While staying at Oak Grove RV Park in Hatfield, PA, we were close to more than just Philadelphia. Valley Forge National Park was a short drive away.

If you missed our adventures in Philadelphia, click here for that post.

Valley Forge National Park

Entrance into Valley Forge is free and you can even ride your bike or walk around the park. To truly get the full experience, however, we recommend purchasing tickets for the guided trolley tour. Get all the details on times/prices here.

The living quarters

Not only did soldiers live in these cabins, but their families did as well!

General Washington’s Headquarters

As part of the tour we went to the Isaac Potts House which became General Washington’s Headquarters. Mr. Potts’ niece was living in the home at the time and rented it and the furnishings to General Washington. Most of the home, built in 1773, is original. Members of his family and staff also stayed there.

We loved this tour. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and as we stood in different areas, she described the harsh conditions the soldiers and their families endured. It was so easy for us to imagine the hardships they had to deal with.

The Town of Jim Thorpe

Located about an hour north of where we stayed and in the Pocono Mountains is the town of Jim Thorpe. Yes, this is that Jim Thorpe. The town was founded in 1818 as Mauch Chunk, but was later renamed for it’s most famous resident.

Here you’ll find Victorian mansions once owned by industrialist millionaires that are now home to shops, restaurants, bed & breakfasts, and museums. There is also a train station where you can catch a ride on a train through the Lehigh Gorge.

Lehigh Gorge Trail

Of course we love nothing more than to find a bike trail along a beautiful scenic river! The Lehigh Gorge Trail did not disappoint. With waterfalls, river views, and the trail winding through the canopy of trees, this is a lovely trail to ride, especially in the summer. We also think this would be a beautiful ride in the fall.

Whether you want to ride part of the 25-mile trail out and back like we did or you want to hop on a shuttle from the Jim Thorpe Bike Shop to only do the trail one way, this is one scenic ride.

Conclusion

Whether you’re making your way to Philadelphia, checking out Valley Forge, or going for a beautiful ride in the Poconos, this area has a lot to offer.

We’re Mike & Jennifer Skinnell, and together we are The Rambling Quilter. We travel the country full-time in our 41ft. fifth-wheel pulled by our F-350 – affectionately named Beauty & The Beast. Jennifer writes our blog, travel articles, contemporary romance, cozy mysteries, and “Don’t Wait – Our Full-Time Journey Through Breast Cancer”. Our blog is purely for information and entertainment purposes. However, if you’d like to support Jennifer’s writing career, her author link to her books is below.