A Day at Jacobsburg
Nestled in the rolling hills of Northampton County, Pennsylvania, the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, also known as Jacobsburg State Park, offers more than just a breath of fresh air. It’s a place where history, nature, and community meet…. Thank you ChatGPT, but I’ll take it from here.
PARK: Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center (Pennsylvania State Parks)
400 Belfast Rd
Nazareth, PA 18064
610-746-2801
PARK SCORE CARD
| PARKING & SAFETY | TRAIL CONDITIONS | RESTROOM ACCESS | POTA FRIENDLY | SUPRISES |
| Plenty of options, watch for pedestrians on busy days. | Lots of options, from simple walks to hazardous narrow hills. | Everything from hot running water to a hole in the ground in a shed. | Rangers are fans! Pavilions, benches, and open parking lots work well. | Something new to learn each time I go. |
Parking and Safety
The park has almost as many areas to park as there are trails. Yes, there are signs posted that your valuables should be out of sight, and the park is not responsible for theft, but the main lots aren’t at huge risk. There is a lot of foot traffic and friendly folks who deter the morally compromised from breaking glass and stealing like it’s San Francisco in broad daylight. If you are here for an introductory hike, stick with the main parking lot at the environmental center. If a remote area is more your thing, maybe leave the Acura NSX in the garage and the icom 7300 in the shack.
Trail Conditions
Wanna take a nice stroll after work to clear your head? Stop at Gate J3 at the corner of Jacobsburg Road and Fehr Road. The Homestead Trail (Blue Blazed) is a loop on a gradual hill. No bathrooms nearby. And there usually aren’t maps handy at Gate J3.
If you prefer something more scenic that runs along a stream, then goes up hill to feel more like a hike? Stop at parking lot B6 just adjacent to the Environmental Education Center. There are outdoor information kiosks, and the maps are usually well stocked. The Henrys Woods Trail makes a loop that will be enjoyable and challenging.
Restrooms
This is a state park, so no trying to match the bears in the woods. The good news is for those with a more delicate disposition that seek out the “Executive $#itter”, the Education Center has indoor flush bathrooms with hot water to wash your hands. The cleanliness is surprising for a park. The bathrooms on the Henry Woods Trail are single occupancy “flush” bathrooms but have a high frequency use rate. As you travel in the park you will find smaller “non-flush” bathroom options that are essentially an outhouse. Nothing challenges our constitution more than a hot, humid, buggy $h*t pit style outhouse. But when nature calls in nature, your options are limited.
POTA Options
For amateur radio operators, Jacobsburg is a gem in the POTA (Parks on the Air®) program. Identified as US-4358, the park offers several areas to activate depending on your comfort and capabilities. And the park is remarkably radio friendly. I’ve reached out, as I encourage everyone to do, and spoke to the park staff about if and where activations would be acceptable. They support the hobby but ask that radio enthusiasts avoid the educational spaces while they are in use such as the B7 lot. Check their website for upcoming educational sessions. The rangers not only encouraged the hobby but asked to be invited to join me during an activation to learn more about the hobby and my setup.
Several areas stand out for activations:
- Bring a guest: Lot B7 – directly across the street from the education center has covered pavilions with benches. Ideal for bringing a non-HAM to the park. They can walk around the Native Garden Footpath, visit the Education Center, and use the nicest bathrooms without adding the “are you done yet” pressure while you activate the park. The downsides are that the area is often used and it lacks elevation.
- EZ Activation: Lot B6 offers convenient parking, nearby bathrooms and tables, perfect for larger portable setups with heavier gear or just activating from your vehicle. If you walk past the restrooms there is another picnic area without pavilions. But a lot of visitors use this area for eating so it’s not ideal but would add some elevation if it’s during non-peak times.
- Hidden and High: Lot J3 at the corner of Jacobsburg Road and Fehr Road. If you are running a portable QRP lightweight setup I have a place for you. It’s not the only high spot at 640 feet, but it has the benefit of safe parking and lower foot traffic. Park at the parking lot, walk into the fields and turn right onto the Homestead Path. Follow the path as you slowly ascend a mild grade. As the trail makes a left corner you will find ample trees to throw a wire into. But your seating options are on the ground, or anything you carry in. If you go a little further along the path you will find a single bench in the middle of an open field overlooking the nearby Appalachian Mountains. If you have your own rigid antenna, this is the most convenient spot. I have activated both spots with great success running only 20 watts.
Each time I activated the site someone taking a leisurely stroll stopped to inquire about the setup. Everyone, without exception was kind and curious.
I was honored to make 15 quick contacts using my Xiegu G90 HF Radio running 20W at a recent activation on the Homestead Path. I was even able to connect with Luis EA4TL in Spain!
Hiking for All
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a gentle stroll, Jacobsburg offers 18 miles of trails suited to all levels. The Henrys Woods Trail is a favorite among locals and their dogs with a peaceful trek alongside a babbling creek that can quiet even the noisiest mind. For a more accessible walk, the Homestead Trail provides a level path perfect for wheelchairs or strollers.
Spending time in the woods, breathing in the earthy air, listening to the rustle of leaves, these are simple yet profound experiences that remind us to be present. Numerous studies support the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, and Jacobsburg delivers in every season.
Suprises
The park is rich with a storied history that can be found online at the Education Center, in-park Kiosks, and at the historical sites during special events.
Long before it became a state park, the land that makes up Jacobsburg played a significant role in Pennsylvania’s industrial history. In the mid-1700s, the Henry family established the Henry Gun Factory here, producing flintlock rifles that became a staple of early American frontier life. The Henrys not only contributed to American craftsmanship but also to the birth of a community rooted in resilience and innovation.
As time passed and the Industrial Revolution changed the landscape of production, this area began to shift from a place of manufacturing to one of preservation and education. In 1959, the land was designated as an Environmental Education Center, dedicated to teaching the public about conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources.
Leave No Trace
Whether you’re a hiker, a ham operator, or just passing through, we all share a responsibility to protect these lands. The Leave No Trace principles aren’t just guidelines; they’re a pledge to future generations. Pick up after yourself, stay on designated trails, respect wildlife, and leave what you find.
Preserving Jacobsburg isn’t just about protecting trees and trails, it’s about ensuring that everyone, years from now, can still come here to listen to the wind in the pines or call out to the world on HF.
Vist Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center on the web at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/jacobsburg-environmental-education-center.html
Time to Log Off and Find an Adventure
If you’re reading this on a phone or laptop, take this as your invitation to unplug. You don’t need a radio to enjoy Jacobsburg. All you need is a little curiosity and a willingness to step outside your usual routine. It is only a minute off of Route 33 and a great stop to decompress and unload the stress of the day before you go home.
So, pack your day bag, check your antenna, or just grab a friend and go. Your park adventure is waiting.
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a place to experience. And once you do, you’ll understand why people return again and again.