There is a hike within an hour of Lake Harmony for whoever is coming on this trip. Flat, easy walks for grandparents and small kids. A couple of solid medium options with a real payoff. And two honest challenges for anyone who wants to work for the view. Here they are, organized by level, plus one option for the group that would rather not hike at all.
Easy
Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area — About 10 minutes from Lake Harmony off Route 115. Flat, well-marked trails along Tobyhanna Creek with a footbridge partway through for a natural turnaround.
- No meaningful elevation change, the flattest option on this list
- Trails follow Tobyhanna Creek for most of the route
- A footbridge partway through gives a shorter loop option for younger kids or grandparents
Tank Hollow Vista, near Jim Thorpe — About 30 minutes from Lake Harmony. The terrain itself is easy and mostly flat, but the round trip runs closer to 3.3 miles and the trailhead is unmarked, so it takes a bit more planning than Blakeslee.
- Round trip is about 3.3 miles, longer than it looks for an “easy” rated hike
- Trailhead is off Behrens Road on state game lands and is easy to miss, worth pulling up directions in advance
- Wear blaze orange during hunting season and keep pets leashed, rattlesnakes are known to sun on the rocks near the overlook
- Payoff is a wide view of the Lehigh River Gorge and its horseshoe bend
Medium
Hawk Falls Trail, Hickory Run State Park — About 15 to 20 minutes from Lake Harmony. Just over half a mile out and back, but the state park rates it more difficult than its length suggests because of uneven, sometimes slippery footing near the water.
- Trail runs about 0.6 to 0.7 miles round trip, short but not casual footing
- Ends at a 25-foot natural waterfall, one of the better fall photo spots in the region
- The state park notes the trail can ice over in winter, worth checking conditions late in the season
Boulder Field Trail, Hickory Run State Park — Same park as Hawk Falls, so it’s an easy add for a group already headed there.
- Full hike in is 3.5 miles and state-rated more difficult
- Ends at Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark formed by glacial activity
- A shorter dirt access road reaches the boulder field directly for anyone who wants to see it without the longer hike
- Some boulders shift underfoot, worth watching footing once you’re out on the field itself
Advanced
North Trail, Big Pocono State Park (Camelback Mountain) — About 30 minutes from Lake Harmony in Tannersville. State-rated most difficult, with roughly 600 feet of elevation change over a steep, rocky descent.
- About 600 feet of elevation change on a steep, rocky descent
- Real hiking shoes and water are worth bringing, as this is a genuine climb
- Summit views reach into three states on a clear day
- A paved summit access road is available for anyone in the group who wants the view without the hike
Shades of Death Trail, Hickory Run State Park — About 15 to 20 minutes from Lake Harmony. Also state-rated most difficult, but the challenge here is technical footing over rocks and roots along a series of small dam waterfalls, not a steep climb. A good option for a harder hike without the drive to Camelback.About 15 to 20 minutes from Lake Harmony. Also state-rated most difficult, but the challenge here is technical footing over rocks and roots along a series of small dam waterfalls, not a steep climb.
- Runs about 2.2 to 2.5 miles out and back along Sand Spring Run
- Difficulty comes from rocky, rooty footing rather than elevation, supportive shoes matter more than fitness level here
- Passes several small dam waterfalls along the creek
- Dog-friendly on leash, but not suited to strollers or wheelchairs
A note on trail safety: Glen Onoko Falls Trail near Jim Thorpe, often recommended in older guides, remains closed through 2026 during an ongoing state rehabilitation project. It is not included here and the posted closure should be respected.
For the Non-Hikers
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Jim Thorpe — About 30 minutes from Lake Harmony. The train runs through the same foliage the hikers are climbing through, no walking required, and pairs naturally with time in Jim Thorpe’s downtown afterward.
- Departs from downtown Jim Thorpe, no advance hiking gear needed
- Route runs along the Lehigh Gorge, the same foliage the trails above pass through
- Easy to pair with lunch or shopping in Jim Thorpe before or after
What to Bring
Real hiking shoes for anything beyond Blakeslee, water even on short hikes, a layer that comes off easily, and a charged phone since coverage is inconsistent on the more remote trails.
Coming Back to the House
However the day splits up, everyone ends up back at the same table. A group spread across six trail options and a train ride needs a house that can absorb that kind of day: hot showers for everyone at once, a kitchen built to feed the group after a long afternoon outside, and enough gathering space that the hikers and the non-hikers land in the same room by dinner. These are the kind of homes Pocono Mountain Rentals has built near Lake Harmony for 25 years, purpose-built for groups who spend the day outside and want the house to hold up when they get back.
FAQ
What is the easiest fall hike near Lake Harmony?
Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, about 10 minutes from Lake Harmony, is flat and well marked, making it a good fit for grandparents or young children.
Is Hawk Falls Trail hard?
It is short, just over half a mile round trip, but the state park rates it more difficult than its length suggests due to uneven and slippery footing near the falls.
Is Glen Onoko Falls Trail open?
No. The trail remains closed through 2026 during an ongoing state rehabilitation project. It should not be hiked regardless of what older guides or trail apps suggest.
What is the hardest hike near Lake Harmony?
North Trail at Big Pocono State Park has the most elevation change, but Shades of Death Trail at Hickory Run is rated equally difficult for its rocky, technical footing, with a shorter drive from Lake Harmony.
Is there anything to do near Lake Harmony that isn’t hiking?
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, about 30 minutes away, offers fall foliage views without any walking, and pairs well with time in Jim Thorpe’s downtown.
