Hiking at Big Pocono State Park

8.5 miles of trails

Since Big Pocono State Park is a mountaintop, most of the trails have steep grades. Some trails are extremely steep with rough grades. Inexperienced hikers should contact the Tobyhanna State Park office for more information before hiking.

Big Pocono State Park Trail Map (PDF)

Trail Definitions

Difficulty Ratings

Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.

Trail Route Type

Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.

Indian Trail

1.3 miles  |  Easiest hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

Indian Trail is the easiest hike in the park and offers scenic views from the eastern cliffs.

North Trail

1.0 mile  |  Most difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

North trail extends down the mountain and is steep and rugged. Hikers experience a 600 foot elevation change on the trail.

North Trail Lower Loop

3.2 miles  |  Most difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

North Trail follows the southern slope and is steep and rugged. 

Scout Trail

0.09 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This is a short connector trail for South Trail

South Trail

3.0 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

South Trail follows the eastern slope and is steep and rugged with two scenic views.

South Trail Upper Loop

0.7 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

When combined with the Indian trail, South Trail Upper Loop provides the easiest, non-paved hike at Big Pocono.

Vista Trail

0.1 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This short connector trail leads to a scenic view on South Trail.