White Haven is a small Lehigh River borough of about 1,100 people at the western entrance to the Poconos, right off I-80 Exit 273. It's best known as the north end of the Lehigh Gorge Trail, the crushed-stone rail trail that follows the river about 25 miles down to Jim Thorpe.
The town is named for Josiah White of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. In the 1800s the Lehigh Canal met the railroad here, and a restored yellow Union Pacific caboose on South Main Street still holds railroad memorabilia. Hickory Run State Park and Jack Frost ski area both use White Haven addresses, and the lake communities of Lake Harmony and Albrightsville are a short drive away.
The Lehigh Gorge Trail and bike rentals
- Lehigh Gorge State Park's White Haven North Access is at Main and Susquehanna streets; the South Access is off PA 940 west. Day-use areas close at dusk.
- From White Haven the trail runs through Lehigh Tannery and Rockport to Glen Onoko and Jim Thorpe, about 25 miles in all, on crushed stone.
- Closures to know: a rock slide has closed the trail between the Nesquehoning Trestle and Glen Onoko, near Jim Thorpe, until further notice. And since June 2024, PennDOT's I-80 bridge replacement has closed most of the White Haven South Trailhead and its boat launches (the access road, overflow parking and commercial launch area stay open).
- Trail Town Bikes has a self-serve rental kiosk at 201 Main Street, across from the north trail parking. Rent through the Movatic app; helmets are free, the first 20 minutes are free, riders must be 15 or older, and it runs March through November or the first real snow. No shuttles: you bring the bike back to the kiosk.
- Pocono Bike Rental (Pocono Outdoors) at the South Access rents bikes, runs bike shuttles and is a river outfitter, April through November. Pocono Biking, based in Jim Thorpe, also lists a White Haven location and runs Lehigh Gorge shuttles.
Sources: Lehigh Gorge State Park · D&L Trail: White Haven to Lehigh Tannery · D&L Trail: Glen Onoko to Jim Thorpe · Trail Town Bikes · Pocono Outdoors · Pocono Biking
Hickory Run, Jack Frost and other nearby outdoors
- Hickory Run State Park (3 Family Camp Road, White Haven) covers 15,990 acres in Carbon County, with the Boulder Field National Natural Landmark, more than 40 miles of hiking trails, trout streams and camping. From I-80 take Exit 274 and PA 534 east about 6 miles.
- Jack Frost ski area's address is 434 Jack Frost Mountain Road, White Haven; from Turnpike Exit 95 it's about 4 miles east on PA 940.
- F.E. Walter Dam, north of town, has a boat launch without a ramp (10 horsepower limit, no swimming). Nescopeck State Park in nearby Drums is another option for trails.
- In winter, the Lehigh Gorge Trail from White Haven to Penn Haven Junction is a 15-mile snowmobile trail, and Hickory Run has 21 miles of snowmobile trails plus lake skating when the ice allows.
Sources: Hickory Run State Park · Jack Frost Big Boulder: getting here · D&L: White Haven
Practical: food, groceries and the hospital
- Powerhouse Eatery (60 Powerhouse Road, 570-443-4480) serves American casual fine dining, open daily for dinner and from noon on weekends. Call to confirm hours.
- The White Haven Market is on the way to the trailhead parking. For a full supermarket, plan to shop on your way in.
- The nearest emergency room is Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton, 700 E. Broad Street, Hazleton, open 24/7.
- White Haven Borough's office is at 312 Main Street (570-443-9129).
Sources: Powerhouse Eatery · LVHN: Hazleton emergency room · White Haven Borough
Where to stay near White Haven
There are few vacation homes in the borough itself. Most guests who come to ride the Lehigh Gorge or ski Jack Frost stay in the lake communities a few miles east, in Lake Harmony, Albrightsville and Blakeslee, which have hot tubs, game rooms and room for groups. Every host on our site is responsible for the home's township short-term rental permit. Your host will confirm house rules, occupancy limits and any community passes before you arrive.
