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    Hawk Mountain

    4.4 (54 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Reviews With Photos

    Raptor sign
    Alex L.

    Awesome hiking spot! The views are absolutely stunning from the top of the mountain. There is a $10 entry fee for adults, which can be purchased online or upon arrival. The information center and gift shop are fun for all ages, and maps can be acquired there before the hike. I would highly recommend visiting in early summer or fall. The staff keeps the trails neat and clean. As you hike, there are informative signs about the raptors at the sanctuary. Overall, it's a great place to visit. I recommend this place all the time to others who also love hiking! Don't forget your camera when you visit!

    Jennifer N.

    Been here twice and loved it! It's a very nice hiking spot in PA, super clean. The views from the top are amazing as you can enjoy a nice lunch here! I recommend wearing supportive hiking shoes as there are boulders you would have to scramble over. I don't usually workout but I would rate this as a moderate hike. Would 100% return.

    Nancy V.

    What a beautiful place. We went with a friend who is a volunteer here and I now understand why she loves it so. The park is clean and the trails near the Visitor Center are well maintained and are ADA accessible. There is a wealth of information about the area and about the Hawks and other wildlife that frequent this preserve. I think the entry fees are well worth the preservation of the preserve and the outstanding maintenance of the trails and buildings. We went to the South Lookout and the view was magnificent. We saw a few red-tailed hawk soaring over the valley. Walking back, we followed the Silhouette Trail which features life-sized silhouettes of vultures and condors from around the world. Yep, I hope to make it back here again and spend more time exploring the further trails.

    Veronica K.

    Hawk Mountain is a truly gorgeous place. There's a multitude of animal species to be seen here and I particularly like going here for bird watching, but that should be obvious considering it's name. I usually see hummingbirds in the summer which is always a treat. Plus there's a bunch of walking and hiking trails to take across the mountain. Go in the autumn when it's a flurry of colors, you won't regret it.

    Amazing views from the North Lookout.
    Linda M.

    Admittedly, I am not a birdwatcher nor an experienced hiker but our afternoon at Hawk Mountain on Sunday was quite enjoyable. There is an entry fee $10 or $7 Senior, over 65 but we were treated to a number of lookouts, no hawk sightings (that's ok, we went for the hike and to get outdoors) and a slightly challenging trail. The weather was perfect on the day we went. Temps in the high 60's and plenty of blue sky. The lookouts get crowded and since it was a weekend there were plenty of families with children. If you're not into that, go during the week.

    Minaz M.

    We did the "easy" trail to the north lookout. It was amazing!!! After the first mile or so, it was very rocky and full of stones/ pebbles but still worth it. It was $9 per person. Beautiful view from north lookout!!!

    North Lookout
    Dewan A.

    Great place. 1) This is one of the best hike in PA. 2) If you are an experienced hiker, do the loop: start from the red trail (river of rocks trail) to the gold trail (golden eagle trail) to my personal favorite blue trail (Skyline trail) tot he amazing North Lookout on the orange trail - which will take you back to the parking. 3) However, with the 2+ hours worth of drive from my house; and the per person fee of 9 bucks - don't think I will return - when I have Minnewaska near to my house with better views.

    Hawk Mtn vista, Nov 27th
    Lisa Q.

    It's on the rare occasion that I paw into the wilds of PA, but when I do, more often than not this is my destination. Hawk Mountain is one of my most beloved sites in all of the state. There are few experiences more awe-inspiring than perching at the top of an escarpment on a brisk, effulgent fall day, sweat beading on your brow, blood coursing through your veins from the stress of a strenuous, boulder-strewn path and spotting a lone, majestic raptor soaring on an updraft in the panorama of a gorgeous, sweeping vista... GOD, it's brilliant. Hawk Mountain offers this and more to you for the mere price of 5 bucks*. Hawk Mountain is a nationally renowned birds-of-prey sanctuary nestled within the realm of the Poconos, with miles of clever trails ranging from one that accommodates even wheelchairs, to grueling (read: awesome) trails featuring 10-foot vertical drops and expansive 'scarps. Although it's magnificent all year 'round, autumn sees the migration of thousands of buteos, falcons, vultures & eagles, all on parade in the skies. Autumn also sees tons more people gallivanting around on the trails, so go early on weekends or try to go during the week. October is normally the best month to go, you see the most bird activity then.** I actually prefer to go here by myself; I don't have to mask my embarrassing panting and huffing when scaling over rocks, and I feel very at peace with myself and with nature. I recall my favorite book from childhood, My Side of the Mountain, and sometimes secretly wish that I could disappear into the thickets, fashion a dress of deerskin, and commune with the birds. So come, gawk at hawks! Just make sure you wear correct footwear, the trails are as rocky as the sky is blue. And please be objectively aware of your abilities...if your idea of hiking prior to coming to Hawk Mountain was puffing up the flight of stairs to your office, might want to wait on the more challenging hikes for a while. *7 bucks on Fall weekends **In December, several trails are closed for a spell due to hunting season. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.

    hawk Mountain
    Dan R.

    Hawk Mountain is a great place to visit with the family. Hawks and other birds of prey are clearly visible during this time of year, in oct-nov admission is 7 dollars, and the rest of the year it is 5 dollars. The first lookout of the trail is handicap accessible, there is a special all-terrain wheelchair designed and free to use if you need it. The visitors center has lots and lots of information about hawks, eagles, owls, birds, migration, obstacles they face (such as illegal poaching), the appalachian trail, mountains, etc. Pretty neat, very modern. The Appalachian Trail runs close by in that area, and there were an abundance of hikers in he area. Be sure to bring energy bars, snacks and drinks with you, and bundle up!

    Hawk mountain North Lookout
    Anna B.

    Fantastic hawk sanctuary ! The views are breathtaking . Staff is super friendly, and very knowledgeable. We picked a great day to go : sunny, clear, no wind . I would strongly recommend hiking footwear. I wore sneakers with soft soles and 0 stability and now I feel it in my ankles .

    Typical gorgeous view
    Craig B.

    Six dollars buys your way into Hawk Mountain. Think of it as an investment in preserving one of the major stopping places on the southern hawk migration highway. Numerous hawks use a number of different routes to migrate north in the spring, but many use a route that passes through this area on their way south in the fall. About 100 years ago people thought that hawks were pests, so this was an area where hunters would gather to shoot the breeze -- and a lot of hawks. This went on for decades until a wealthy heiress from New York bought the entire mountain and donated it for preservation. I was here in August for the first time since I was a child and didn't see any hawks. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't go. There are breathtaking views. It's about 1.5 hours from Philadelphia. You owe it to youself and some friends and family to spend an afternoon up here. If you want to see hawks, then September to November is the time to be here. Most people are probably going to hike to the top up the Lookout Trail or the Escarpment Trail. These are the busier trails, very safe and easy walks up to several lookouts, including the main North Lookout. That's probably about 45 minutes to the top. Others might opt for the longer River or Rocks, then Golden Eagle Trail, then the Skyline Trail (about a four-hour hike). These, as advertized, have a lot of rocks (in some places, people should just clear some of the smaller rocks from the trail). Along the ridge of the mountain along the Skyline Trail we are talking boulders. In some cases you climb right up them. I stopped at one point along the Skyline Trail and decided that I would hop down a few boulders and look at the valley below -- until I heard the rattlesnake and quickly backed away. They get to live here, too. I would strongly advise that you wear good hiking shoes, stay on the trail, carry a cell phone (they do work here), and bring water. Hike with others if you can. Make a little noise while you hike. I continued along and about five minutes later another hiker warned me of another rattler. There was a fork in the trail so I just stayed to the right; there was never a threat. Given that they are here, and that you pay $6 to get in, I'm hoping that the visitor center has some emergency first aid for snake bites. An emergency call box at the North Lookout might also be helpful. I didn't see any signs warning people about snakes. Or you can just wait for the hawks to fly off with a few of them.

    Sunrise at South Lookout
    YF S.

    The view at the North Lookout is gorgeous. If you can, you need to get up there. There are many stone bench along the trail for you to rest. Get up there early morning and you can view the sun rising at the north side while the south side still cover with morning fog. The north lookout is right at the middle. Becareful if you want to try the River of Rock trail. At some area, especially area with rocks, it is hard to find the trail. Be very careful to look for the red paint on trees or rocks that mark the direction.

    Phil P.

    Very beautiful well-maintained and easy hiking area! It has something for everybody! Some of the trails are quite difficult, but most people can experience all of the beautiful scenery with little effort! I'd recommend this hike over and over again! I enjoyed climbing up the boulders on some of the trails, doing a little sprawling, and getting out on some serious ledges and looking over! The hawks are beautiful and I just absolutely loved this hike! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from a seasoned and traveled hiker!! http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/33507167

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    7 years ago

    Can't hike with your dog... Look outs were pretty but not that impressive. We'll go to any other park next time.

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    Review Highlights - Hawk Mountain

    Along the way to the North Lookout, you'll be amazed with the views and you'll be happy you made the effort.

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    The Pinnacle

    The Pinnacle

    5.0(15 reviews)
    5.5 mi

    Came here on Sat 10/25 to hike with a couple gf's and brought my doggo, Linc, since it's a dog…read morefriendly trail. I work out but I wasn't ready for this trail as a first time hiker lol! I wore sneakers but would have greatly benefited from hiking boots for more ankle support after slipping and tripping my way along the dense leaf covered dirt trail that continued to get more rocky on the ascent. Also, you will need to climb some legit large rocks/boulders to reach the Pulpit Rock overlook but the challenge was well worth it for the views! My gf's & I chose the easy way down which was to take the gravel road alongside the observatory that eventually transitions to pavement. Even the decline of this road was steep in itself. No easy way up or down haha! I saw people of all ages and fitness levels along my hike and plenty of cute dogs! Bring snacks and water to re-energize during a rest break. My one friend packed some TP and I thought it was a great idea cuz you just never know when you might have to go! Parking lot is a joke with ~20-25 spots but many ppl, including us, parked along Reservoir Rd so make sure to get here early in the morning or expect to walk a couple extra miles just to reach the start of the trail.

    Great spot for a day hike, with beautiful views at the two main lookouts - Pulpit Rock and the…read morePinnacle. The hardest part of the hike is getting to Pulpit Rock, as it starts with a fairly steep road to get to the trail, and then some more elevation climb as you get up to the lookout. From there, it's probably another 2.5 miles or so to get to the Pinnacle, but the elevation gain is minimal. Both of these stops provide great views, with lots of raptors flying around if you're lucky! Bring snacks and water, especially on a hot day, and cameras to take pictures!

    Photos
    The Pinnacle - Jerico and myself on a pinnacle hiking adventure  Loving life and the gifts God provides

    Jerico and myself on a pinnacle hiking adventure Loving life and the gifts God provides

    The Pinnacle - Pulpit Rock overlook with my pup

    Pulpit Rock overlook with my pup

    The Pinnacle

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    100 Mile View Overlook

    100 Mile View Overlook

    4.3(3 reviews)
    19.7 mi

    After 3 years of bi annual visits to Jim Thorpe, my boyfriend and I finally went to visit the…read moreoverlook (and it was finally opened - we had a great luck of it being closed the first 2-3 times we drove by it). You have to take a short detour off of either W Broadway or Beaver Run Dr. to Flagstaff Rd. There are signs you can follow all the way up there, on a one way dirt path 1,000 feet above the town, and only 3 miles away from it. We went around 4pm in November, when the sun was blending beautifully with the clouds. The panoramic view is insanely stunning! According to discovernepa.com : "Facing south, you'll take in a breathtaking look at the expansive Mahoning Valley and the rolling Pocono foothills. To the north, the overlook offers a stunning bird's-eye view of Jim Thorpe itself, nestled at the base of the mountains and bordered by the scenic curves of the Lehigh River." We took some pictures, walked around to take the views in. We noticed there is a development in process, so depending how long the construction will take place - I imagine the overlook might get more crowded, or the area more restricted. There is a picnic bench you can sit down at. And apparently there is also a camp site. Just imagine drinking your morning coffee with this view! Definitely will be visiting again when we're in the neighborhood.

    Take in stunning, panoramic views of the rolling hilltops of Carbon County at this overlook in Jim…read moreThorpe. 100 Mile View offers a southern survey of the Mahoning Valley and beyond. To the north, you can capture a bird's eye view of Jim Thorpe, the Lehigh Gorge State Park, and the snaking Lehigh River. it is accessible via Flagstaff Road (or put google map) Parking: ample parking on the top.!! but when you are reaching, its one-way dirt road to the top, like hardly 200-300 meter.

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    100 Mile View Overlook
    100 Mile View Overlook
    100 Mile View Overlook

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    Crystal Cave - Crystal Cave

    Crystal Cave

    3.6(94 reviews)
    10.7 mi

    My child and I went to Crystal cave for the first time and had such a great time learning the…read morehistory and science behind the cave. When you arrive, you park in their large parking spot, enter the gift shop and purchase your tour tickets. After, you'll walk up a big hill to the entrance. Before the tour, you watch a video about the history of the cave. It was very informative. Extremely dated but fun to learn! Our tour guide was great and helpful! We were lucky to be in a small group of only 2 other families. I would definitely bring a jacket because it was very cold for us.

    I vaguely remember visiting Crystal Cave as a kid, so my boyfriend and I decided to take a little…read moreroad trip to experience it again as adults. When you arrive, you'll head into the gift shop to buy tickets for the cave tour. After that, there's a bit of a climb up several flights of stairs to reach the cave entrance. The visit starts with a 13-minute video about the cave's history -- definitely dated and a little boring, but it does share some interesting information. The actual cave tour lasted about 40 minutes and stayed around 50°F inside, so bring a light jacket! We were on the first tour of the day (9:30 AM) with six other people. Our guide, Elle, was fantastic -- very knowledgeable and engaging. I enjoyed when she turned off all the lights to show what total darkness inside the cave looks like. This was a fun "one-and-done" experience. I wouldn't pay $20 per person to do it again, but I'm glad we went. After the tour, the gift shop and gem panning were open, though some of the other attractions were closed for the season (mid-October). I'd definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip just for it.

    Photos
    Crystal Cave - Crystal Cave

    Crystal Cave

    Crystal Cave
    Crystal Cave - Crystal Cave

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    Crystal Cave

    Hawk Mountain - hiking - Updated May 2026

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