Carbon: Gorges, Lakes and Mining History

Lehigh Gorge State Park gives Carbon a distinctive river landscape: the deep, steep-walled gorge carved by the river is characterized by dense vegetation, rock outcrops and waterfalls. The park follows the Lehigh River through Carbon County to the town of Jim Thorpe. Carbon County is known for its scenic mountains and rivers; more than two-thirds of Carbon County consists of state game lands and state park land. Lehigh Gorge State Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Day-use areas close at dusk, and the seasons for individual facilities may vary.

Gorge, Trails and Water

The Lehigh Gorge Trail runs along more than 20 miles of the D&L Trail. A completed section of the D&L Trail in Jim Thorpe connects downtown with the Weissport section via a pedestrian bridge over the Lehigh River. The Jim Thorpe (West)–Jim Thorpe (East) section is complete, open and improved; conditions may change seasonally. Check current conditions before planning a specific trip. These details describe different sections and help distinguish the routes they refer to.

Nature Destinations and Different Experiences

Boulder Field in Hickory Run State Park is also a distinctive landmark: it is designated a National Natural Landmark. The 2.4-mile Fireline Trail is an out-and-back route to an overlook with views of the Lehigh River and Lehigh Gorge State Park. Hawk Falls is a natural, 25-foot-high waterfall that you can see from the Hawk Falls Trail. The remains of a double sawmill and a dam built in the 1830s lie along the Ridge Trail. The Fourth Run Trail offers opportunities to fish for native brook trout. The trails offer different themes: views, a waterfall, historic traces and fishing.

Mauch Chunk Lake is a 330-acre reservoir in Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Carbon County. The park offers opportunities for swimming and boating, as well as camping and picnic areas. Only non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted on the lake. Two boat ramps have associated parking; there is also a fully accessible fishing pier on the lake. These specific conditions are useful when planning your time on the water.

Beltzville Lake is a destination for boaters and anglers, as well as a resting place for migrating waterfowl. Pohopoco Creek feeds the lake and is an excellent trout fishery. At the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, trails, butterfly gardens and bird gardens add to the nature-focused activities. The surroundings include meadows, deciduous forests, wetlands, lakes, streams and farmland, offering opportunities for wildlife observation. An accessible elevated walkway passes by birds of prey that cannot be released into the wild.

Mining History and Culture

The Old Jail Museum is a two-story stone former Carbon County jail, built in 1869–1870. It has 27 cells; basement cells were used for solitary confinement until 1980. The museum is associated with the Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish coal miners who fought against exploitative working conditions in Pennsylvania’s anthracite fields in the 1870s. The building’s history and the region’s labor history offer different perspectives on the subject.

The Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center presents Carbon County’s local history and art through extensive archives, Victorian artifacts and exhibits. The Mauch Chunk Opera House was built in 1881 and offers year-round entertainment, from classic rock and jazz to bluegrass, folk, 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, housed in a former Presbyterian church dating from 1859.

The No. 9 Coal Mine combines mining history with a specific visitor experience: it 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 Wash Shanty, built in 1923, 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.

Carbon can be explored from different perspectives: through river landscapes, lakes and wildlife observation, as well as mining, jail and cultural history. You can decide which of these themes will shape your stay by considering the specific destinations and activities.

Discover more destinations: Palmerton, Lehighton, Summit Hill, Beaver Meadows, Lake Harmony, Jim Thorpe, Albrightsville, Mckean County

For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.