Sweeping Winds Instead Of Honks
Surrounded by mountains and forests, White Haven lets the terrain guide the experience. The pace is slow, and nature speaks without effort. Trails begin where the pavement ends in this town.
Getting To White Haven
White Haven is located near Interstate 80 and Route 940, which makes it accessible from Philadelphia and New York City within approximately two to three hours, based on the traffic. Martz Trailways provides bus service to White Haven via the Park & Ride off Route 940.
Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
White Haven’s Civil War-Era Birthplace Preserved
Incorporated in 1842, White Haven holds onto structures that shaped its earliest chapters. Historical records suggest homes from the 1850s may still stand, though specific examples are not well-documented. The old Presbyterian church at 305 Berwick Street is a historic district.
Emailalantaylor, Wikimedia Commons
White Haven’s Civil War-Era Birthplace Preserved (Cont.)
Nearby, a restored Union Pacific caboose near the D&L Trail displays railroad memorabilia tied to the coal and lumber era. Informational plaques along the D&L Trail and guided walks, such as the White Haven Tannery Walk, highlight preserved sites tied to commerce and faith.
Coal, Canals, And Rails Built This Quiet Corner
Surprisingly, White Haven once handled enough coal to rival some larger industrial towns in the region. Its early growth came from this pivotal role in the 19th-century anthracite trade. Located on the Lehigh River, it funneled coal south via barge to reshape the town's economy.
Coal, Canals, And Rails Built This Quiet Corner (Cont.)
The town's street grid still mirrors the needs of that era, aligned with transport routes and rail spurs. Foundations of coal weigh stations remain near trail edges, and iron rails peek through undergrowth in wooded sections. Industrial bones hint at a once-booming commerce engine.
Old Railroad
Steel trestles from the Central Railroad of New Jersey still stretch across the Lehigh Gorge, now forming dramatic crossings on the Lehigh Gorge Trail. These elevated spans once roared with coal cars and passenger engines; today, they give sweeping views and shaded paths for bikers.
Old Railroad (Cont.)
The ironwork remains largely intact, with rusted bolts and rivets preserving 19th-century engineering methods. Interpretive signs along the trail highlight the trestles' origins by including their role in linking coal towns to urban markets. These reused relics now frame nature.
Logging Camps Once Bustled Deep In The Pines
Before forest protections took hold, logging camps filled the woods near White Haven. Workers cut white pine and hemlock, which sent logs downstream to sawmills. Though erased from old roadbeds, scattered iron remains are hidden in overgrowth near Pine Hill.
Clark Kinsey, Wikimedia Commons
Hickory Run State Park
Covering over 15,000 acres, Hickory Run State Park provides visitors a patchwork of dense forests and meandering streams. More than 40 miles of trails wind through the park to lead hikers to scenic overlooks and remnants of historic logging roads.
Ruhrfisch (talk), Wikimedia Commons
The Boulder Field
This 16-acre National Natural Landmark was formed by glacial movement over 20,000 years ago. Its vast, silent surface leaves a strong impression. Visitors walk across exposed boulders, bare and untouched by soil, where the land remains exactly as the ice age left it.
The Boulder Field (Cont.)
Unlike typical hiking destinations, this terrain offers no shade or marked path, just endless rock underfoot. The field's edges, however, show how the surrounding forest halts at its borders. The stark divide between barren stone and thick tree lines reveals a geological boundary.
Hawk Falls
A short hike down a well-marked trail leads to Hawk Falls, a 25-foot cascade within a fern-lined ravine. The water plunges into a clear pool, surrounded by towering hemlocks and rhododendrons. In spring and early summer, the trail bursts with blooming mountain laurel.
Original uploader was MikeParker (Michael H. Parker) at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Lehigh Gorge
Carved by the Lehigh River, this deep gorge winds for 26 miles past sheer cliffs and abandoned rail lines. Once a busy canal and rail corridor, it has biking and whitewater rafting. Interpretive signs tell about the area's coal transport and industrial past.
John D. from SE Pennsylvania, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Francis E. Walter Dam
Completed in 1961 for flood control, this US Army Corps of Engineers project now doubles as a recreation site. Its reservoir supports fishing and eagle watching. Trails skirt the shoreline, while seasonal water releases provide Class III rapids for organized rafting below the dam.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wikimedia Commons
Francis E. Walter Dam (Cont.)
Beyond water sports, the area provides year-round access to wildlife observation and photography. Bald eagles often nest nearby, sling with views of the Pocono foothills. In autumn, the reservoir turns a flood-control site into a quiet scenic highlight.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wikimedia Commons
Choke Creek Falls
Located within Pinchot State Forest just outside White Haven, Choke Creek Falls is reached by a peaceful 1.2-mile trail winding through oak and maple woodlands. The waterfall tumbles nearly 20 feet into a shallow basin, its spray catching sunlight beneath a canopy of green.
Nicholas A. Tonelli from Northeast Pennsylvania, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Choke Creek Falls (Cont.)
Though modest in height, the falls charm with their secluded feel. Hikers often pause on the natural rock outcroppings nearby to listen to water cut through the quiet. Along the trail, seasonal wildflowers bloom in spring, while woodpeckers dart through the treetops.
Sand Spring Lake
Sand Spring Lake has a designated swimming beach with lifeguards during peak season in Hickory Run State Park. Families often picnic at shaded tables nearby while walking trails circle the water. It becomes a tranquil spot for reading or cooling off between hikes in warmer months.
Ruhrfisch (talk), Wikimedia Commons
Mud Run Trails
Mud Run Natural Area lies hidden within the quieter reaches of Hickory Run, where solitude replaces foot traffic. Trails here run beside a lively creek, flanked by wetlands and underbrush. Mountain laurel blooms in summer, and birdsong follows hikers through winding paths.
Mud Run Trails (Cont.)
The trail's gentle inclines and shaded corridors invite a slower pace. Painted turtles may sun themselves near the water's edge, while deer occasionally emerge between tree breaks. With each step, the forest deepens, not in density, but in stillness.
Forest Canopies
Come October, White Haven's forests burst into color. Sugar maples and oaks ignite red and orange, especially along high ridge trails near the Lehigh Gorge and Shades of Death. Photographers flock here for peak foliage, and roadside stops have striking views of the canopy.
Shades Of Death Trail
This 2.2-mile loop in Hickory Run bears a chilling name, but it’s a leisurely walk along Sand Spring Run. Wooden footbridges and dense hemlock groves line the path. The name's origin remains debated, but the mossy rocks and sudden hush of the woods make it a mystery.
Lehigh Gorge Trail
Starting at White Haven's trailhead, the Lehigh Gorge Trail follows a former rail line beside the Lehigh River. Riders pass waterfalls and remnants of canal locks. With a mostly downhill grade to Jim Thorpe, the 26-mile stretch provides dramatic river views throughout.
Listroiderbob2, Wikimedia Commons
D&L Trail
The Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) Trail spans over 140 miles, but near White Haven, it highlights the town's rich industrial past. Cyclists pass remnants of the Lehigh Canal and interpretive panels that recount the region's pivotal role in coal transport and commerce.
Bradford Van Arnum (Sunweb52), Wikimedia Commons
D&L Trail (Cont.)
This stretch provides scenic views of dense woods and river overlooks. Canal walls peek through the undergrowth, while benches near mile markers provide resting points with historical context. Many riders pair this with a journey through Lehigh Gorge for a fuller experience.
D&L Rail Trail Rockport to White Haven by Down Hex Highway
Lehigh Canal
Along the D&L Trail near White Haven, remnants of the Lehigh Canal emerge from the forest. Stone lock walls, some still intact, line the riverbank. Built in the 1830s, these structures once lifted canal boats filled with coal; now, moss and vines weave through their quiet outlines.
DCwom (talk), Wikimedia Commons
Bike Rental Stations
Several outfitters in White Haven provide bikes and shuttle services to trailheads. Rentals cater to riders of all skill levels, with options from hybrid cruisers to mountain bikes. Most services include transport back from Jim Thorpe, an enjoyable downhill ride without backtracking.
D&L Rail Trail Rockport to White Haven by own Hex Highway
Local Fishing Holes
White Haven Anglers often return to the Lehigh River's quiet bends, particularly below the Francis E. Walter Dam. Spring brings vigorous trout activity, especially brown and rainbow, along cooler, faster-moving waters. Some cast from the banks, while others wade midstream.
Fishing Francis Walter Dam by Fishden365
Local Fishing Holes (Cont.)
Downstream, eddies behind submerged logs attract smallmouth bass, active in late summer. Nearby tributaries like Bear Creek hold native brook trout in shaded pools. Local anglers rely on years of trial, not trail signs. Conversations hint at locations, but to get there is a feat in itself.
Trout Fishing Pennsylvania's Lehigh River by Pautzke Bait
Horseback Rides With Pocono Panoramas
Local stables have guided rides along forested trails that rise toward scenic ridges. Riders pass under old-growth pines and may glimpse wildlife crossing the path. In fall, higher ridge sections of the trail show views of a changing canopy designed for equestrians and first-timers alike.
HORSEBACK RIDING IN THE POCONOS by DJ SERRANO
Nights At Developed Campgrounds
Hickory Run State Park offers developed camping with over 380 sites, including modern amenities like electric hookups and flush toilets. From mid-October to December, rustic options with limited services become available. Stargazing is a highlight at designated sites.
Hickory Run State Park Campground Review #campgroundreviews by Fentventures
Picnic Spots Few Tourists Ever Find
Locals favor hidden-away picnic spots beyond the main parking areas, like those near Mud Run's quieter bends or along lesser-used trails off Fireline Road. Some clearings have stone fire rings or handmade benches. These spots are known to regulars by memory alone.
Muddy Creek PA and a Trib by Tight Lining MD
Goeringer Preserve
The Harry and Mary Goeringer Preserve safeguards one of Pennsylvania's most sensitive ecosystems just east of White Haven. Its acidic shrub swamps host bog rosemary and other rare flora, which thrive in nutrient-poor soil that few other plants can tolerate.
Quinn Dombrowski, Wikimedia Commons
Goeringer Preserve (Cont.)
Besides its botanical rarity, the preserve is vital for pollinators and nesting birds. Sphagnum moss glows green beneath tamaracks in spring, and dragonflies skim low over wetlands. Educational signage explains the ecosystem's fragility and urges visitors to tread lightly.
James K. Lindsey, Wikimedia Commons
Birdwatchers Catch Glimpses Of Scarlet And Song
White Haven's trails draw birdwatchers year-round, but spring is the highlight. Scarlet tanagers and black-throated green warblers flash through the canopy. Likewise, Lehigh Gorge and Hickory Run provide ideal viewing to attract migratory and nesting species in a compact range.
Juan Jose Arango, Wikimedia Commons
Foxes And Bears Live Just Beyond View
White Haven's surrounding forests house red foxes and black bears. These animals tend to avoid noise, but early-morning hikers sometimes spot them crossing trails or foraging near streams. Rangers advise keeping a distance and storing food properly in areas like Mud Run.
D. Gordon E. Robertson, Wikimedia Commons
Seasonal Migrations Bring Aerial Spectacles
Every spring and fall, White Haven lies beneath major migratory flyways. Hawks circle above the ridgelines, while warblers refuel in forested hollows. The changing seasons also bring monarch butterflies and dragonflies swarming over low fields as the light begins to thin.
The White Haven Market
The local grocery hub offers fresh produce and pantry staples to support everyday life in White Haven. At 501 Main Street, White Haven Market helps neighbors stay connected through weekly errands and shared routines, where the checkout line often doubles as a catch-up spot.
Holy Ghost Distillery
Then, if you’re looking for a place that keeps things fun in White Haven, Holy Ghost Distillery serves up house-made spirits with a side of storytelling nights, tasting labs, and speakeasy vibes. Their cocktails are all handcrafted—right down to the mixers.
Holy Ghost Distillery by Holy Ghost Distillery, Inc.
White Haven Fire Company Hosts The Town Together
The White Haven Fire Company plays a vital role beyond emergencies by hosting community fundraisers that support local causes and foster connection. Essentially, the fire company isn't just about emergency response in the town; it also plays a social and civic role.
White Haven Fire : Conestoga Buildings by Conestoga Buildings
Lions Club Service
There’s also the White Haven Lions Club, which offers scholarships and organizes other events and fundraisers. Volunteers show up without fanfare, and collectively, they provide at least two $2,000 scholarships each year, funded by their golf tournament.
Lions Club Service (Cont.)
Their service extends to supporting other local organizations, including the Community Library, the fire department, and the summer recreation program. They also collaborate with the Knights of Columbus and contribute to the local food pantry.
Hometown Holidays Brighten The Darkest Nights
Each November 30 at Memorial Park, White Haven's Hometown Holidays Festival fills the borough with lights and community spirit. Children visit Santa, local vendors set up festive booths, and neighbors gather to welcome the season in a celebration that feels closely knit.
White Station HS @2024 Whitehaven Christmas Parade by Marching with Promise
A Snapshot Of Who Lives In White Haven
According to the 2020 Census, 1,166 people call White Haven home. It’s a family-centered community, and the median household income is $54,643. These figures reflect a close-knit borough, helpful for visitors seeking a small-town experience rooted in community.
