The Moore Township Appalachian Park is located at the base of Blue Mountain on Skunk Road near Smith Gap Road. There are 168 acres of parkland for passive recreation, hiking and hunting. The undeveloped park is geared toward hiking and bird watching. There are no picnic tables or bathroom facilities.
The park is overseen by volunteers known as the Park Commission which is adjacent to State Game Lands #168 and located south down the mountain from the Appalachian Trail. There are several well marked trails to hike with rectangular colored markers located on the trees. The trails mostly follow what looks like narrow rocky creek beds. The trails interconnect forming a loop through the wooded area for about a mile long hike.
The front of the park is heavily wooded, rocky and fairly flat terrain leading into a steep grade rising from 900 to 1,400 feet elevation toward the mountain. Waterproof hiking shoes are best for the rocky and moist conditions. Water flows down Blue Mountain forming the headwaters of the Bushkill Creek. Woodpeckers and crows can both be seen and heard in the woods. Turkey vultures, hawks and other songbirds can also be spotted.
Hunting and trapping are allowed between September 15 and January 21, except on Sundays in accordance with the Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations. This schedule permits hunting from bow and arrow season for deer to extended grouse season but still allows hikers and horseback riders to use the park safely. Remember to wear orange clothing if you visit the park during this time period. Trappers and campers are required to register at the township office located at 2491 Community Drive.
Reached from Route 512 in Bath, turn left onto Route 248, take the first right onto Route 987 (N. Chestnut Street which becomes Monocacy Drive) for 3.6 miles. Continue straight on Mountain View Drive (PA 946) – go 0.3 miles. Turn right on Point Phillips Road– go 1.6 miles and bear right on E. Scenic Drive – go 0.1 miles. Continue on Smith Gap Road – go 0.2 miles. Continue straight on Millheim Road – go 0.5 miles. Bear right on E. Millheim Road – go 0.4 miles. Turn left on Copella Road – go 0.1 miles, continue straight on Skunk Road, the road bends, up ahead there will be a small parking lot on the right.
To reach the Appalachian Trail; when leaving turn right from the parking lot until you reach Smith Gap Road. Turn right and head up the mountain to the summit.
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