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. From the summit, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of a vast portion of eastern Pennsylvania and portions of New Jersey and New York.
The park will close seven days after the end of deer season in December and will reopen as conditions permit in the spring.
Big Pocono State Park facilities are maintained in cooperation with the Camelback Ski Corporation.
Big Pocono State Park is on land which was owned by Henry S. Cattell near the turn of the 20th century. Mr. Cattell, being very fond of the view from the summit of Camelback Mountain, and knowing that many others shared his love for the area, constructed a stone cabin on the summit in 1908. The cabin was left unlocked for many years to be used as a shelter by anyone who wished.
Since 1921, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry has maintained Big Pocono Fire Tower on the mountain for the purpose of detecting forest fires in the surrounding private and state forest lands. The tower is staffed only during the spring and fall seasons and has been dedicated by the National Fire Tower Association as a historical structure.
In 1928, 12 years after Mr. Cattell?s death, the Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased the area.
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 the purpose of 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.
Big Pocono State Park is located near Bangor, East Stroudsburg and Palmerton
Big Pocono State Park provides three picnic areas with a total of 50 picnic tables. The picnic area adjacent to the Cattell Cabin has tables in an open setting, while the east and south areas are in a wooded setting. All areas offer the visitor excellent views of the surrounding countryside. Parking spaces in parking area No. 4 and nearby picnic tables have been designated for use by people with disabilities. Nearby restrooms are accessible.
The trail system consists of three interconnecting trails designated as North Trail (red), South Trail, (yellow) and Indian Trail (orange). Trail conditions vary from smooth surface, gentle grades, to very rough surface, extremely steep grades. Inexperienced hikers should inquire at the park office before attempting North Trail. The Pocono Outdoor Club assists in maintaining the trail system in Big Pocono State Park.
Horseback Riding:
In addition to serving as a hiking trail, the three-mile South Trail is also designated as a horseback trail. The trailhead is at the west end of the park, near the park entrance.
Big Pocono State Park is located in the famous Pocono Mountains resort area. Nearby attractions include State Game Lands No. 38 and 127, Gouldsboro State Park, Tobyhanna State Park, Hickory Run State Park and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
For more information about the many attractions and accommodations please contact the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, 1004 Main St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360, 570-421-5791 or 800-POCONOS.
For information on nearby attractions, contact the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, 800-POCONOS.
Big Pocono State Park is in the famous Pocono Mountains resort area. Nearby attractions 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.
Shady Acres1078 Turkey Ridge Road
Mount Bethel, PA
570-897-6230
Dunkelberger's Sports
585 Main St
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 421-7950
Ixtapa Sport Fishing Charters
19 Depue LN
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 688-9466
Family Bait & Tackle Shop
624 N Courtland St
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 421-6918
Windsor Fly Shop
348 N 9th St
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 424-0938
Art's Gun & Tackle Inc
Route 209 N
Ellenville, NY
(845) 647-6559
Beaver Run Hunting & Fishing Club
3 Barren Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 223-8257
Mountaintop Lodge
Route 940
Pocono Pines, PA
(570) 646-6636
Pine Hill Lodge
42 Pine Hill Rd
Mt Pocono, PA
(570) 839-9579
Alpine Motel
1863 W Main St
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 421-3790
Walter's Motel
2011 W Main St
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 424-1862
Water Gap Country Club
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 476-0300
Countryside Cottages
RR 3 Box 3002
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 629-2131
Howard Johnson's
63 Route 611
Bartonsville, PA
(570) 424-6100
Flower Fields Motel & Cottages
301 Route 611
Bartonsville, PA
(570) 629-0131
Village at Sciota The
Crest Road
Sciota, PA
(570) 992-5659
Rimrock Country Cottages
425 Rimrock Dr
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 629-2360
Mountain Springs Lake
Mountain Springs Dr
Reeders, PA
(570) 629-0251
Chateau Resort & Conference Center
300 Camelback Rd
Tannersville, PA
(570) 629-5900
Shilla Garden Korean Restaurant
RR 209
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 588-1100
Alpine Lounge
RR 447
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 595-7411
Hotels/Motels
Located near popular recreational attractions, including the Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park, Steamtown National Historic Site and Promised Land State Park. NASCAR fans will enjoy a day at the races at nearby Pocono Raceway.
27.1 miles from park*
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.
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