Little Lehigh Parkway | Allentown

Little Lehigh Parkway: an immersive guide to Allentown’s green ribbon

Setting and layout

Stretching nearly three miles from 24th Street to the confluence with Jordan Creek, the Parkway threads along the Little Lehigh River in a narrow, wooded corridor of more than 450 acres. A one-way scenic drive parallels the water, while a crushed‐stone multi-use trail loops beside it; unpaved spurs climb the bluffs to meadows and trout-nursery ponds. The landscape blends mature sycamores, hemlocks, and flood-plain wildflowers with open vistas of rolling grass.

Trails

Main loop – Five-mile figure eight created by the bridle path on the south bank and the wider tar-and-chip route on the north; ideal for runners and cyclists.

Bogert’s Bridge spur – Crosses a 145-foot covered bridge built in 1841, the oldest in Lehigh County. Traffic-free since 1957, it is a favorite photo stop.

Robin Hood Dell trail – A quiet 0.7-mile detour that hugs a limestone bluff, popular for spring trillium blooms and fall foliage.

Water features and fishing

The Little Lehigh is a state-designated Trophy Trout water. Wild brown trout mingle with hatchery fish from the adjacent state nursery; catch-and-release, single-hook artificial-lure rules apply for the central stretch. Angler platforms and finger docks, spaced every 200 yards, make wading optional. During summer heat, shaded pools beneath sycamore roots draw experienced fly casters dawn and dusk.

Recreation facilities

Disc-golf course – An eighteen-hole, par-58 layout winds through mature woods; fairways demand low, accurate drives under dense canopy.

Equestrian path – A separate, softer track runs the full length of the park; trailer parking is available at the Fish Hatchery Road lot.

Picnic groves – Three reservable groves (Ott Street, South Fish Hatchery, and Devonshire) with charcoal grills, potable water, and vault toilets.

Play meadow – A broad, gently sloped lawn at the Parkway’s midpoint accommodates kite flyers, pickup soccer, and outdoor yoga classes.

Historic landmarks

Fish Hatchery – Established 1883, still breeds rainbow and brown trout; interpretive signs explain raceway design and spawning cycles.

Museum of Indian Culture – Occupies a nineteenth-century stone farmhouse beside the creek; exhibits Lenape artifacts and hosts annual powwows.

Bogert’s Bridge – Red-sided Burr-arch truss with cedar-shake roof; interior still shows wagon-wheel grooves in original white-oak planks.

Events and programs

Early May: Parkway Classic 10-K road race, a loop that follows both banks.
July: “Tunes along the Towpath,” free Thursday evening concerts on the Robin Hood lawn.
October: Covered Bridge 5-K cross-country meet for regional high-school teams, starting at the Fish Hatchery pavilion.
December: Winter Lights Drive, a two-mile slow roll through themed LED displays, fundraising for local charities.

Wildlife and ecology

Look for great blue herons stalking riffles, red-shouldered hawks circling meadows, and river otter prints near the mudbars east of Bogert’s Bridge. Spring brings ephemeral wildflowers—bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, and bluebells—while autumn showcases sugar-maple reds against evergreens. Restoration projects have planted riparian buffers of silky dogwood and black willow to curb erosion and cool the water.

Practical tips

Parking lots fill quickly on weekend mornings; arrive before 9 a.m. or use side-street access at Lehigh Parkway South. Creekside trails can flood after heavy rain—check city alerts. Portable restrooms sit at each major lot; year-round flush facilities are only at the Hatchery. Dogs must stay leashed, and cyclists should yield to horses on shared crossings. Bring insect repellent in late June; blackflies peak at dusk near riffles. Winter plowing keeps the scenic drive open, but interior paths may glaze with ice—micro-spikes recommended for runners.

Insider touches

Pause on the footbridge just upstream of the Hatchery raceways to watch brook trout rise at sunset. In late April, a chorus of spring peepers echoes from the wet meadow behind the Museum of Indian Culture—stand quietly at twilight for the full stereo effect. On calm October mornings, low fog hugs the river bends, offering photographers postcard compositions of Bogert’s Bridge mirrored in still water.