Dorney Park?

[Nevergrow'nup]

Here I am just back from one vacation and already planning another But summer's coming and due to gas prices we are not driving so far. I'm looking for info about Dorney Park and the surrounding area. We, DH, me DS13 and DS16 will be going. We'll be camping. Are there any good bike trails in the area? Not sure for how long but any where from 6-10 days. Any info will be graciously accepted

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

 

[damo]

Wish I could help. We are going to be visiting Dorney for a day in August and staying at the Staybridge Suites. It sounds like a great Cedar Fair Park!!!

 

[makinorlando]

I lived 30 min from Dorney Park most of my life and never went there!!!


Anyway, not too far Allentown, is Reading (great outlet shopping), but there is beautiful park area called Blue Marsh Lake. It was built by the Army Corp of Engineers. They have a bike trail that I have heard is great, but I have never been on it. My mother belongs to a camping organization that has spent Earth Day weekend there every year for over 25 years doing park beautification projects along with the park rangers. The lake is beautiful, great for boating, they have a beach (not sure what that is like -I have not been since 2002)

I found this link with some reviews. http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-pennsylvania/trail/PRD_169922_4573crx.aspx

Here is some other information - http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=BGN088-076

Once you are in the Allentown area - Phila and Valley Forge are not too much further. http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=BGN086-008 Biking in Valley Forge is great.

 

[SillyMe]

Not that I'm aware of. The only trails close by that I know of are small ones. The Rose Garden and Muhlenberg Park are close-by. I imagine you can ride your bikes there, but it's not that big. They are nice parks to walk through, though.

If you want to go camping, you might want to check out www.knoebels.com instead of Dorney Park. Knoebel's is more of an old-time amusement park (cheaper, too), but if you really enjoy camping, it's alot of fun!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I've been to Dorney and enjoyed it. DH keeps talking about going to Jim Thorpe which isn't too far. I've never been there but you might check it out.

 

[SillyMe]

I've been to Dorney and enjoyed it. DH keeps talking about going to Jim Thorpe which isn't too far. I've never been there but you might check it out.

It would be nice to visit Jim Thorpe in the fall when the leaves are turning colors. You can take the train ride and the mountains are beautiful.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Not that I'm aware of. The only trails close by that I know of are small ones. The Rose Garden and Muhlenberg Park are close-by. I imagine you can ride your bikes there, but it's not that big. They are nice parks to walk through, though.

If you want to go camping, you might want to check out www.knoebels.com instead of Dorney Park. Knoebel's is more of an old-time amusement park (cheaper, too), but if you really enjoy camping, it's alot of fun!

You are non existant in my eyes now

 

[makinorlando]

If you want to go camping, you might want to check out www.knoebels.com instead of Dorney Park. Knoebel's is more of an old-time amusement park (cheaper, too), but if you really enjoy camping, it's alot of fun!

I was trying to think of that name when I was posting and it would not come to me!

 

[SillyMe]

I was trying to think of that name when I was posting and it would not come to me!

Shhh, just don't tell anyone else about it. I just got sent to the corner for mentioning it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We went to Dorney Park almost 3 years ago and really enjoyed it. At the time my kids were 3, 9, 12, and 15yo and we all had a good time. We especially liked the interactive water area and spent lots of time there. I liked using the big water squirters to squirt unsuspecting people.

 

[GraysMom]

We actually live about 15 min from Dorney and we are avid bikers, so I can probably answer a lot of questions you might have. As far as bike paths go, what kind of riding are you looking for (flat gravel path, paved, mountain biking, etc)? There are many trails in the area, so just let me know what you are looking for and I can offer some suggestions. I'm not sure about campgrounds in the area, but I can check if you would like-just let me know. When are you planning on visiting the Lehigh Valley? You might also google lehigh valley visitor/convention bureau for more info. There is a huge music festival in August ( www.musikfest.org ) with all kids of food and music to enjoy.
I agree that Knoebels ( www.knoebels.com ) is a great park and they have camping next to the park (tent, RV, cabins and TEEPEES ) as well as another campground about 10 min from the park (I believe they offer a free shuttle to the park) that is also owned by Knoebels. Knoebels is a great park (free admission, free parking, you can bring your own food and use their picnic tables) with VERY reasonable prices. They also have a large pool and waterslides to keep cool. The food is great (they've won many theme park food awards) and their is lots of shade throughout. I'd say Knoebels is probably about 2 hours from Dorney if you wanted to split your stay between the two. There really isn't much to do near Knoebels, so I couldn't see spending 6 to 10 days there (although there is some biking around there as well-it's just mainly mountain biking). Let me know if you have any questions about Knoebels as well, I worked there during college and still go back frequently.

GraysMom

 

[SillyMe]

We actually live about 15 min from Dorney and we are avid bikers, so I can probably answer a lot of questions you might have. As far as bike paths go, what kind of riding are you looking for (flat gravel path, paved, mountain biking, etc)? There are many trails in the area, so just let me know what you are looking for and I can offer some suggestions. I'm not sure about campgrounds in the area, but I can check if you would like-just let me know. When are you planning on visiting the Lehigh Valley? You might also google lehigh valley visitor/convention bureau for more info. There is a huge music festival in August ( www.musikfest.org ) with all kids of food and music to enjoy.
I agree that Knoebels ( www.knoebels.com ) is a great park and they have camping next to the park (tent, RV, cabins and TEEPEES ) as well as another campground about 10 min from the park (I believe they offer a free shuttle to the park) that is also owned by Knoebels. Knoebels is a great park (free admission, free parking, you can bring your own food and use their picnic tables) with VERY reasonable prices. They also have a large pool and waterslides to keep cool. The food is great (they've won many theme park food awards) and their is lots of shade throughout. I'd say Knoebels is probably about 2 hours from Dorney if you wanted to split your stay between the two. There really isn't much to do near Knoebels, so I couldn't see spending 6 to 10 days there (although there is some biking around there as well-it's just mainly mountain biking). Let me know if you have any questions about Knoebels as well, I worked there during college and still go back frequently.

GraysMom

Well here I was feeling all proud that I could help and had some knowledge, then you came along.

 

[Tracey1974]

Musikfest is awesome and there are quite a few well-known acts this year. Dh does a lot of biking at Jacobsburg Park which is about 1/2 hour east of Allentown/Dorney. You can also take a day trip to Philly, Hershey, Sesame Place, go canoeing or rafting in the Delaware, head over to the Crayola factory in Easton- just google lehigh valley, pa and there should be a ton of info.

Have fun and welcome to our Lehigh Valley!

 

[GraysMom]

Well here I was feeling all proud that I could help and had some knowledge, then you came along.

Sorry SillyMe I LOVE Knoebels and finally found something I could contribute to.

GraysMom

 

[hentob]

http://www.augustinesinns.com

Here is a place to stay while at Knoebels. It is not a campsite, but an actual cottage. You can see and smell (not a WDW smell, but a beautiful smell nonetheless) Knoebels.

Fun, Food and Fantasy

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

I went out for a few hours and came home to so much information!! This DIS board ROCKS!!
Now to answers questions, etc. For biking riding, nothing up or down mountains. I saw some scary fast downhill bikeriding paths, my DH, DS's would love but for me We're (I'm) looking for some nice paths with scenery. DH remembers some along a canal with locks?? Not sure if it is in PA.

We have done Hershey, Crayola Factory and Sesame place, loved them all but are looking to try something new. I have ordered the travel guide for Lehigh Valley. I found some info on factory tours of the Mack Truck place, a coal mine and 2 guitar factories. We have heard about Knoebels and may take the trip over.
Another place the kids are looking for are go-cart tracks or racetracks. We are looking to go around June 23-maybe July 4th. We're hoping that It won't be so crazy before the holiday weekend.

Thanks again for all the info, I have a lot of stuff to look at!!

 

[SillyMe]

Sorry SillyMe I LOVE Knoebels and finally found something I could contribute to.

GraysMom

I hope you know I was just kidding. I'm in a silly mood.

 

[GraysMom]

I hope you know I was just kidding. I'm in a silly mood.

I know, I'm a little sleep deprived and silly myself right now .

GraysMom

 

[GraysMom]

For biking riding, nothing up or down mountains. I saw some scary fast downhill bikeriding paths, my DH, DS's would love but for me We're (I'm) looking for some nice paths with scenery. DH remembers some along a canal with locks?? Not sure if it is in PA.

The path along the canal with the locks is the Lehigh Canal Path (starts in Bethlehem at Sand Island-talk to Steve at SauconValleyBikes.com) which joins with the Delaware Canal Path (at the Crayola Factory)-Sand Island is about 20 min from Dorney. About 45 min from Dorney is the Lehigh Gorge Trail in Jim Thorpe-very flat 26 mile path with lots of nice scenery and shuttle service is available for a fee (look for Blue Mtn Sports if you'd like more info). If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you can hook up with several local clubs for evening and weekend rides (email my DH at dan@rsdmag.com for info). You might also want to check out Friday night bike racing at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome ( www.lvvelo.org ) which is pretty cool too. HTH

GraysMom