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McDade Recreational Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 72 Google reviews · Running trail in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from McDade Recreational Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Long trail for biking and hiking, plus a section with stairs that only allows walking.
What runners say about McDade Recreational Trail
“It was clean, easy access to parking, there’s just an entrance fee that’s all.”
“Scenic ride mostly flat with a few moderate hills.”
Great trail for bike riding with the following caveat. The Hialeah to Smithfield section (see attached photo) is NOT easy. We stopped at the Visitor Center to get this map/guidebook and get a recommendation on which section we could bike with the kids...
Very nice and well-kept trail. Gets a little busy during summer. Depending on what part of the trail you're on there's easy access to the Delaware River. Obviously you're in their territory but I've never run into so many bear as I have this year. I would carry some form of repellent or protection.
Superior trail in the Poconos. Close enough to Route 80 for people to approach directly. 20 minutes from Route 80 exit in Bushkill. Public Beach, trails, rentable bikes. Cash for entry fee and bikes. Locals can by an annual pass for $45.00 (2018). Flat trail and easy on the feet. Over 30 miles available one way!
Great trail for a gravel bike! Better than the flat rail to trail bike paths. Scenic ride mostly flat with a few moderate hills. Two tough hills before the large parking area. Several little bridges makes it fun. Definitely will be back.
Trail conditions & character
“It was clean, easy access to parking, there’s just an entrance fee that’s all.”
“walked north starting at Smithfield beach, it is very good trail for people starting out very easy with no hills”
“The gravel on much of this section was mostly larger which posed an additional challenge for a hybrid bike rider and was still challenging on a MTB.”
“walked north starting at Smithfield beach, it is very good trail for people starting out very easy with no hills”
“Goes past a river beach, waterfall access, and lots of boating places.”
“Where I started there were restrooms, plenty of parking and a boat launch area.”
Plan your run at McDade Recreational Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenps.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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