Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe, PA
A Victorian mountain town of steep streets, Gothic-style churches and a restored railroad station in the Lehigh Gorge. Park once and walk uphill through the historic district; the scenic train rides are popular in autumn.
Jim Thorpe was called Mauch Chunk until 1954, a name from the Lenape language that means roughly "Bear Mountain." Josiah White founded the town in 1818 as a settlement for the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, and it became an important shipping point for anthracite coal. The Switchback Gravity Railroad of 1827 is considered one of the world's first roller coasters. In 1954 Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk merged and renamed themselves after the Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe, who never set foot in the town during his lifetime; he is buried there.
The town lies in the Pocono Mountains. Coal-era architecture shapes the downtown, such as the mansions along the main street known as Broadway. Park once and walk uphill through the old town; allow two to three hours. In nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park you can go rafting, hiking and mountain biking. It is especially crowded in fall.
- Nearest town
- Jim Thorpe, PA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 40.8751, -75.7324
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
_at_Fifth_Street_in_Jim_Thorpe,_Carbon_County,_Pennsylvania.jpg){kind=link}
Campsites nearby
- Don Laine CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Jim ThorpeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Lehigh Gorge CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Jim ThorpeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Chestnut Lake CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Jim ThorpeTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Silver Valley CampsitesCampsite19 mi from Jim ThorpeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Rosemount Camping ResortCampsite20 mi from Jim ThorpeTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Robin Hill CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Jim ThorpeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Pennsylvania · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Jim Thorpe?
Jim Thorpe is in Jim Thorpe, PA, at GPS 40.8751, -75.7324. It is about 39 mi from Bloomsburg.
Can you camp near Jim Thorpe?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Jim Thorpe Campground, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 37 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Jim Thorpe?
Places worth a stop nearby: Hickory Run Boulder Field (13 mi), Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (21 mi), Mount Tammany, Delaware Water Gap (32 mi) and Ricketts Glen State Park (43 mi).
When is the best time to visit Jim Thorpe?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)