Greater Hazleton provides many attractive outdoor recreation spots because of the natural beauty that surrounds us. This beauty dwells in our state parks, state gamelands, lakes, ponds, and streams - and even in many of our backyards.

We also have professional sports teams and countless amateur and recreational sports leagues, along with ski areas, ice skating rinks, whitewater rafting, race tracks, horseback riding - not to mention our community centers, sports fields and courts, golf courses, picnic areas, parks, playgrounds, and swimming facilities.

Basically, what this means is that you can backpack, bike, camp, fish, hike, ride, hunt, boat, ski, sled, snowmobile, golf, skydive, work out, skate, swim, cheer, and play in Greater Hazleton, and you won't have to go out of your way to do it. All of the region's recreational resources are minutes away.

There are plenty of natural wonders around Greater Hazleton. We are literally on top of thousands of acres of Pennsylvania game lands, which are home to deer, bear, snowshoe hares and cottontails. Turkey, grouse, pheasant, woodcock, droves and waterfowl abound.

Pennsylvania boasts one of the best-managed state park systems in the nation, and Greater Hazleton has more than its share. More than a dozen state parks and forests lie within an hour's drive of the city. These parks offer everything from hiking to birdwatching to fishing to powerboating. For family fun in one of these parks, spend a day in the park exploring one of our two National Natural Landmarks, have a picnic, or enjoy a weekend camping trip.

The three closest parks are Hickory Run, Lehigh Gorge, and Nescopeck. Each offers something different.

Hickory Run is 15,483 acres of woodlands with tent and trailer camping, cabins, a beach, and Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark created by nature 20,000 years ago. The park offers hunting in the park and on adjacent state game lands, fishing in three streams and the Lehigh River, camping areas and special campfire programs, nature walks on 37 miles of hiking trails, 16 miles of snowmobiling trails, 13 miles of cross-country skiing trails, an ice-skating area, and sledding and tobogganing areas.

Lehigh Gorge is a 4,548-acre park along the Lehigh River. This park offers Class III whitewater along a 24-mile section of the Lehigh River and minutes from downtown Hazleton. The whitewater is perfect for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing and traverses the scenic Lehigh River Gorge. More than 30 miles of abandoned railroad grade is available for hiking, biking, sightseeing, and photography. An additional 15 miles of trail are open to snowmobilers. The Lehigh River is also open for fishing.

In early 1994, Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis joined other state officials in dedicating the Raphael J. Musto Environmental Education and Visitor Center at Nescopeck State Park.

Named for Sen. Raphael J. Musto (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe), a long-time supporter of environmental education and the 3,500-acre park, the new center serves as the hub of park activities, housing environmental education programs, visitor services and staff offices.

“School children from surrounding counties, teacher groups and visitors from neighboring communities all will be drawn to this beautiful facility to learn more about the bounty of natural resources with which this state is blessed,” said Secretary DiBerardinis. “This gathering today to dedicate the Raphael J. Musto Environmental Education and Visitor Center is a fitting tribute to a true champion of Pennsylvania’s environment.”

For decades, the park has been open to the public, but lacked facilities. Base construction, including roads, parking lots, water and sanitary infrastructure, and utilities was completed in 2001. Officials broke ground in December 2002 for the $1.5 million center.

Nescopeck has forested areas, a variety of wetlands, a small lake and a high-quality trout stream.

Visitors enjoy hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, fishing and hunting.

Several other state parks, including three with large man-made lakes perfect for water skiing, boating, swimming, and fishing, are less than 30 minutes away.

The fishing in and around Greater Hazleton is an amazing and varied experience. Pennsylvania's lakes, rivers, and streams are home to numerous game fish species, both native and stocked. The commonwealth boasts more trout than any other state in the Northeastern U.S., and the Hazleton area has its share of Pennsylvania's bounty. Brook, brown, lake, rainbow, steelhead and palomino inhabit the clean, clear cold-water lakes and streams. Other game fish include smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskellunge, pickerel, and walleye, all of which are found in lakes and rivers across the region.
The Northeastern part of the Commonwealth is also a paradise for the sportsmen who like to hunt a variety of game in settings that resemble all types of habitat, from the farm areas of the Midwest to the wilds of Canada.

History buffs can spend a lifetime discovering the roots of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Moments away from Hazleton is Eckley Miners' Village. Built in 1854, Eckley was owned by anthracite coal companies for 115 years. The houses were never sold to the occupants, so few changes were ever made to them. Much of the original flavor of the houses has been retained for almost 150 years. Paramount, the major Hollywood studio, filmed the movie The Molly Maguires in Eckley. Now, the town is part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Anthracite Museum Complex, though several dozen residents still call Eckley home.

The Delaware and Lehigh Canal Heritage Park Corridor passes through Greater Hazleton. This coalition-based effort spanning five Eastern Pennsylvania counties traces the route of barges that transported coal from Northeastern Pennsylvania's anthracite mines to major cities along the East Coast. The 182-mile-long corridor includes the Lehigh River Gorge, Hickory Run State Park, and Jim Thorpe, a historic and picturesque Victorian town with plenty of shopping, outdoor activities, and a train excursion.

Another regional treasure is the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train in nearby Ashland. Visitors board electric mine cars and go deep inside a coal mine that operated until 1931. Inside, experienced miners act as guides and lead guests through a maze of coal veins, mine shafts, gangways, manways, and chutes to explain how anthracite coal is mined. Outside, a small steam locomotive takes passengers on a short trip along the side of a mountain.

An hour north of Hazleton is the Steamtown National Historic Site, the only national park that tells the story of steam railroading from 1850 through 1950. This 40-acre site includes a restored 1937 roundhouse, a 1902 roundhouse, visitors' center, theater, museum, and technology museum. There are machine and locomotive shops that allow this park to maintain and operate three historic steam locomotives, which take passengers on excursions during the summer.

Honesdale, about 75 minutes from downtown Hazleton, is considered the birthplace of the American railroad - and a great day trip for the family. In 1829, the first commercial locomotive on rails in the western hemisphere made its inaugural run near this quaint little town. The Stourbridge Line makes passenger excursions year-round, with fall foliage trips, special holiday-themed trips, and "unexpected" train robberies.

The recreational opportunities in our area continue all year long. Many trails allow for quiet walks in the woods or bike rides through the wilderness. Local lakes and streams are brimming with fish, and the woods are filled with wild game.

There are currently a number of efforts to preserve and protect natural resources by transforming unused areas into recreational sites. The Anthracite Scenic Trails Association and the Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership are doing this by using inactive railroad tracks through woodlands as historical landmarks and scenic trails for hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers.

Of course, your kind of trails might be the snow-covered kind. Greater Hazleton lies on the edge of the Pocono Mountains, the home of several great ski resorts. Closer to home, the Eagle Rock Golf and Ski Resort offers 12 slopes, each lighted for night skiing or snowboarding. The latest snowmaking equipment covers the ski area.

There are plenty of other ski areas throughout the region. These resorts offer a variety of winter fun, including snowmobiling and family snowtubing. Cross-country skiers simply head to a state park, or even into the woods around town, for a day in the wilderness.

Just a short drive north from Greater Hazleton are two minor-league sports teams that provide major-league excitement. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, the Philadelphia Phillies baseball top farm team, thrill thousands on many summer nights and afternoons. When the weather turns colder, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the top farm team of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, play hockey inside one of the newest and best arenas in the minor leagues, the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers arena football team also plays at the First Union Arena arena, as well. Arena football is a 15-year old sport that utilizes a 50-yard indoor field.

And let's not forget the NASCAR drivers who head to Pocono Raceway twice a year to compete in 500-mile stock car races.

Enthusiastic fans of this increasingly popular sport flock to the tri-oval track, which is an hour away from downtown Hazleton. Pocono Raceway also hosts other motorsports throughout the summer. Several professional driving schools let you get behind the wheel of a racecar and try out the tri-oval for yourself.

The smaller (but no less exciting) Mountain Speedway just north of Hazleton also gives racing fans something to cheer about. Amateur drivers can even get involved in local racing competitions at this local track.

If that type of hands-on high adrenaline adventure is for you, Greater Hazleton is surrounded by opportunities for extreme sports. Grab your camouflage and head into the woods for a spirited game of paintball. Slip into your wetsuit and go kayaking. Throw on a bathing suit and some sunscreen and jump in a whitewater raft. Put on a helmet, take your water bottle, and go mountain biking.

Not extreme enough for you? Okay, pack your parachute and go skydiving. The Hazleton Municipal Airport attracts hundreds of skydivers a year who want to take the ultimate plunge. That airport and others across Northeastern Pennsylvania offer recreational pilots a chance to take flight virtually anytime because they're just minutes away.

In the summer, aviation enthusiasts will enjoy the Armed Forces Air Show held at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. The show attracts hundreds of vintage planes and military demonstrations, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, and other top-notch acts.

Basketball and volleyball leagues provide competition for everyone, from children and teenagers to adults. Numerous challenging public golf courses attract players of all skill levels. Little League baseball, Babe Ruth, and the Greater Hazleton Area Youth Soccer League also give children a chance to develop their skills and interact with their peers - and give their parents a chance to cheer them on.

The nearby Drifton ASA Softball Complex showcases the finest regional and national competitors during tournaments that draw visitors from throughout the country.

In winter, Greater Hazleton doesn't hibernate. Our frozen ponds and hockey rinks attract skaters. Children grab their toboggans and head for one of many neighborhood sledding hills, while the more avid skiers and snowboarders make the short drive to nearby resorts for a fun day on our mountains. Fitness clubs keep the area in shape during winter, too.

Community Park in Hazle Township offers a relaxing outdoor atmosphere with pavilions, a pond for fishing, picnic areas, sports fields and courts, playgrounds, and walking and running trails. The Mount Laurel Pool features diving boards and water slides emptying into a crystal-blue pool.

Whispering Willows, a sprawling community park in Conyngham, has baseball fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, playground, and plenty of wide open space for everything from touch football to flying a kite.

Of course, Greater Hazleton has more than a few opportunities for golfing. From mini-golf to driving ranges to chip-and-putt to courses designed by Arnold Palmer, there are many choices for golfers of all ages and skill levels. Blue Ridge Trail Golf, The Eagle Rock Golf and Ski Resort, Edgewood in the Pines, Sand Springs Golf Club, Sugarloaf Golf Course and Valley Country Club are favorite golfing spots. There are also other country clubs, private and public resorts, and public courses. Conveniently located, each is unique, and all are beautiful.

And if you are looking for a some bowling action, many turn to Bowl Arena in West Hazleton, which features league tournaments and specialty nights.

If it's amusement you want, Greater Hazleton offers plenty of opportunities.

One of the top-rated amusement parks is just an hour away from Greater Hazleton. Knoebels Amusement Resort has roller coasters, a haunted house, bumper cars, and a vintage carousel — all rated in the top 10 of their respective categories — and many other rides and attractions. There are no entrance gates, making Knoebels the largest free admission park in the country. The park, which is constantly expanding, is a regular stop for the American Coaster Enthusiasts and two national carousel enthusiast groups. Knoebels also offers swimming and water slides, and campsites for folks who want to spend a few nights under the stars.

Dorney Park, about 75 minutes away, and Hersheypark, about 80 minutes away, make excellent day trips for families. Dorney Park has a Top 10-ranked roller coaster with a 200-foot first drop (the largest on the East Coast), a Peanuts-themed children's area, a 170-foot freefall ride, an award-winning water park, and many other rides.

Hersheypark, located in the chocolate capital of America, has several exciting roller coasters (some of them highly rated by enthusiast groups), bumper cars, a wildlife area, and dozens of other rides. This park was rated the #1 Family Fun Park by Family Fun Magazine in 1999, and the #3 destination in the country by Smart Money Magazine. Chocolate World, just outside the park's gates, provides free tours all year long and shows how those famous Hershey Kisses and other candy products are made.

Greater Hazleton offers more grown-up amusements, too.

For off-track wagering, The Downs at the Laurel Mall offers many betting opportunities on events around the world.

Just a couple hours away, the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean offer family fun, while the bright lights of Atlantic City's casinos attract everyone from day-trippers to high rollers. These venues also bring in top-flight entertainment and boxing matches.

Other Northeastern U.S. casinos, including Turning Stone Casino, Mohegan Sun, and Foxwoods, can be the perfect extended weekend trip.