National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Big Pocono State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Big Pocono State Park is in Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. The park consists of 1,306 acres of rugged terrain on the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain. From the summit, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of a vast portion of eastern Pennsylvania and portions of New Jersey and New York.
The park will close seven days after the end of deer season in December and will reopen as conditions permit in the spring.
Big Pocono State Park facilities are maintained in cooperation with the Camelback Ski Corporation.
Trails
The trail system consists of three interconnecting trails designated as North Trail (red), South Trail, (yellow) and Indian Trail (orange). Trail conditions vary from smooth surface, gentle grades, to very rough surface, extremely steep grades. Inexperienced hikers should inquire at the park office before attempting North Trail. The Pocono Outdoor Club assists in maintaining the trail system in Big Pocono State Park.
Horseback Riding
In addition to serving as a hiking trail, the three-mile South Trail is also designated as a horseback trail. The trailhead is at the west end of the park, - the park entrance.
Picnicking
Fishing and Hunting
About 800 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, bear, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, turkey and ruffed grouse. Furbearers include fox, raccoon and coyote. Adjacent to the park are 3,943 acres of State Game Land 38, which are open to public hunting, trapping, dog training and hiking.
Hunting woodchucks -lso known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through 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.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owners car, trailer or camp.
History of the Area
Big Pocono State Park is on land which was owned by Henry S. Cattell - the turn of the 20th century. Mr. Cattell, being very fond of the view from the summit of Camelback Mountain and
knowing that many others shared his love for the area, constructed a stone cabin on the summit in 1908. The cabin was left unlocked for many years to be used as a shelter by anyone who wished.
Since 1921, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry has maintained Big Pocono Fire Tower on the mountain for the purpose of detecting forest fires in the surrounding private and state forest lands. The tower is staffed only during the spring and fall seasons and has been dedicated by the National Fire Tower Association as a historical structure.
In 1928, 12 years after Mr. Cattell?s death, the Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased the area.
In 1950 - portion of the state land on the steep north slope of the mountain was leased to Big Pocono Skiing, Inc., for commercial ski development. Later named Camelback Ski Corporation, the facility has been developed into a major ski resort.
In 1953 - 1,306-acre portion of the state game lands, including the ski area lease, was acquired by the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (now the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) for the purpose of developing a state park at the mountain?s summit.
In 1954 -fter the construction of restrooms, parking areas, picnic sites, fireplaces and a scenic drive around the summit, the area was opened to the public as Big Pocono State Park. The Cattell Cabin served for many years as a park office and nature museum.