Blue Mountain Bike Park

Rocky Pocono downhill close to Philly and NYC.

The mountain with Pennsylvania’s biggest ski vertical runs a downhill park Friday through Sunday, with more than 30 trails off the Comet quad, from the green Shakedown Street and a pump track to rocky expert lines like Chunkleberry and Fear & Loaming. The resort is frank that even its greens have roots, rocks and steep pitches, so a full-suspension bike helps. It is the closest serious bike park to Philadelphia and New York City.

At a glance

Trails

30+ including drops and a pump track

Lift

Comet Quad

Ski vertical

1,082 ft, the most in Pennsylvania

Days

Fri–Sun

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert

What’s here

• Lift-served
• Downhill
• Flow trails
• Jump lines
• Pump track / skills park
• Bike rentals
• Lessons and camps
• Races and festivals

Rentals, guides and shops

• Blue Mountain bike rentals and lessons

  Full-day rental with helmet and body armor for $129, beginner lessons that teach lift loading and Shakedown Street, and the True Blue shop for repairs.

• Pocono Biking

  Jim Thorpe outfitter renting Trek bikes with shuttles for the 25-mile Lehigh Gorge section of the D&L Trail.

Events

“Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• RaceOct 3–4Past

  PICL bike race

  Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League race weekend at the bike park.

• FestivalWeekends Oct 3–4 and 10–11, 11 am–4 pmPast

  Foliage Fest

  Fall festival in the Summit Courtyard, with live music at the Slopeside Pub & Grill.

Where to stay

• hotelHampton Inn Lehighton–Jim Thorpe

  Reliable chain hotel between the mountain and Jim Thorpe.

  20 min drive
• innThe Inn at Jim Thorpe

  Historic inn on Broadway in Jim Thorpe’s Victorian downtown.

  30 min drive
• b&bThe Harry Packer Mansion Inn

  Victorian mansion bed and breakfast above Jim Thorpe.

  30 min drive

Nearby

• Lehigh Gorge rail trail · 30 min drive

  Easy, scenic riding through the gorge on the D&L Trail, with shuttles from Jim Thorpe.

• Jim Thorpe · 30 min drive

  Victorian river town with shops, cafés and scenic train rides.

• Mauch Chunk Lake Park · 35 min drive

  County park with a swimming beach, boat rentals, camping and trails outside Jim Thorpe.

Getting there

• Lehigh Valley International (ABE) · about 30 min drive
• Philadelphia · about 1.75 hr
• New York City · about 2 hr

Directions in Google Maps