Contact Information
RR # 1, Box 81
White Haven, PA 18661
570-443-0400
Settlement was sparse during the 19th century until loggers arrived and began felling trees and building saw mills. Famed naturalist and painter John James Audubon visited the area in 1829 and spent six weeks painting birds. He was distressed at how quickly trees were cut and shipped down river. The industrial revolution was just beginning in the area.In the 1970's the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began purchasing parklands and in 1980 the land was turned over to the Bureau of State Parks. Today the park is a favorite spot for outdoor recreation enthusiasts that enjoy mountain biking, fishing, viewing wildlife and whitewater boating. The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Most of Lehigh Gorge State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, bear and small game.
Settlement was sparse during the 19th century until loggers arrived and began felling trees and building saw mills. Famed naturalist and painter John James Audubon visited the area in 1829 and spent six weeks painting birds. He was distressed at how quickly trees were cut and shipped down river. The industrial revolution was just beginning in the area.
Between 1835 and 1838 a series of dams, locks and canals were constructed to haul coal downriver. At the turn of the 20th century, railroads popularized the southern end of the canal as a resort called Glen Onoko. Hotel Wahnetah boasted 47 rooms, a dance pavilion, tennis courts, fresh air and hikes to the scenic Glen Onoko Falls. In 1911, a fire closed the hotel and another fire in 1917 ended the resort era.
In the 1970's the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began purchasing parklands and in 1980 the land was turned over to the Bureau of State Parks.
Today the park is a favorite spot for outdoor recreation enthusiasts that enjoy mountain biking, fishing, viewing wildlife and whitewater boating.
Lehigh Gorge State Park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources. Curriculum based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the Hickory Run park office at 570-443-0400.
Most of Lehigh Gorge State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, bear and small game. Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to 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. The park also provides access to state game lands 40, 141 and 149, which adjoin the park.
Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Lehigh Gorge State Park area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging around 24 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 to -2 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range around 72 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 23 Celsius).
