Penn Haven

Once a bustling coal industry hub, the small borough of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, experienced the rumble of a hundred trains daily. Today, the town’s pioneering spirit has been reignited by a project repurposing the old railroad connection that delivered Carbon County coal worldwide into a 5-mile trail to deliver nature seekers to the outdoors.

Trust for Public Land and the community of Weatherly, guided by a commitment to revitalize its economy and provide residents with access to nature, have teamed up to make this transformation possible. Together, we’re creating a 5-mile trail from Weatherly to the renowned Lehigh Gorge State Park, where the Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) Trail intersects at the historic Penn Haven Junction. The multiuse trail will meander through Penn Haven’s captivating landscape, revealing a breathtaking vista of the Lehigh Gorge, before descending to the inviting embrace of quiet forests and babbling streams.

The benefits ripple outward, enriching lives in Weatherly and beyond. With nearly 2,500 residents residing in Weatherly, the new trail will serve as a gateway to adventure lying just beyond their sidewalks and roads. Visitors will be drawn to the promise of hiking, biking, birding, and fishing along Black Creek, which flows through the property.

Penn Haven is more than a trail—it’s a sanctuary for wildlife and an emblem of conservation. The woodlands, a blend of evergreens and deciduous trees, provide a haven for birds and diverse ecosystems. Notably, this project doesn’t exist in isolation: It’s a puzzle piece in a broader preservation initiative, stretching to connect with over 17,000 acres of State Game Land 141 and 7,400 acres of Lehigh Gorge State Park.

In spring 2025, Trust for Public Land transferred ownership of Penn Haven to the state’s Bureau of Forestry. The land is now part of Weiser State Forest, where it will connect visitors and residents to the outdoors for years to come.