Discover Skytop: Nature and History of Skytop Lodge

If you are considering Skytop as a travel destination, its landscape and the history of Skytop Lodge offer two concrete points of reference. You can explore 5,500 acres on the Lodge grounds. Nearly 4,500 acres of Skytop Lodge are protected under Pennsylvania’s Clean and Green program. Skytop Lake covers 75 acres. These figures refer to different scales: the grounds open to exploration, the protected area, and a single lake.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

Skytop Lodge has nearly 30 miles of hiking trails. Notable destinations include Indian Ladder Falls: the waterfall has three tiers and lies at the end of the trail. The West Rim Trail reaches an elevation of about 1,900 feet and includes a scenic overlook. The waterfall and the overlook have distinct characteristics: here, the focus is on the water’s tiered form; there, on the elevation and the view.

History of Skytop Lodge

Skytop Lodge opened on June 16, 1928. Its main building is a 1928 Dutch Colonial stone mansion overlooking Skytop Lake. Its year of construction, architecture, and setting come together in one specific building. Historical tours led by the hotel historian offer another way to explore the Lodge’s history.

Golf and Winter Activities

Skytop Lodge has an 18-hole championship golf course measuring 6,656 yards. The number of holes and the yardage provide different details about the course: its format and its length.

Each winter, the pavilion at Skytop Lodge is converted into an ice rink, with daily skating sessions offered. The Ski Hill is on the opposite side of Skytop Lake, at the intersection of Dutch Hill Road and Route 390. You can get there by car, shuttle, or a 15-minute walk along the Lake Trail. There are two runs from the lower lift station. As skating is a seasonal offering, it is worth checking the specific times when planning your trip.

Getting Your Bearings at the Adventure Center

The Adventure Center is located at 815 Dutch Hill Road in Skytop, about one mile along Route 390 from Skytop Lodge. It is open to everyone, including people who are not guests of the Lodge. Rock climbing is also offered at the Adventure Center. For comparison, the Center is about one mile along Route 390 from the Lodge, while the walk along the Lake Trail to the Ski Hill takes 15 minutes.

Discover more destinations: Pocono Pines, Mt Pocono, Stroudsburg, Blakeslee, Pocono Summit, Tannersville, Mountainhome, Cresco

For the broader travel overview: Monroe.