game Commission... More

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2

Hickory Run State Park

Located in Carbon County in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains, Hickory Run has many amenities and activities available. They include trails, picnicking, swimming, fishing, hunting, disc golf, wildlife watching, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and camping. Don't... More

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3

Lehigh Gorge State Park

The 4,548-acre park follows the Lehigh River from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Francis E. Walter Dam to the north, to Jim Thorpe at the southern end. It is a designated state scenic river and the lure for many... More

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4

Nescopeck State Park

Bordered on the south by the steeply rising Mount Yeager and on the north by Nescopeck Mountain, Nescopeck State Park encompasses 3,550 acres in Butler and Dennison Townships in Luzerne County. Special emphasis is placed on the education and interpretation... More

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5

Pocono Biking

D&L Trail Friendly Business Ride with us through the beautiful Lehigh River Gorge, our most popular biking daytrip. You can rent one of our Trek bicycles by the hour or for the entire day.  This easy, downhill, trail provides traffic-free riding... More

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6

Pocono Whitewater

There’s something fun here at Pocono Whitewater, Biking and Skirmish for every level of adventurer! Choose your own pace…we have mild to wild dam release whitewater and family style whitewater rafting trips, over 30 miles of scenic, easy downhill rail-trail biking excursions along... More

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