{{Short description|State park in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox park | name = Big Pocono State Park | image = Bigpocono.jpg | image_caption = [[Camelback Mountain Resort]] (site of Big Pocono State Park) from Mt. Spring Lake | image_alt = Lanscape | image_size = 280 | location = [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|41.04419|-75.36925|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="bpsp"/> | area = {{convert|1306|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="bpsp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1978|ft|m|abbr=on}} | established = 1954 | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = Named for | free_data = [[Camelback Mountain (Big Pocono)|Camelback Mountain]] | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Big Pocono State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Big Pocono State Park''' is a {{convert|1305.6|acre|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Jackson]] and [[Pocono Township, Pennsylvania|Pocono]] townships in [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania]] in [[Northeastern Pennsylvania]]. The park is located on [[Camelback Mountain (Big Pocono)|Camelback Mountain]] and is maintained jointly by the [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] and Camelback Ski Corporation.
From the summit of the mountain, one has a view of vast portions of eastern Pennsylvania as well as parts of [[New Jersey]] and [[New York (state)|New York]]. A paved drive, {{convert|1.4|mi}} in length, around the summit provides visitors with a view in all directions. Visitors can see the [[Delaware Water Gap]] from this location.
The park, except for [[Camelback Mountain Resort]], closes for the winter seven days following the end of [[deer]] season in December and reopens as conditions permit in the spring.
== History == [[File:Big Pocono State Park view south from Camelback Mountain.jpg|thumb|View south from Big Pocono State Park at Camelback Mountain]] The land on which Big Pocono State Park is situated was owned by Henry S. Cattell at the turn of the 20th century. Knowing of the fondness that others in the area shared with him for the view that the summit provided, Cattell constructed a stone cabin there in 1908. For many years the cabin was left unlocked so that anyone who wished to use it as a shelter, could.<ref name="bpsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/big-pocono-state-park |title=Big Pocono State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=December 16, 2025}}</ref>
The Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased the land in 1928, 12 years following the death of Cattell. In 1950, the state leased a portion of the land on the north slope for commercial development. The company was later renamed the Camelback Ski Corporation, and the facility is now a major [[ski resort]].<ref name="bpsp"/>
In 1953, the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (now the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) acquired {{convert|1306|acre}} of state game lands, which comprised the land that was purchased by the Game Commission, including the ski area lease, and the area immediately around the summit.<ref name="bpsp"/>
Big Pocono State Park opened to the public in 1954, following the construction of facilities and the scenic drive around the summit. The Cattell Cabin served as a park office and a nature museum for many years.<ref name="bpsp"/>
Although the museum no longer exists, the stone cabin still stands and is paramount only to the great views one can obtain by going to the different observation points provided by both DCNR and the Camelback Ski Corporation.<ref name="bpsp"/>
== Recreation == Big Pocono State Park offers a hiking trail system that consists of {{convert|7|mi}} of interconnecting trails. The trails are of varying terrain and grade, and park officials caution inexperienced hikers to inquire at the park office before attempting the steep and rocky North Trail.<ref name="bpsp"/>
In addition to the hiking trails, there is also a horseback riding trail ({{convert|3|mi}}). The trailhead is near the entrance of the park, on the west end.<ref name="bpsp"/>
Three picnic areas with a total of 50 tables are situated within the park. The picnic area adjacent to Cattell Cabin has tables in an open setting, and the east and south picnic areas are in a wooded setting.<ref name="bpsp"/> [[Image:Camelbackski1.jpg|thumb|Skiing on Camelback Mountain]] The [[Camelback Mountain Resort]], located on the north slope, boasts the largest [[skiing]], [[snowboarding]] and snowtubing facility in the [[Pocono Mountains]]. The facility has 33 trails, 13 lifts, two terrain parks, detachable quads, a [[halfpipe]], night skiing and 100% snowmaking. The ski area also operates the Cameltop restaurant, which is located near the summit and is open from [[Memorial Day]] to [[Columbus Day]]. In the summertime, a waterpark named [[Camelbeach]] is operated on the grounds of Camelback, and this can be seen from Big Pocono.<ref name="bpsp"/>
[[Hunting]] is permitted in designated areas of the park during hunting seasons.<ref name="bpsp"/>
==Climate==
According to the [[Trewartha climate classification]] system, Big Pocono State Park has a Temperate [[Continental climate]] (''Dc'') with warm summers (''b''), cold winters (''o'') and year-around precipitation (''Dcbo''). ''Dcbo'' climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ {{convert|32.0|°F|1}}, four to seven months with an average mean temperature ≥ {{convert|50.0|°F|1}}, all months with an average mean temperature < {{convert|72.0|°F|1}} and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are comfortably humid in Big Pocono State Park, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with [[heat index]] values > {{convert|93|°F|0}}. Since 1981, the highest air temperature was {{convert|95.8|°F|1}} on July 22, 2011, and the highest daily average mean [[dew point]] was {{convert|70.8|°F|1}} on January 8, 2006. July is the peak month for [[thunderstorm]] activity which correlates with the average warmest month of the year. The average wettest month is September which correlates with tropical storm remnants during the peak of the [[Atlantic hurricane season]]. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was {{convert|6.67|in|mm|0}} on September 30, 2010. During the winter months, the [[plant hardiness zone]] is 6a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of {{convert|-9.5|°F|1}}.<ref name="USDA">{{cite web |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]] |access-date=September 6, 2019 |title=USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618111217/https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was {{convert|-20.6|°F|1}} on January 21, 1994. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with [[wind chill]] values < {{convert|-22|°F|0}}. The average snowiest month is January which correlates with the average coldest month of the year. [[Ice storm]]s and large snowstorms depositing ≥ {{convert|12|in|cm|0}} of snow occur nearly every year, particularly during [[nor’easter]]s from December through March.
{{Weather box | width = auto | collapsed = yes | single line = Y |location = Big Pocono State Park, Elevation {{convert|1909|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}, 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1981-2018 | Jan record high F = 64.3 | Feb record high F = 73.9 | Mar record high F = 82.4 | Apr record high F = 89.2 | May record high F = 91.0 | Jun record high F = 90.6 | Jul record high F = 95.8 | Aug record high F = 94.2 | Sep record high F = 92.0 | Oct record high F = 84.1 | Nov record high F = 75.7 | Dec record high F = 67.9 | year record high F = 95.8 | Jan high F = 31.0 | Feb high F = 34.5 | Mar high F = 42.2 | Apr high F = 55.1 | May high F = 66.1 | Jun high F = 73.7 | Jul high F = 78.0 | Aug high F = 76.2 | Sep high F = 69.5 | Oct high F = 57.8 | Nov high F = 46.6 | Dec high F = 35.2 | year high F = 55.6 | Jan mean F = 22.7 | Feb mean F = 25.7 | Mar mean F = 32.8 | Apr mean F = 44.9 | May mean F = 55.6 | Jun mean F = 63.8 | Jul mean F = 68.3 | Aug mean F = 67.0 | Sep mean F = 60.1 | Oct mean F = 48.7 | Nov mean F = 38.7 | Dec mean F = 27.8 | year mean F = 46.4 | Jan low F = 14.4 | Feb low F = 16.9 | Mar low F = 23.5 | Apr low F = 34.8 | May low F = 45.1 | Jun low F = 53.9 | Jul low F = 58.7 | Aug low F = 57.7 | Sep low F = 50.7 | Oct low F = 39.6 | Nov low F = 30.9 | Dec low F = 20.4 | year low F = 37.3 | Jan record low F = -20.6 | Feb record low F = -11.3 | Mar record low F = -3.6 | Apr record low F = 11.8 | May record low F = 28.3 | Jun record low F = 34.0 | Jul record low F = 39.5 | Aug record low F = 35.5 | Sep record low F = 29.1 | Oct record low F = 18.0 | Nov record low F = 1.5 | Dec record low F = -12.0 | year record low F = -20.6 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 3.95 | Feb precipitation inch = 3.34 | Mar precipitation inch = 3.96 | Apr precipitation inch = 4.67 | May precipitation inch = 4.79 | Jun precipitation inch = 5.25 | Jul precipitation inch = 4.44 | Aug precipitation inch = 4.50 | Sep precipitation inch = 5.47 | Oct precipitation inch = 5.27 | Nov precipitation inch = 4.44 | Dec precipitation inch = 4.51 | year precipitation inch = 54.59 | Jan snow inch = 19.8 | Feb snow inch = 14.2 | Mar snow inch = 14.8 | Apr snow inch = 3.5 | May snow inch = 0.0 | Jun snow inch = 0.0 | Jul snow inch = 0.0 | Aug snow inch = 0.0 | Sep snow inch = 0.0 | Oct snow inch = 0.1 | Nov snow inch = 3.7 | Dec snow inch = 11.9 | year snow inch = 68.2 | humidity colour = green | Jan humidity = 72.5 | Feb humidity = 67.7 | Mar humidity = 64.4 | Apr humidity = 61.6 | May humidity = 64.2 | Jun humidity = 73.3 | Jul humidity = 73.2 | Aug humidity = 76.3 | Sep humidity = 77.1 | Oct humidity = 74.3 | Nov humidity = 73.0 | Dec humidity = 75.0 | year humidity = 71.1 | Jan dew point F = 15.2 | Feb dew point F = 16.5 | Mar dew point F = 22.1 | Apr dew point F = 32.5 | May dew point F = 43.7 | Jun dew point F = 55.1 | Jul dew point F = 59.4 | Aug dew point F = 59.3 | Sep dew point F = 52.9 | Oct dew point F = 40.9 | Nov dew point F = 30.8 | Dec dew point F = 20.9 | year dew point F = 37.5 | source = PRISM<ref name=prism>{{cite web |url=http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ |title=PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University |access-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref>}}
==Ecology== According to the [[A. W. Kuchler]] U.S. [[potential natural vegetation]] types, Big Pocono State Park would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern [[Hardwood]] (''106'') with a dominant vegetation form of [[Northern hardwood forest]] (''26'').<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute">{{cite web |url=https://databasin.org/datasets/1c7a301c8e6843f2b4fe63fdb3a9fe39 |access-date=September 6, 2019 |title=U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)}}</ref> The peak spring bloom typically occurs in early-May and peak fall color usually occurs in early-October. The [[plant hardiness zone]] is 6a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of {{convert|-9.5|°F|1}}.<ref name="USDA" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Big Pocono State Park}} {{Portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/big-pocono-state-park Big Pocono State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web |url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004983.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620064952/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004983.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 20, 2013 |title=Big Pocono State Park official map}} {{small|(498 KB)}}
{{Pocono Mountains}} {{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Pocono Mountains]] [[Category:Parks in Monroe County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Monroe County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1954]] [[Category:1954 establishments in Pennsylvania]]