Facility Overview

Big Pocono State Park Parking Lot # 1 is a scenic, open-air mountaintop surface parking facility located at the summit of Camelback Mountain near the Horace B Rowland State Heliport in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. Situated at an elevation of roughly 2,133 feet above sea level, this lot serves as the premier entry point for visitors looking to take in the panoramic three-state vistas or embark on rugged hiking excursions. Because it is an open-air surface lot with no overhead barriers or height restrictions, it offers unrestricted vertical clearance that easily accommodates compact cars, full-size pickup trucks, SUVs, passenger vans, and vehicles carrying rooftop cargo boxes, kayak mounts, or bicycle racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Perched directly on the summit crest, Parking Lot # 1 offers visitors front-row access to some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the Pocono Mountains region. On clear days, the overlooks surrounding the lot afford breathtaking views across eastern Pennsylvania, New York’s Catskill Mountains, and northern New Jersey, including the Delaware Water Gap. Key points of interest and trailheads located immediately adjacent to or within a short walk/drive from the lot include:

• Summit Overlook & Rim Road: Located immediately adjacent to the parking lot, providing sweeping 360-degree panoramas and scenic picnic sites.
• South Trail & Indian Trail: Challenging hiking trailheads located right off the summit loop, offering direct access down the rocky southern and eastern slopes.
• Camelback Mountain Resort: Situated just down the mountain slope, featuring winter skiing and snowboarding, summer zip-lining, and the Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark (approx. 5 to 10 minutes by car).
• The Crossings Premium Outlets: A premier shopping destination situated at the base of the mountain in Tannersville, roughly a 10 to 12-minute drive away.
• Downtown Tannersville Dining: Multiple local restaurants, brewpubs, and family eateries located along Route 611 (within a 10 to 15-minute drive).

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular access to Parking Lot # 1 is achieved via Camelback Road winding up through the mountain resort corridor and transitioning onto Rim Road, the paved one-way summit loop circling the top of Big Pocono State Park. Ingress and egress are straightforward, though drivers should navigate the steep mountain grades, switchbacks, and wildlife crossings with care. Road access is typically seasonal, opening in spring and closing at the onset of winter snow operations. Regional connectivity is exceptional: Interstate 80 (Exit 299 for PA-715/Tannersville) and Pennsylvania Route 611 are only 10 to 15 minutes away, providing direct routes from the Lehigh Valley, Northern New Jersey, and the Greater New York metropolitan area. Public transit does not directly climb the mountain summit, making personal vehicles, tour shuttles, or rideshares the primary modes of arrival.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Free Mountaintop Parking: As part of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) state park system, day-use parking is completely free with no entry permits required.
• Open-Air Surface Stalls: Paved, clearly demarcated standard and accessible (ADA) parking spaces.
• Unrestricted Overhead Headroom: Fully open sky layout suited for lifted trucks, vans, and roof-racked recreation vehicles.
• Picnic & Rest Facilities: ADA-accessible picnic tables, charcoal grills, and seasonal modern/vault restroom facilities located near the lot perimeter.
• Immediate Trailhead Access: Seamless connection to miles of marked hiking, equestrian, and mountain biking trails.
• Helipad Adjacent: Adjacent to the Horace B Rowland State Heliport, often utilized for forestry operations and emergency regional transport.

Ideal For

• Nature Lovers & Sightseers: Visitors seeking effortless access to panoramic 360-degree views across three states without an arduous uphill trek.
• Hikers & Trail Runners: Outdoor adventurers looking for a dependable summit trailhead base to access the South, North, and Indian trail loops.
• Families & Picnickers: Groups planning a picturesque lunch at elevation equipped with coolers, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets.
• Photographers & Leaf Peepers: Landscape photographers and autumn foliage enthusiasts capturing vibrant colors across the Pocono plateau.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Before heading up the mountain, check the official PA DCNR website for seasonal gate opening and closing dates, as Rim Road is closed to vehicular traffic during the winter and early spring months. During peak fall foliage weekends in October, the summit lot fills rapidly; arriving before 10:00 AM or after 3:00 PM will help secure a stall without circling. Exercise low-gear braking when descending Camelback Road to avoid overheating your brakes, and remember that pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.