Carbon: Gorges, Lakes, and Mining History

Carbon combines impressive river landscapes, lakes, hiking trails, and a culture closely connected with coal mining and railroad history. Carbon County is known for its scenic mountains and rivers; more than two-thirds of the county consists of State Game Land and State Park Land. This gives the region a wide range of starting points for a trip: active days on the water and on trails, nature observation, or excursions to museums and historic buildings.

Gorges, Lakes, and Nature Experiences

Lehigh Gorge State Park follows the Lehigh River through Carbon County to the town of Jim Thorpe. The deep, steep-walled gorge is characterized by dense vegetation, rock outcrops, and waterfalls. The Lehigh Gorge Trail runs for more than 20 miles along the D&L Trail. The completed section of the D&L Trail in Jim Thorpe also connects the downtown area via a pedestrian bridge over the Lehigh River with the Weissport section.

For water-based activities, Mauch Chunk Lake in Mauch Chunk Lake Park is one option. The 330-acre reservoir offers opportunities for swimming and boating, as well as camping and picnic areas. Use of the lake is restricted to non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors; two boat ramps have associated parking areas. There is also a fully accessible fishing pier. At Beltzville Lake, boaters and anglers will find another destination, while the lake also serves as a resting place for migrating waterfowl. Pohopoco Creek, which feeds Beltzville Lake, is considered an excellent trout stream.

Those planning to observe nature will find trails, butterfly and bird gardens, and a low-barrier elevated walkway at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center that passes by non-releasable birds of prey. The surroundings include meadows, deciduous forests, wetlands, lakes, streams, and agricultural land. In Hickory Run State Park, Boulder Field is designated a National Natural Landmark. Hawk Falls is a natural waterfall 25 feet high and can be viewed from the Hawk Falls Trail.

Trails for Different Day Plans

The trails in Carbon can be selected according to the experience you want. The Fireline Trail in Hickory Run State Park is a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike with a viewpoint overlooking the Lehigh River and Lehigh Gorge State Park. The Ridge Trail passes the remains of a double sawmill and a dam built in the 1830s. The Fourth Run Trail offers opportunities to fish for native brook trout. For a longer scenic ride, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway describes a narrated round trip along the Lehigh River, over bridges, through Glen Onoko, and into Lehigh Gorge State Park as far as Old Penn Haven.

Lehigh Gorge State Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset; day-use areas close at dusk. This information can be just as useful when planning your day as the different trail formats. Those looking for a family-friendly activity can choose at Pocono Whitewater between whitewater rafting trips with dam-release-dependent water releases ranging from mild to challenging and family-friendly rafting trips. The Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary offers a covered flutterarium where butterflies fly freely, as well as interactive programs.

Coal Mining, Railroads, and Culture

Carbon is also a destination for visitors who want to explore historical connections. The Old Jail Museum is located in a two-story stone former Carbon County jail built in 1869–1870. It contains 27 cells as well as basement cells that were used for solitary confinement until 1980, and is connected with the Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish coal miners who fought against exploitative working conditions in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coalfields in the 1870s.

The No. 9 Coal Mine combines an underground visitor experience with mining history: the visit begins with a 1,600-foot ride on a mine train and continues with a 600-foot guided walk. The museum is housed in the original 1923 Wash Shanty and has the largest collection of mining artifacts in the area. The No. 9 Coal Mine is considered the world’s longest continuously operated deep anthracite coal mine.

The Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center presents the local history and art of Carbon County through extensive archives, Victorian artifacts, and exhibits. It offers both guided and self-guided tours, as well as a light and storytelling presentation about the art and current history of Jim Thorpe. The Mauch Chunk Opera House was built in 1881 and offers year-round entertainment ranging from classic rock and jazz to bluegrass and folk, as well as theater and special events. The Asa Packer Mansion was recognized by the National Park Service in 1985 for its national significance in the history of the United States. Jim Thorpe is also home to the Anita Shapolsky Art Foundation’s exhibition center in a former Presbyterian church dating from 1859.

The Right Vacation Rental for Planning Your Trip

When choosing a vacation rental in Carbon, it is worthwhile to first determine your desired focus. For a trip with water activities, Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville Lake are the main attractions. Those who prefer trails, gorges, and viewpoints can include Lehigh Gorge State Park, the D&L Trail, or the routes in Hickory Run State Park in their plans. Culture enthusiasts can combine museums, historic buildings, mining history, and events. In this way, the search for accommodation is guided by the experiences you want to shape your days, without allowing any single type of trip to limit the region’s diversity.

For further trip planning, you can also consider the following places individually: Lehighton, Lake Harmony, Jim Thorpe, Albrightsville, Summit Hill, Beaver Meadows, Palmerton.

For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.

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Lancaster.