Lehigh Gorge State Park is located along the Lehigh River, south of White Haven.
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
570-443-0400
RR 1, Box 81, White Haven, PA 18661
Lehigh Gorge web site
The northern access point to the park is off Exit 273 of I-80 at White Haven. Follow Rt. 940 east to the White Haven Shopping Center. Go through the shopping center parking lot and bear left to the state park access area. Rockport is the central access area and can be reached from the south by following U.S. 209 South from Jim Thorpe to Rt. 93 North. Continue to Lehigh Gorge Dr., through Weatherly, into the small village of Rockport at Rt. 4014. Rockport is accessible from the north by following Rt. 940 west from Exit 273 of I-80. Turn left (south) onto Lehigh Gorge Dr. and continue to Rockport.
The gorge follows 26 miles of abandoned railroad grade along the Lehigh River, providing opportunities for hiking, bicycling, sightseeing, photography and birding. The trail is closed to motor vehicles. Parking areas are provided in White Haven, Rockport and Glen Onoko. Very limited parking is available at Lehigh Tannery. Biking is very popular. Bicycles can be rented at several locations and there is shuttle service available throughout the area. Bicycles with wide tires are recommended. Several commercial operators offer whitewater rafting when water levels are appropriate. None of these activities creates problems for birders.
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Look for typical winter birds that are found in deep woods such as Ruffed Grouse and woodpeckers.
This time of year can be good for migrating warblers and other songbirds that like deep forest. A few ducks such as Common Mergansers can be seen on the Lehigh River on occasion.
This is the season for breeding warblers. Also look for thrushes and Scarlet Tanagers.
The warbler migration can be good at times in late August and September.
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- Hunting is permitted is season so be careful birding at this time of year.
- Visit the PA Game Commission website, www.pgc.state.pa.us, for dates of hunting seasons and blaze orange clothing requirements. Please follow State Game Land or hunting regulations posted in parking areas. There is no hunting on Sundays.
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