Pike: Nature, Hiking Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Pike
Pike County combines expansive nature with impressive traces of regional history. The Delaware River, diverse hiking trails, historic buildings and museums offer different possibilities for planning a trip. Those looking for a vacation rental in Pike can therefore first decide whether to focus on hiking days, water activities, culture or a versatile combination of all three.
Nature and Hiking Trails for Different Day Plans
One defining natural area is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. In Pike County, the area covers more than 17,000 acres and stretches along the Delaware River. Overall, the National Recreation Area offers more than 150 miles of hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. This provides a wide range of options for planning each day, without every outing having to be the same.
The McDade Trail allows for walks, hikes and bike rides along the Delaware River year-round. Promised Land State Park, 10 miles north of Canadensis on PA Route 390, and the adjacent Delaware State Forest offer a combined total of about 50 miles of hiking trails. The Little Falls Trail, by contrast, is a 1.02-mile loop trail with a higher level of difficulty. Those who want to experience waterfalls can take the Red Trail at Bushkill Falls, an almost 2-mile-long route that passes all eight waterfalls.
The Pocono Environmental Education Center also provides clear orientation for hiking days: six loop trails begin and end on the campus. The hiking trails are free and available year-round. The Delaware State Forest complements the landscape with secluded glacial lakes and wetlands featuring abundant plant and animal life, as well as scenic beauty.
River Landscapes and Historical Experiences
In summer, Pike County offers canoe trips on the Delaware River. There is also a public river access point opposite the Zane Grey House, allowing visitors to reach the river for boating and fishing. The Zane Grey House was the home of American author Zane Grey from 1905 to 1918. Seasonal, self-guided museum exhibitions are open to visitors there from Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend of September.
One of the most distinctive historic structures is Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct. The bridge is the oldest surviving wire suspension bridge in the United States and is designated as both a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark. Visitors can walk across the aqueduct while following the historic route used by canal boatmen and their mules more than a century ago. This combines a tangible landscape experience with an insight into the region's transportation history.
Culture, History and Local Discoveries
The Columns Museum is the repository for the artifacts and archives of Pike County. In Milford, Grey Towers was the home of Gifford Pinchot. The Walking Tours of Historic Milford are self-guided tours through a historic district dating back to 1733. The Upper Mill complements these attractions with regional craft and technology history: the restored, water-powered mill was originally built in the early 19th century.
Local products are also part of the region's character. The Milford Farmers Market offers goods from producers, bakers and farmers. This means a stay can be planned not only around hiking destinations and historic buildings, but also around regional products and the stories of the place.
Choose the Right Base for Your Trip
When searching for a vacation rental in Pike, one simple consideration can help: Which experiences should define the vacation? For nature-focused days, the hiking areas, loop trails and river activities described above can serve as the focus of the itinerary. Those who want to combine culture and activity can also include museums, historic walking tours, the Zane Grey House or Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct.
For further orientation, you can also explore Matamoras, South Sterling, Bushkill and Tafton.
For the overarching travel overview: Pennsylvania.
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