Skytop: Lake, Waterfall and Activities

Skytop offers many reasons to spend time outdoors: Skytop Lake is a 75-acre lake, and Indian Ladder Falls is a three-tiered waterfall. There are also nearly 30 miles of hiking trails at Skytop Lodge, as well as golf, rock climbing and winter sports. The lodge’s history is also part of the character of the area. When planning your trip, you can give different emphasis to nature experiences, physical activity and culture.

Landscape and Trails Around Skytop

At Skytop Lodge, you can explore 5,500 acres. Nearly 4,500 acres of the lodge are protected under Pennsylvania’s “Clean and Green” program. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy nearly 30 miles of trails belonging to the lodge. The West Rim Trail reaches an elevation of about 1,900 feet. These figures offer different points of reference for spending time outdoors: the size of the area to explore, the extent of the trail network and the approximate elevation along the West Rim Trail.

Skytop Lake and Indian Ladder Falls add their own distinctive features. The lake covers 75 acres, while the waterfall’s shape is defined by its three tiers. Those interested in water and landscapes can include these places as separate destinations in their vacation plans. The lodge itself overlooks Skytop Lake. In Skytop, connections to nature come together with a striking building and a long lodge history.

Skytop Lodge and Its History

The main building of Skytop Lodge is a stone manor house dating from 1928, designed in the Dutch Colonial style. It overlooks Skytop Lake. The lodge opened on June 16, 1928. Those interested in the history of the building can join a historical tour led by the hotel historian. The architecture, opening date and tours offer different ways to explore the lodge’s past, so a stay does not have to focus solely on outdoor activities.

Golf, Climbing and Winter Experiences

Golfers can enjoy an 18-hole championship course at Skytop Lodge. It measures 6,656 yards. Those who would rather spend their days climbing can find rock climbing at Skytop Lodge’s Adventure Center. The golf course and climbing activities offer different ways to stay active during your visit.

There are specific activities in winter, too: Every winter, the pavilion at Skytop Lodge is converted into an ice rink, with daily skating sessions. The lodge’s Ski Hill is on the opposite side of Skytop Lake, at the intersection of Dutch Hill Road and Route 390. You can reach it by car, shuttle or a 15-minute walk along the Lake Trail. From the lower lift station, Skytop Mountain has two runs.

Planning Your Stay

The Adventure Center is located at 815 Dutch Hill Road in Skytop, about a mile along Route 390 from Skytop Lodge. It is also open to people who are not guests of the lodge. Along with its rock-climbing activities, this makes the center a destination in its own right when planning a trip. If you are looking for a vacation rental, you could first consider whether you want to focus your stay more on the hiking trails, golf course, winter activities or the lodge’s history.

You can explore Skytop according to your own interests: as a destination for trails and scenery, sporting activities or a closer look at the lodge. The specific offerings vary considerably—from nearly 30 miles of hiking trails to an 18-hole golf course and the two runs at Ski Hill. This can help you decide what you want to focus on during your trip, without trying to fit every experience into a single itinerary.

More Places to Explore

More destination pages: Canadensis, Blakeslee, Delaware Water Gap, Cresco, Mountainhome, Tobyhanna, Scotrun, Pocono Summit.

For the broader travel overview: Monroe.