Attractions and Places To See around Pikes Creek - Top 4

The Pikes Creek area, part of Pike County, offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can explore multi-use trails for hiking and mountain biking at Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area. Water-based recreation is popular at Harveys Lake, which is ideal for swimming, boating, and fishing. The broader region also features numerous waterways, including the Delaware River, perfect for canoeing and scenic views.

Yes, there are several hiking opportunities. Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area offers various trails suitable for hiking. For more challenging routes, consider the 5 Tree Trail within the Moon Lake area, known for its technical sections. Additionally, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, located in Pike County, features scenic trails leading to impressive waterfalls like Raymondskill Falls and Dingmans Falls.

Mountain biking is a popular activity, especially at Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area. This area is known for its singletrack routes with rocky sections. The 5 Tree Trail is a particularly challenging option with rock gardens and steep hills. You can find various mountain biking routes, including the "Moon Lake loop" and "Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area perimeter loop," on komoot's MTB Trails around Pikes Creek guide.

The region is rich in waterways. Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania's largest natural lake by volume, is a prime spot for swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing. Moon Lake is also popular for fishing and kayaking. Beyond these, Pike County boasts over 1,800 miles of streams and numerous lakes, including Lake Wallenpaupack, offering diverse recreational opportunities.

Yes, families can find several enjoyable options. Harveys Lake is excellent for family outings with swimming and boating. Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area offers multi-use trails and a lake, suitable for various ages. For a different kind of fun, Pikes Creek Raceway Park, located nearby in Hunlock Creek, features go-karts, mini-golf, and an arcade.

Pike County is home to several impressive waterfalls, primarily within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. You can visit Raymondskill Falls, Pennsylvania's tallest at 178 feet, and Dingmans Falls, the second tallest at 130 feet, which is near Silverthread Falls. Bushkill Falls, known as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania," also features a series of eight waterfalls accessible via trails. Childs Park, home to three waterfalls along Dingmans Creek, is scheduled to reopen in mid-2024.

In Pike County, you can explore Grey Towers National Historic Site, the former home of Gifford Pinchot, the first leader of the U.S. Forest Service. The Columns Museum in Milford houses Pike County's artifacts, including an American flag linked to Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, the Zane Grey Museum, the former vacation home of the renowned Western novelist, is located in Lackawaxen.

The area offers various cycling routes. For road cycling, consider the "Harveys Lake loop" or longer routes like "Harveys Lake to Ricketts Glen State Park loop." Mountain bikers can explore routes such as the "Moon Lake loop" or the more challenging "Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area northern loop." You can find detailed routes in komoot's Cycling around Pikes Creek and Road Cycling Routes around Pikes Creek guides.

Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area is popular for its diverse offerings. It features well-maintained singletrack mountain biking trails with challenging rocky sections, as well as plenty of trails for hiking. The 48-acre Moon Lake itself is a spring-fed lake popular for fishing and kayaking, making it a versatile outdoor playground for nature lovers.

Harveys Lake holds the distinction of being the largest natural lake by volume in Pennsylvania and the second largest by surface area, spanning 658 acres. It's a vibrant destination offering a wide range of water sports, including swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing. Its shoreline is dotted with numerous restaurants, boat launches, and beaches, making it a central hub for recreation in the area.

The best time to visit Pikes Creek for outdoor activities generally spans from spring through fall. Summer offers ideal conditions for water sports at Harveys Lake and Moon Lake, as well as for hiking and mountain biking. Spring and fall provide cooler temperatures, which are excellent for exploring trails at Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area and enjoying the scenic beauty of the region's waterfalls and forests.