Hiking in the Poconos
The Poconos have countless miles of nature trails in which hiking, snowmobiling, all terrain vehicles(ATV's), cross country skiing, dirt biking, mountain biking and more can take place. Many state game lands(SGL's) allow motorized vehicles such as snow mobiles or ATV's, but be sure to check at each park, as restrictions and regulations vary. Many times they are posted clearly for all to see.
Angel Falls
Pictured on the left, Angel Falls is the shortest hike of them all. Easy to access for even the die hard couch potato, it is about 20 total yards from the parking spot to the waterfalls. These falls are right down the road from Francis E Walter Dam and there is no entrance fee.
HOW TO GET THERE: from Route 940 west of Blakeslee, go into the Francis E Walter Dam entrance. Make a left after the frisbee disc golf course, and drive up and over the top the dam(great view!), then exit the park from the other side. Hang a right on the main road and the waterfall is visible from the road on the right hand side. The parking area is immediately after the falls on the right. We will update directions with road names and exact mileages to this gorgeous, easy to access waterfall ASAP.
Shanty Run Swimming Hole
Shanty Run is a secluded, deep, clear swimming hole near White Haven PA. The stream carves through some unusually smooth sandstone, down a couple small waterfalls, and into a gorgeous, deep hole. Watch it though, the water is COLD even in the peak heat of summer! The rock that juts out over the hole is huge, flat and perfect for sunbathing. The last time we hiked here, there was someone fishing in the hole(trout?). Please respect sportsmen and don't splash around the area if someone happens to be angling.
HOW TO GET THERE: From the I-80/940 interchange, go west on route 940 to route 534(follow sign to Hickory Run State Park). Take route 534 southeast(set odometer here, you will go 1.4 miles to the parking area). Follow directions very carefully from here or you will never find it. On route 534 you will pass I- 80 then see a golf course on your right. On your left is State Game Land #40 and you will pass a number of parking areas on the left. BEFORE you get to Lehigh Tannery and BEFORE you get to Hickory Run State Park, at about the end of the golf course, a total of 1.4 miles from RT 940(or 1.0 miles from I-80), park on the left in the large parking area(there are PA State hunting signs there, including a large, free-standing "welcome" sign.) This is the last big parking area in the Game Land before you get to Lehigh Tannery.
FROM THE PARKING AREA: Take the wide, road-like, mowed grass trail that begins in this area. Blueberry bushes are everywhere on both sides of the trail! Now follow VERY carefully. You begin on one wide, grass trail but quickly intersect with other wide, grass trails. ALWAYS TAKE THE RIGHTMOST TRAIL. About the second turn to the right will be a VERY SHARP right turn, onto a rocky old road that quickly starts steeply downhill. Keep on this trail as it winds to the left and levels out and you will begin to hear a waterfall off to your right. This road sort of peters out and then you go right a short distance through the trees toward the sound of the falls and you are there! Walk downstream on the rocks and you will find a large rock that hangs over a large, deep pool below the falls.