Mauch Chunk Lake Park: Part 2

Moving up the lake I am going to start where the last post did, except when you turn into the main driveway I am taking you right instead of left. The roads to the left lead to the campgrounds and day use areas. To access this part of the park there is a fee. For the day use areas the current fees are as follows:

Adults: $3.00 (resident of Carbon County) $5 (non-resident)

Children: $2.00 (resident) $3.00 (non-resident)

Children under 3, the disabled and adults over 65 receive free admission.

The camping rates vary dependent upon site. To check pricing or make reservations you can call the park office between 8:30 and 4:30 Mon-Fri at (570) 325-366. 

If you live in the area you can also stop by the office to make reservations for camping. 

The day use area has one of the largest beaches in the area.

There are also nice picnicking spots between the beach and the campgrounds. Today was a weekday after a rain and no one was out enjoying a cookout by the water. You may want to keep that in mind. Weekends are usually much busier so if you can get out on a weekday you don't have to be around as many people. 

There are cottages available and the campsites are pretty much the same as other locations. There are some waterfront sites. I took some friends here for a weekend last year. The overall experience was pretty good. It was on a weekend so there were a lot of people. A group near had a few drinks and got into an argument with other campers. Alcohol is not permitted anywhere within Mauch Chunk Lake Park. The local police did come in after the park rangers warned the group to settle down and they did not. If you do enough camping though, you learn that this happens just about anywhere on busy weekends. My friends had a good time so, even a little commotion doesn't ruin a camping trip.   

There are trails that lead out of the campground towards the top of the lake. They can be accessed from parking lots other than the campgrounds and are free to walk and no pass is needed. If you take them be prepared for an adventure. Portions of the trail are not maintained and you may have to do some climbing over trees or deciding which path is the right one to take. The trails are not clearly labeled, but are supposed to go around the entirety of the lake.

These trees have been down for years. On the other side is a boardwalk again with a tree overtop. The trails are still fun to hike, but maybe aren't for the beginner or those who don't like working around obstacles. 

A second boat launch is located at the upper portion of the lake. There are mooring sites here which can be rented out for the year and this is usually the place I go to launch my boat or do some fishing from shore. 

Around the lake there are a lot of little surprises if you are willing to look for them. This is a newly emerged Calico Pennant Dragonfly. Its wings are not yet hardened, it does not have its full coloration yet and you can see its larval exoskeleton still clinging to the grass blade.

A calm day on the lake with spectacular views.

If you are lucky you may even run into a Bald Eagle like I did today. I heard it from the opposite shore and paddled across the lake to get some shots. 

There will be one more part to the Mauch Chunk Lake Park posts and I have saved one of the best things found in the park for last. Well, that is, if you like birds. I will try to have the next part up early next week. In the meantime I am going to try to add some plant and animal posts to show you some of the more common creatures we have around Eastern PA. 

Mauch Chunk Lake Park: Part 1

Mauch Chunk Lake Park is located just west of historic downtown Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. As a result of the parks size and the amount of attractions to see and do there, I have decided to make this a three part series moving across the park from east to west. 

Taking Lentz Trail out of Jim Thorpe my first stop is the Switchback Trailhead, just off of Lentz on Flagstaff Drive. There is parking at the trailhead, but it is limited to several small pull offs. The Switchback here leads into the park following a small stocked trout stream. The trail is maintained very well and offers a nice flat hike with a small uphill grade. Our state tree, the Eastern Hemlock provides shade over the majority of the trail to the lake and this location is often very cool even on a hot summer day.

This is the stream that the trail follows. There are many access points along it for fishing and even on a busy day you can still find a place to throw in a line if you are willing to walk.

On my last hike down this section of the Switchback my dog spotted something just off of the trail. She was very insistent and we ended up stepping off of the trail for a moment. I soon saw what she was smelling and as it was climbing up a tree. The little one above was around thirty feet up before it found a branch it felt safe on and yes, porcupines do climb trees.     

If you make it to the lake via the Switchback, this will be your view from the dam. This area can also be accessed by parking at the lakes first parking lot off of Lentz Trail, just after the Penn State Extension Office. This lot is not paved and can be easily missed. 

The Switchback does continue on past the lake and can be accessed again at the main entrance of the park. This is the view looking back in the direction of the dam.

There is a nice photo op, here if you have kids or in my case a dog. Penny is riding the rails in this one. 

This is the main office of the park and what you will see right off through the main entrance. I will talk more about what they have to offer in my next blog post. For now I am just going to stick to the lower section of the lake.

If you drive down to the left of the office the road will take you to a parking lot right next to the lake. Here you will find the Mauch Chunk Lake Boat Rental. This small lakeside business specializes in everything you need to get out on the water and have a great time! 

They have kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddle boats and row boats with an optional motor. Bait, snacks and refreshments are also available.

From my experience in stopping by, the staff is very friendly and would be happy to get you out on the water! Reservations are recommended. If you are interested in reserving a boat or paddle board for a specific day and time or just need the address, you can use the following:

Mauch Chunk Lake Boat Rental

625 Lentz Trail, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229

(570)-325-4389

Hours:

Mon-Fri 8am to 7pm

Sat, Sun and Holidays 7am to 8pm

Hours may change due to weather conditions.  

Looking up the lake from the public boat launch.

The lake has two public access boat launches. This one is at the end of the first main parking area. There are also public restrooms and a fishing pier at this location as well. All of the parking locations I have mentioned in this post can be found on my blogs map located in the upper right hand corner above the ads.