Jacobsburg State Park a/k/a Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, south of the Pocono Mountains, offers beautiful woodland scenery and a variety of trails — some along tranquil Bushkill Creek. In addition, Jacobsburg offers special programs highlighting its historical roots throughout the year. These events showcase Jacobsburg’s significance in America’s early firearms industry and include encampments and tours of historical buildings.
Jacobsburg State Park is located 20 miles northeast of Allentown (PA) and 30 miles southwest of the Delaware Water Gap (PA) and is easily accessible from PA Route 33. See the location map below for details. If you’re in the Lehigh Valley or Pocono Mountains area, consider a trip to Jacobsburg — an easy drive with plenty of outdoor fun to enjoy at no cost to you. A win-win!
Jacobsburg welcomes hikers of all ability levels. In fact, you can choose from wide paved trails to packed earth trails to winding, narrow trails (with some inclines) that hug the creek. None of the trails are difficult to traverse. Whichever trail you choose, you’ll be surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.
Admission
- FREE 😃
- Your leashed dog is welcome to join you. 🐶
What You’ll Find at Jacobsburg State Park
- over 1,100 acres of woodland, fields, and creeks
- 18 miles of well-maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing
- a native garden and butterfly garden to view birds, butterflies, and other small wildlife
- a picnic area with picnic tables and grills along Belfast Road near Henrys Woods plus a pavilion in the Henrys Forge area
- the Bushkill Creek, which runs through the park, for fishing
- historical buildings that date to the 18th century to view and visit
- events offered through the Jacobsburg Historical Society throughout the spring, summer and fall that include Revolutionary War encampments, World War II encampments, and tours of historical buildings
- an environmental education center for community education
- specific areas for hunting, trapping, and training of dogs during certain times during of the year
Location Map
400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064 / 610-746-2801
The Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center and the main parking lot are a mile from Route 33: take the Belfast exit, turn a slight right onto Henry Road, turn left onto Belfast Road/SR 1010, and continue till you reach the parking lot. Please note that you can enter the trails from other locations; please see the park map below for details.
Park Map
Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive early on the weekends to beat the crowds. Fewer people make your time there more enjoyable.
- Consider all your options for accessing the trails; there are small parking lots at many trailheads.
- Bring bug spray. It can get quite buggy at times. And remember that ticks may be present, as well.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Bring water (and snacks). There are no concession stands.
- If needing a restroom, visit the buildings with bathrooms at the Environmental Education Center. From that parking lot, walk over the bridge (crossing the creek); the bathrooms are up ahead on the left. There are no bathrooms once you begin your hike.
- Do NOT feed or otherwise disturb the wildlife.
- Do NOT swim in the creek.
Brief History of Jacobsburg State Park
Think Jacobsburg is just a pretty place to visit? Not so! Part of the charm of Jacobsburg is knowing its rich history. The community of Jacobsburg was named for Jacob Hubler, its founder, in 1740. William Henry II bought some land here in 1792 to build a gun manufacturing facility. (His father, William Henry I began a gun factory in Lancaster, PA over four decades prior to this.)
William Henry II built a forge and a larger manufacturing facility in Bouton which is within the park. The Henry family continued to produce small firearms for several generations. In fact, their firearms were used in the country from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. In addition, the Henry rifle was used on the American frontier in the 19th century. Production eventually ceased after the advent of mass production facilities.
If you’re interested in the historic district at Jacobsburg, check out the event calendar at the Jacobsburg Historical Society. There are special encampment events as well as some historical buildings:
- the John Joseph Henry House with artifacts and furnishings from the Henry family;
- the Pennsylvania Longrifle Museum with a collection of hand-crafted long rifles; and
- the Nicholas Hawk Gun Shop, an original homestead, dating from 1801, that was relocated from its original site elsewhere in the state to its present location.
Nearby Attractions
Consider visiting some other great places in Pennsylvania:
- Big Pocono State Park, Poconos
- Bushkill Falls, Poconos
- Colonial PA Plantation, outside Philadelphia
- Driving Tour of the Covered Bridges in Bucks County
- Driving Tour of the Covered Bridges of the Lehigh Valley
- Gettysburg Visitor Guide
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Lehigh Valley
- Hickory Run State Park, Poconos
- Housenick Park, Lehigh Valley
- John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, outside Philadelphia
- Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia
- National Museum of Industrial History, Lehigh Valley
- Philadelphia Self-Guided Walking Tour
- Philadelphia: Fairmount Park’s Unique Colonial Mansions & Their Stories
- Best Things to Do in Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Promised Land State Park, Poconos
- Ricketts Glen State Park, Poconos
- Ridley Creek State Park, outside Philadelphia
- Tyler State Park, Bucks County
- Valley Forge National Historical Park, outside Philadelphia
- Washington Crossing Historic Park, Bucks County
Final Thoughts
Jacobsburg is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while appreciating nature year-round. I like hiking through the woods, listening to the creek babble alongside the trail, and spotting wildflowers along the way in the warmer months. But it’s also beautiful in the winter. Plus it’s an easy trip from anywhere in eastern Pennsylvania — whether you live nearby or are passing through the area.
Knowing the historical significance of this land makes my visits more interesting as I ponder those who lived here and walked these grounds many generations ago. Planning to visit during a weekend of historical events hosted by the Jacobsburg Historical Society is a bonus to any trip here.
Although you can certainly follow a printed trail map, you can also use the All Trails app so you can locate exactly where you are relative to other trails (or where your car is parked) while hiking.
Finally, you can enter trails at several points. I’ve used the main entrance parking lot to begin a trek. But I tend to prefer parking at other trailheads because I’ve found those trails are less congested. Keep in mind, though, that because those outer parking lots are smaller, they tend to fill up quickly.
Comments?
Please share your ideas for other great places to visit in the area. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
I used to go hiking here as a teenager. Glad they are still keeping it up.