Effort, PA: Recreation Centers

There are several interesting recreation centers inside and near Effort PA that’ll make your time worthwhile. While this unincorporated community in Monroe County is small, it makes up for the lack of area with very fun experiences and landmarks.

1. Beltzville State Park – Situated about ten miles from Effort, Beltzville State Park is a state park that covers roughly 3,000 acres. It is found in the townships of Franklin and Towamensing. The park was opened in 1972 when it was developed in the premises of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control project called the Beltzville Dam. If you are in or near Effort PA 18330, you can easily visit the park and enjoy activities like fishing and hunting. As a matter of fact, the Beltzville Lake is a popular fishing spot for the residents of Carbon and Monroe counties. Some of the abundant fish species include the trout, striped bass, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and walleye. Aside from fishing, the park also allows hunting but with permits of course. The Pennsylvania Game Commission regulates the hunting activities in the area. The abundant game specifies found in this area are rabbits, waterfowl, pheasants, ruffed grouse, and squirrels. And from May to September, the swimming beach is opened for access to the public. There are several hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions.

2. Big Pocono State Park – Based on proximity, the Big Pocono State Park is actually closer to Effort. If you wish to go there, it’s just 8 miles of road travel. It is also relatively smaller but there are numerous activities to look forward to. The park is found on the Camelback Mountain managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and the Natural Resources, together with the Camelback Ski Corporation. The main attraction of this recreation center is hiking. The trail system is about seven miles long. But what makes it unique is the existence of interconnecting trails which provide more fun and challenges for hiking enthusiasts, especially with a terrain that’s steep and rocky. Other than the hiking trails, other park amenities include three picnic areas, interesting wooded settings, and a horseback riding trail. Some areas are saved for hunting during the hunting season.

3. Barley Creek Brewing – Located about 10 miles from Effort, a good place to have a unique form of recreation is the Barely Creek Brewing Company. It is regarded as the original brewpub in the Pocono Mountains. The place is obviously famous because of its beer. A visit to this recreation center also means enjoying a tour of the brew house highlighted by the grist mill and the ten-barrel Peter Austin brew house. You also see three large fermentation tanks and cask conditioning brews. You can even have a taste of their collection that includes cocktails, wine, specialty drinks, and others.