Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
Also known as Jacobsburg State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- pa.gov(610) 746-2801
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center is a 2,329-acre park unit in Northampton County, about 3 miles north of Nazareth.
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. Its trail network totals roughly 19 miles, according to the park.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
| Mon–Fri | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The center office is open 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Contact the center office for facility seasons and hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Aspira), Pennsylvania State Parks contract
- Phone
- 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
HikingFishingHuntingHorseback ridingBikingMountain bikingWinter sportsCross-country skiingPicnicking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bushkill Township Trail | 0.36 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended Trailhead amenities: none The Bushkill Township Trail briefly connects with Jacobsburg EE Center and runs north from Belfast Road to Rt. 512 in Wind Gap. This section is part of the larger Lehigh Valley Trail Network called THE LINK, and will eventually continue north to the Appalachian Trail, and South out of Jacobsburg to Easton as part of the Two Rivers Trail.HikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing recommendedSnowshoeing recommended |
| Explorer Trail | 1.22 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian Trailhead amenities: none The Explorer Trail is a single track dirt trail that runs over the hilltop and connects to the Sobers Run Loop trail in two locations.HikingMountain bikingEquestrian |
| Henry Woods Trail | 1.9 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, benches This is the most popular trail at Jacobsburg. The trail takes hikers through remnant old growth forest along the Bushkill creek. Half the loop is easy and wide, the second half of the loop is narrow along a steep slope and brings hikers above the Bushkill Creek.Hiking |
| Homestead Trail | 4.77 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water Homestead Trail is a series of interconnected loops accessible from a number of trailhead/parking locations. The trail is primarily wide with rolling hills and is highlighted by the warm season grass and wildflower fields. Restrooms, and drinking water available only at the visitor center trailhead.HikingMountain bikingEquestrianCross-country skiing recommended |
| Jacobsburg Trail | 3.3 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water This trail of interconnected loops brings visitors through secondary forest and connects Henry's Woods to the remains of the village of Jacobsburg off of State Park Road. Trailheads at State Park Road, the Main parking lot on Belfast Rd, and at the Boulton parking lot on Henry Rd.HikingMountain bikingEquestrianCross-country skiing recommended |
| Sobers Run Connector Trail | 0.92 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian Trailhead amenities: none The Sobers Run Connector trail connects the Jacobsburg Loop Trails to the Sobers Run section of the Park. It can be accessed from the State Park Road parking lot and the Old Office Parking Lot. The trail features some steep rugged slopes, and a vernal pool which provides the sounds of frogs in early spring.HikingMountain bikingEquestrian |
| Sobers Run Loop Trails | 3.81 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms This a series of interconnected loop trails which can be accessed from multiple trailheads including the equestrian parking area which hosts a non-flush restroom. A one mile portion of this trail runs along an old rail bed and is flat and easy. Another portion of the trail runs along the sobers run creek and features a water crossing for horses connecting to the Sobers Run Trail.HikingMountain bikingEquestrian |
| Sobers Run Trail | 2.27 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended Trailhead amenities: none The Sobers Run Trail is primarily single tract that runs along the north side of the Sobers Run. It can serve as a looping trail, but can be used to connect to the Sobers Run Loop Trail. Not recommended for strollers, and actively used by Mtn. Bikes and Equestrians.HikingMountain bikingEquestrianCross-country skiing recommendedSnowshoeing recommended |
Trail descriptions from the park
19 miles of trails
The network of trails makes the center’s fields, woodlands, and streams accessible to both students and the casual visitor. Non-hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center Map
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Henry's Forge Pavilion
A pavilion in the Henrys Forge area accommodates up to 65 people and is available on a first-come, first-served basis, or can be reserved by contacting the center office.
Sobers Run Loop Trails
3.81 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms
This a series of interconnected loop trails which can be accessed from multiple trailheads including the equestrian parking area which hosts a non-flush restroom. A one mile portion of this trail runs along an old rail bed and is flat and easy.
The best parking to access the ADA portion of the Sobers Run Trail is on the map.
Bird Feeders and Viewing Area in Visitors Center - upstairs indoors, accessible by elevator.
An outdoor, ADA accessible bird blind is located at the first map.
GPS DD: 40.785018,-75.292261
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 400 Belfast Road
Nazareth, PA 18064 - Nearest town
- Nazareth — about 3 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.7840, -75.2936
- Phone
- (610) 746-2801
- jacobsburgsp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
At the foot of Blue Mountain in Northampton County, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center is reached from PA 33 at the Belfast Exit, near Nazareth, PA. GPS DD: Lat. 40.784 Long. -75.2936
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 3, 2026
- DCNR Find a Park: content-fragment JSON feed used by the pa.gov park finder
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology