Discover Palmerton

Palmerton combines outdoor activities with a distinctive industrial history. The town offers winter sports, downhill mountain biking, and a ropes course, as well as a seasonal summer pool; recurring festivals add their own seasonal highlights. The town also has tangible ties to its history. You can plan your trip around activities, events, or an interest in the past.

Get Active: Resort, Summer Pool, and Trail

Blue Mountain Resort has 40 ski trails and 16 lifts. Terrain and lift counts may change; check the latest information if the extent of the winter sports offerings is important to your plans. Blue Mountain Bike Park has 28 downhill trails. Blue Mountain Resort also has a ropes course. The number of trails and the listed activities may change as well. The offerings have different focuses: the slopes and lifts are for winter sports, the bike park is for downhill mountain biking, and the ropes course offers a climbing experience.

The summer pool at Palmerton Memorial Park has swimming lanes for adults, a winding slide for children, and a separate splash area for younger children. As a summer pool, it is a seasonal highlight. For families planning a visit, the different areas offer specific options: lanes, a slide, and a splash area for different age groups.

A rerouted 3.25-mile section of the Appalachian Trail opened near Palmerton in 2022. Its length gives you a specific measure of this section. If you’re planning a hike, check current trail conditions.

Festivals at Different Times of Year

The Palmerton Community Festival takes place on the first weekend after Labor Day. It features rides, arts and crafts, exhibits, music, and numerous food stands; dates and programming may change. Another annual event is the Rolling Cruise in June, whose date and program may also change. The two events offer different times of year for a visit: June for the Rolling Cruise or the first weekend after Labor Day for the Community Festival. If you’re visiting Palmerton for a festival, check the specific dates and current program.

Industrial History and Cultural Insights

In the late 19th century, New Jersey Zinc Co. consolidated its regional operations in Palmerton. This is a specific historical point of reference for getting to know the town beyond its recreational offerings. The Palmerton Area Historical Society’s collection includes artifacts, books, documents, oral histories, photographs, and videos available for research. If you’d like to use the collection for your research, check access hours separately. Another historical point of reference is the bandstand in Palmerton Borough Park.

Near Palmerton, the Heritage Center serves as a visitor center and offers recommendations for things to do and places to see in the area. Its role as a place to get oriented complements the town’s specific offerings with ideas for more activities and attractions nearby.

Planning a Vacation in Palmerton

When looking for a vacation rental in Palmerton, you can plan your travel dates around the experiences that matter to you. If you’re visiting for a festival, the Rolling Cruise in June and the weekend after Labor Day offer different options. If outdoor activities are your priority, consider the resort, summer pool, and nearby trail as distinct activity options. The town’s industrial past, historical collection, and bandstand offer another perspective on Palmerton. Consider whether an event date, an activity, or the town’s history will be the deciding factor for your stay.

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