J and D Campground

Just over an hour’s drive east of the J and D Campground is the Lehigh Gorge State Park, which encompasses more than 4,500 acres around the Lehigh Gorge. Carved by the Lehigh River over thousands of years, the gorge provides a spectacular setting for hiking and biking, with its 26-mile abandoned railroad accessing several waterfalls and remnants of the Lehigh Canal. Highlights include walking through the 1860's Turn Hole Tunnel and witnessing the Buttermilk Waterfall, which cascades 50 feet down a rocky ledge. The Lehigh Gorge State Park is also a renowned whitewater rafting destination, with family-friendly Class I and II rapids, as well as more challenging Class III options. Adjacent to the Lehigh Gorge State Park is Hickory Run State Park, a 15,990-acre reserve that sprawls across the Pocono Mountains. It’s home to Sand Spring Lake, which is a popular swimming spot in the summer months before transforming into an ice skating rink in the winter. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are also possible in the snow season. More than 40 miles of hiking trails wind through the park, including the famous Shades of Death Trail that passes through a colorful tract of rhododendrons. If you’re into hunting, white-tailed deer, black bear, and squirrels are all fair game in designated hunting areas. Head north from the J and D Campground, and you’ll arrive at Ricketts Glen State Park, which is considered one of the most picturesque natural areas in Pennsylvania. It’s home to more than 20 waterfalls that cascade along Kitchen Creek. Aside from hiking, the park is also a popular destination for kayaking on the waters of Lake Jean before transforming into a winter wonderland for cross-country skiing and ice fishing in the winter months.