Latest News

LACKAWAXEN, PA – Do you enjoy hiking?  Have you heard of Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River’s Take a Hike! program?  As a way to get people to enjoy the outdoors, Upper Delaware has partnered with the New York State Department of Conservation, the Pennsylvania State Game Lands, Sullivan County, NY, Boy Scouts of America, and Damascus Township, PA to create the Take A Hike! program which includes six local trails. Located in Masthope, Pennsylvania on PA Game Lands 316, the Cobey Pond Trail is one of the trails included in the Take A Hike! brochure.

The Cobey Pond Trail is a three mile lightly trafficked loop trail near Lackawaxen Township.  The gem of this trail is the pond itself and is good for all skill levels.  The trail is family friendly with its flat terrain.  It can be a perfect starter trail for young hikers or can even be enjoyed while pushing a jogging stroller.  Dogs are also permitted but must be kept on a leash. This easy trail offers several activities to enjoy whether it be bird watching, wildlife viewing, or wildflower identifying.  With a combination of gravel roads and grassy mown wooded paths, this trail is best used from May through October.

Upper Delaware’s “Take a Hike!” brochure highlights six local hikes and provides the names, locations, descriptions, and difficulty levels of trails in the Upper Delaware Valley.  It also provides a checklist to keep track of the trails you’ve hiked which can be turned in upon completion at Upper Delaware’s park headquarters or the Zane Grey Museum as well as mailing to the park for the coveted “Take a Hike!” patch.  Taking advantage of this local hiking program is a great way to get out and learn more about the beautiful natural resources of this region, whether you are visiting the area for the first time or are a lifelong resident who may not have ever know about these trails.  This resource is available on the web at www.nps.gov/upde/planyourvisit/take-a-hike or by calling (570) 685-4871 and asking a park ranger to put a copy in the mail for you.

When hiking the Cobey Pond Trail or any other trail it is always a good rule of thumb to be prepared by wearing sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bringing plenty of water, snacks, sunglasses, tick/insect repellant, binoculars, and a hat.  It’s also good practice to do a thorough tick check once you’re off the trail.  Please be respectful of this trail and remember that it is carry-in, carry-out.  Please don’t litter.

If you are seeking even more hiking opportunities close by, look at the TrailKeeper (www.trailkeeper.org) page for plenty of hiking options just across the river in Sullivan County, New York. Happy Hiking!