Lehigh Gorge: 26 Miles of Gravel, One Train Ride Up

The D&L Trail, the Bike Train, and the Lehigh River. Here's how to bike Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Lehigh Gorge: 26 Miles of Gravel, One Train Ride Up: A high-resolution hero image showcasing the natural beauty of the park.

Key Takeaways

  • The “26-Mile Glide”: The southern 26 miles of the D&L Trail is almost entirely a gentle downhill grade. Use a shuttle service from Jim Thorpe to White Haven, and you can coast back down to town with minimal pedaling.
  • Glen Onoko Warning: The trail to the upper Glen Onoko falls is PERMANENTLY CLOSED and strictly enforced. DCNR rangers issue substantial fines ($250+) to anyone caught past the closure signs. Stick to the river-level falls instead.
  • The Waterfall Shortcut: If you only have 30 minutes, park at the Rockport Access. Buttermilk Falls is a 2-minute walk north on the bike path, and Luke’s Falls is a 5-minute walk south.
  • The Bike Train: For the ultimate experience, take the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway bike train from Jim Thorpe to White Haven. It’s expensive and sells out weeks in advance—book early at lgsry.com.
  • Wilderness Corridor: The gorge is a remote wilderness with zero services between White Haven, Rockport, and Jim Thorpe. Carry a patch kit, plenty of water, and a snack for the 2–4 hour ride.

Lehigh Gorge State Park used to be about dangerous waterfall climbing. Today, it is Pennsylvania’s premier destination for long-distance, gravity-assisted cycling. The park protects a 26-mile wilderness corridor where rafters, vintage trains, and cyclists share the deep, narrow gorge of the Lehigh River.

The D&L Trail runs 26 miles through the gorge on crushed stone, downhill from White Haven to Jim Thorpe. On summer weekends, it’s a biking highway. You can shuttle up in a van, or you can take the Bike Train - load your bike onto a vintage train, ride to White Haven, and coast back down. Either way, you’re not hiking to waterfalls anymore.

The 26-mile Lehigh Gorge Trail is part of the 165-mile D&L Trail system. Visit the PA DCNR site for trail updates and check AllTrails for current conditions.

Cyclists riding crushed-stone D&L Trail through Lehigh Gorge with river views

The D&L Trail - 26 miles of crushed stone through the gorge

Glen Onoko Falls is Closed (Don’t Try It)

Why It’s Closed

Glen Onoko Falls has been closed since May 1, 2019. Eight people died on the trail between 1977 and 2019. The terrain is steep, rocky, and eroded. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, which manages the land, closed it permanently due to safety concerns and the strain on emergency services.

The Fine

If you trespass, you’ll be fined $100-200. Rangers patrol the area regularly. People who ignore the closure and need rescue get ticketed heavily.

Alternative

Visit Buttermilk Falls near the Rockport Access. It’s a tall cascade you can see right from the parking area - no fines attached.

The D&L Trail (The Main Event)

The Delaware & Lehigh Trail runs 26 miles through Lehigh Gorge State Park, from White Haven to Jim Thorpe. It’s a crushed stone rail-trail that follows the Lehigh River. The grade is flat with a gentle downhill slope toward Jim Thorpe (2% grade).

A wide perspective of the crushed-stone D&L Trail corridor in Lehigh Gorge

How to Ride It

You have three options:

  1. Shuttle Service: Drive to Jim Thorpe, park, and take a shuttle (Pocono Bike Rentals, Lehighton Outdoor Center) to White Haven. Bike back down (25 miles, 2-4 hours).
  2. The Bike Train: Load your bike onto the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, ride the train to White Haven, and bike back. It’s the coolest option but runs on select weekends and requires reservations.
  3. Out-and-Back: Park at Rockport Access (midpoint) and ride in either direction.

What to Expect

  • Surface: Crushed stone (gravel). Road bikes with skinny tires will struggle. Bring a hybrid or mountain bike. Fat bikes and e-bikes work great
  • Grade: Technically “downhill” from White Haven to Jim Thorpe (2% grade), but you won’t notice much. It feels flat. Return trips uphill are noticeable over 26 miles
  • Crowds: Very busy on weekends (100+ cyclists). Summer peak season is packed. Spring and fall weekdays are quieter. Watch for families and slower riders taking up the whole trail
  • Wildlife: Rattlesnakes are common along the trail, especially in summer. Stay on the path. Other wildlife includes deer, foxes, bald eagles (winter)
  • River Views: The Lehigh River is rarely visible from the trail (too many trees), despite the proximity. You’re more aware of the gorge from the sound of water
  • Time Reality: 26 miles takes 2-4 hours depending on pace and stops. A leisurely ride with photo stops takes 4-5 hours
  • Skill Level: This is beginner-friendly. No technical terrain, no elevation challenges. Families with kids do this regularly
  • Bathrooms: Limited facilities. Pocono (mile 6) has options. Pack for the ride
A close-up of the crushed-stone surface on the D&L Trail

Bike Recommendations: Hybrid bikes (comfort/speed balance) are ideal. Mountain bikes work but are slower. Gravel bikes are perfect. Road bikes are frustrating on crushed stone

The Lehigh River (Rafting on Dam Release Days)

The Lehigh River runs alongside the D&L Trail. Rafting is only possible on scheduled dam release weekends (May-October) when the Francis E. Walter Dam releases water.

  • Rapids: Class II-III (fun but not insane).
  • Outfitters: Pocono Whitewater, Jim Thorpe River Adventures.
  • Note: You cannot just “tube” the gorge freely like the Delaware. You need a shuttle or a structured trip.
White water rafting on the Lehigh River during a dam release

Parking and Access Points

Jim Thorpe (Southern Access)

  • Parking: Large municipal lot (paid, fills by mid-morning on weekends).
  • Vibe: Tourist town. Restaurants, bike shops, train station.
  • Best For: Starting or ending your ride (if you shuttle).

Rockport Access (Midpoint)

  • Parking: Free, but fills by mid-morning.
  • Best For: Shorter rides or accessing Buttermilk Falls.

White Haven (Northern Access)

  • Parking: Free.
  • Best For: Starting point if you’re shuttling yourself or taking the Bike Train.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Don’t Bring a Road Bike

The crushed stone surface is rough. Road bikes with skinny tires struggle. Bring a hybrid or gravel bike.

The Bike Train Sells Out

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs on select weekends and requires reservations. Book ahead.

Rattlesnakes Are Real

They’re common on the trail, especially in summer. Stay on the path.

Insider Tips

Bike Train Strategy: The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Bike Train is the most fun way to do this ride, but it’s expensive (~$60-80) and only runs select weekends. Book 2-3 weeks ahead. It’s worth the splurge once, but shuttle services are more flexible for repeat visits.

Shuttle vs. Self-Shuttle: Hiring a shuttle service is easiest. But if you have two cars or friends, self-shuttling saves money.

Drive one car to Jim Thorpe, park, drive the other to White Haven. Ride back to Jim Thorpe and retrieve the first car.

Peak Season Reality: Summer (June-August) weekends are crowded with families. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are ideal, good weather and fewer cyclists. Weekdays are always quieter.

Rattlesnake Reality: Timber rattlesnakes are present but encounters are rare if you stay on the trail. Make noise while riding (they’ll move away). Don’t hike off-trail into tall grass.

Bike Rental Decision: Renting is smart if you don’t have a hybrid/gravel bike. Local shops rent quality bikes for $30-50/day. Bring your own if you have one, rentals can be hit-or-miss quality.

Buttermilk Falls Alternative: If you want waterfall photos, park at Rockport Access and walk 5 minutes to Buttermilk Falls (visible from parking). It’s an easy add-on to any D&L ride.

Rafting Timing: Rafting only works on scheduled dam release weekends (May-October). Check the Francis E. Walter Dam schedule before planning a water adventure. Spring (April-May) has the most water releases.

Fall Foliage Timing: Peak foliage is September 25-October 15. The trail itself has fewer trees (it’s a corridor), but surrounding ridges are colorful. Bike Train offers special foliage tours with premium pricing.

Best Time to Visit

  • Spring: Buttermilk Falls flowing. Fewer crowds. Wildflowers along the trail.
  • Summer: Peak season for biking and rafting. The trail is packed on weekends. Hot days but good water for swimming
  • Fall: October foliage on surrounding ridges is spectacular. Bike Train offers foliage tours. Cooler temperatures make riding more comfortable
  • Winter: Trail is open but muddy/icy. Not ideal for biking. Cross-country skiing possible on snow

FAQ

Is Glen Onoko Falls open? No. It’s been closed since May 2019 and will not reopen soon.

Is the trail paved? No. It’s crushed stone (gravel).

How long does the bike ride take? 25 miles from White Haven to Jim Thorpe takes 2-4 hours, depending on your pace.

Can you swim in the river? Not safely. The currents are strong, and there are no designated swimming areas.

Explore More

Nearby Biking & Activity Spots:

Regional Guides:

  • Full Poconos region guide for more waterfall, hiking, and outdoor recreation
  • PA State Parks complete list for other gorge and rail-trail biking destinations

Similar Experiences:

  • Schuylkill River Trail (Phoenixville to Reading): 60 miles of rail-trail biking in eastern PA
  • Lackawanna Coal Heritage Trail: Historic rail-to-trail in northeast PA with similar crushed-stone surface
  • Susquehanna Riverlands Trail: Extensions of the D&L system in adjacent counties