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State Park Overview |
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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. |
Trails |
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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. |
Picnicking |
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Fishing and Hunting |
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About 800 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, bear, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, turkey and ruffed grouse. Furbearers include fox, raccoon and coyote. Adjacent to the park are 3,943 acres of State Game Land 38, which are open to public hunting, trapping, dog training and hiking.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owners car, trailer or camp. |
History of the Area |
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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. |
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Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | |
This 105 year old Victorian hotel is centrally located within minutes of many activities. Enjoy a delicious meal in our romantic dining room. A continental breakfast is included in your stay. |
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More Info | |
Backpacking, hiking and camping tips and links for Pennsylvania | |
Member of the Internet Link Exchange. Bike Shops ? Trails ? Rail Trails ? Nearby Parks ? Camping Facilities. I have spent many weekends in the Jim Thorpe (Poconos), PA area, and I love it!... | |
... There is a fully accessible playground in the day use area. Big Pocono State Park Perched on Camelback Mountain, Big Pocono State Park is rugged and scenic. A paved scenic drive encircles the ... | |
... The pavilion seats 64. On Camelback Mountain, Big Pocono State Park has a view of the surrounding area. ... of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Big Pocono State Park is on 1,306 acres of Camelback ... |
Area Attractions |
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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. |
Area Campgrounds | | Hemlock Campground & Cottages
362 Hemlock Dr
Tobyhanna, PA
(570) 894-4388
| Four Seasons Campground
Babbling Brook Rd
Scotrun, PA
(570) 629-2504
| Pocono Vacation Park Campgrounds
RR 5
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 424-2587
| Arrowhead Campground
Beaver Valley Rd
Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 992-7949
| Fox Wood Family Campground
400 Mount Nebo Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 421-1424
| Silver Valley Campsite
Route 209 & Silver Valley Rd
Saylorsburg, PA
(570) 992-4824
| Camp Taylor
85 Mount Pleasant Rd
Columbia, NJ
(908) 496-4333
| KOA Campgrounds
233 Hollow Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 223-8000
| Yards Creek Scout Reservation
6 Linaberry Rd
Columbia, NJ
(908) 362-5374
| Camp Swatara Family Camping
2901 Camp Swatara Rd
Bethel, PA
(717) 933-5244
| Mountain Vista Campground
50 Taylor Dr
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 223-0111
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Area Fishing Related Businesses | | 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
| Hiawatha Hunting & Fishing
700 Schoolhouse Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 421-7712
| Beaver Run Hunting & Fishing Club
3 Barren Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 223-8257
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Area Resorts and Lodging | | Lake View Estates
Bender Rd & Lakeview Timber Dr
Gouldsboro, PA
(570) 842-1420
| Sterling Inn The
South Sterling, PA
(570) 676-3311
| Country Surrey Inn
3rd St
Gouldsboro, PA
(570) 842-2081
| Mountaintop Lodge
Route 940
Pocono Pines, PA
(570) 646-6636
| 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
| Rainbow Mountain Resort and Restaurant
210 Mount Nebo Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 223-8484
| Value Inn
5219 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 588-1100
| Echo Valley Cottages
1 Lower Lakeview Dr
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 223-0662
| Pocono Palace Inc
5241 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 588-6694
| Paramount Motel
Business Route 209 N
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 421-2141
| Birchwood In the Poconos
3400 Birchwood Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 629-0222
| Shilla Garden Korean Restaurant
RR 209
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 588-1100
| Alpine Lounge
RR 447
East Stroudsburg, PA
(570) 595-7411
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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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