The D&H runs for 38 miles from Simpson, PA to the New York State border. At its Southern end, you can connect to the 32-mile-long Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, forming a 70-mile mega Greenway! Surrounded by forested hills, picturesque views, & streams of possibilities for outdoor fun, visitors enjoy hiking & biking, horseback riding, & dog walking, plus easy access to fishing, kayaking or just relaxing along the Lackawanna River. The Rail-Trail Council of NEPA offers free events all year long. Winter Trail Days include discovery walks, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, & hiking. In Spring, Summer, & Fall, there are bike clinics and group rides, yoga walks & local-artist featured events. Each September, the annual D&H Half Marathon starts & finishes at the Forest City trail-head. Just a short walk or ride up the hill from there, you’ll find places to eat, shop, & browse. Stop by to say hi! Trail use is free & open to the public from dawn to dusk. For more information on trail maps, a complete listing of events, & trail conditions, visit their website.
Just 15 minutes from downtown Forest City, Elk Mountain is like skiing in Vermont, without the long drive. Widely considered Pennsylvania’s best skiing & riding — with all the choices of a big mountain resort but no big crowds — there’s plenty of fun for everyone & every skill level. Elk Mountain’s peak elevation is more than half a mile high at 2,692 ft, with a 1,000 ft vertical drop, 27 trails, & two terrain parks. Five double chair lifts and a quad-lift whisk you to the top. Most runs are groomed, while a few are moguled for additional challenges. On average, Elk gets 5 feet of natural snow each season & their state-of-the-art snowmaking covers 100% of the 180 acres of skiable terrain. The welcoming Base Complex features a day lodge, guest services, ski school center, restaurant, rentals, plus a ski & snowboard shop.
Five blocks from Main Street, Kennedy Park is a step back in time when entire communities gathered to watch ball games, celebrated holidays together with fireworks and picnics, skated in winter, & fished in summer. It is still home to good-old-fashioned fun — including a fully-lit regulation Little-League Baseball field, Pickle Ball court, stocked fishing pond, basketball & tennis courts, playground, & disc-golf course. An upper field is used for youth sports, while a covered pavilion & gazebo are available for community & private events. The Market at Kennedy Park- Sponsored by FC Parks & Recreation runs from the third Sunday of each month from April until October from 10 am to 4 pm! The Market features a variety of different local vendors including tarot readings, live animals, handmade jewelry, wreaths, vintage & new items, seasonal decor, local foods, distilleries, wineries, & cider vendors, & more!
This 1,800-acre property could have been used for many opportunities. At the hearts of property owners, Bill & Laura Bachenberg, & Camp Freedom Executive Director, Matt Guedes, lies a passion to serve others & pay it forward. They have combined their passions to create an outdoor adventure healing camp that will serve individuals with disabilities, including Veterans & First Responders, their families, & Gold Star families.
The property consists of endless opportunities in the outdoors that will be cherished forever by those who experience them. Our 1,800 acres provide magnificent hunting adventures. With a 1 ½ mile section of river designated as Pennsylvania Class A Wild Trout water & two ponds, our fishermen will leave extremely satisfied. The property also adjoins the D&H Rail Trail which gives our visitors access to 38 miles of trails for walking, hiking, & biking. With truly unlimited outdoor activities available, Camp Freedom is a dream property with a mission to help the disabled overcome life’s difficulties.
The Stillwater Dam is an embankment dam on the Lackawanna River in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It is located 3.2mi north of Forest City & was completed in September 1960. The primary purpose of the dam is flood control & its reservoir is usually maintained at low levels for that purpose. The high-water mark for the reservoir was on 2 April 1993 when it reached 1617.85ft & a capacity of 88.9%. There are stunning views of the Dam & Lake along the D&H Rail Trail as well as Skyline Drive just off Route 171 into Union Dale.
Five minutes from downtown Forest City, Panorama Golf Course lives up to its name, offering beautiful panoramic views surrounded by endless scenic mountains. In the early 1960’s Meadow Breeze Farm, which was owned by Paul & Marie Vauter and operated for bottling & delivering milk in the area, was converted into Panorama Golf Course. The course was designed by two PGA golf professionals Bill Griffiths & Paul Kern & opened in 1964. The former dairy barn was renovated & became the golf clubhouse. Come enjoy this 18 hole, par 72 round, USGA championship course that has been skillfully maintained since its opening. Panorama has matured & improved, making it a course of unequaled beauty & quality. Covering 7,256 yards from the back tees, they’re open to the public from March through November. Keep in mind, tee times are recommended on weekends and holidays.
With over 200 trail miles on over 200 landowners, NEP Sno Trails is one of the largest trail systems in the state of Pennsylvania operated & maintained by a single organization. Annual dues provide access to an expansive network of trails in safe, well-groomed environments. NEP Sno Trails Members have access to designated D&H Rail-Trail whenever winter conditions permit. There are also trail-friendly restaurants, bars, & stores where snowmobiles can park nearby.
GREATER CARBONDALE YMCA
The YMCA serves the Greater Forest City Area by offering health & wellness programs for all ages. From their child care programs to their fitness classes, & silver sneakers programs they create ways for the community to remain focused on their mind & body. When the weather is nice they offer many programs outdoors, both onsite and throughout the community. You can also find year-round community events, Kid’s Summer Camp, community access to their outdoor park & more!
The D&H Rail Trail is comprised of 38 miles of the historic Delaware & Hudson railbed & has an easement to use eight miles of the parallel Ontario & Western railbed as a recreational trail. Numerous grants have been awarded to design and engineer trail improvements, restore bridges, landscape trailheads & provide trail amenities as signage, picnic tables, & benches. You can bike along D&H Rail Trail passing right through our neighborhoods. Long, unspoiled stretches of country roads meandering past farmlands, meadows (and friendly nearby “rest stops” for refreshing food and drinks). There are nearby trailheads with parking in Forest City & Union Dale, as well as others farther North toward NY.
Have you ever hiked to the top of a ski slope? Your views are incredible from Elk Mountain, among the highest peaks in Northeast PA. Did you know one of the most popular running races in America starts right here in Forest City? The Steamtown Marathon is a fast-paced 26.2 miles, becoming a top choice for athletes hoping to break new records. The D&H Rail Trail is the perfect place to walk, hike, or run and it passes right through our neighborhoods. The trail is adorned with landscape trailheads & trail amenities as signage, picnic tables, & benches. There are nearby trailheads with parking in Forest City & Union Dale, as well as others farther North toward NY. From guided nature walks & interpretive signage along the D&H Rail Trail, to an active community of runners training for fun & competition, we’re always on the go. Join us!
Cast on! You’ll find trout, bass, catfish, walleyes, & more in our nearby waterways, many stocked annually. You’ll also find many public fishing areas to cast a line from shore or float & fish, including parts of the Lackawanna River, which flows through the Endless Mountains region. If you are in need of bait & supplies, check out White’s Crossing Sports Shop in Carbondale. For Fishing License purchases & regulations, please visit the website below.
Please be mindful that although we have many beautiful public waters to fish and there are many waters in Pennsylvania that are on private property, the listing of waters by the Fish & Boat Commission does not guarantee public access. Always obtain permission to fish on private property.
Horseback riding is allowed & encouraged on the D&H Rail Trail. The largest parking area is at the Forest City Trailhead. Birchtown Stables, also in Forest City, is a state-of-the-art equestrian facility hosting horse shows, social gatherings, & corporate functions.
Have some fun, cool off, & jump in the lake or wade by the falls near Panther’s Creek. The Forest City area is awash in water sports fun, including canoeing & kayaking, motor boating, paddle boarding & more. You will find many public & private lakes throughout the region to get out on the water & take in some of the beauty the Greater Forest City Area has to offer. You can float down the Lackawanna River or take your gear to one of our many beautiful lakes.
Come glide through our winter wonderland! Skiing & snowboarding at Elk Mountain Ski Resort, located in the beautiful Endless Mountains, Elk Mountain sits 180 acres & 27 trails for you to ride. Get out your machines & take in the NEP Sno Trails, one of the largest trail systems in the state of Pennsylvania that is operated & maintained by a single organization. There are over 200 miles of interconnected snowmobile trails. You can also find other activities like snowshoeing at Chet’s Place or cross country skiing. Take a trip to one of our beautiful public lakes for ice skating or ice-fishing.
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