HomePennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg › Thunder Swamp Trail Junction

Thunder Swamp Trail Junction

4.2 ★★★★☆ 70 Google reviews · Running trail in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
18.3 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Thunder Swamp Trail Junction'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.

Natural surface18.3 miLoopOpen 24hScenicTrailhead parking

What runners say about Thunder Swamp Trail Junction

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (70 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful place to camp but the hike is not for the little ones.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Trail is well marked, but has some of the most pointy and angled rocks you will ever catch a foot on.”

Like others have said it’s a pretty rugged trail with a lot of rocks. I tried to run it but had to hike it. At time of running (late July) not very buggy. Lots of cover and overall nice trail.

★★★★☆ — Joe , Jul 2022

This is for the southern thunder swamp parking area at 6 oclick on the thunder swamp trail loop. Backpacked to bushkill creek and camped. Trail is not steep but areas of broken rock make you pay attention for each step in some areas Trail winds through ferns and forest. Tent camping sites along bushkill creek.

★★★★☆ — William , Jul 2025

This is a crazy rocky trail (at least going west). 2.4 miles to the creek. Lots of downed trees and overgrowth. I love it, but its not for everybody. Trail is well marked, but has some of the most pointy and angled rocks you will ever catch a foot on. The creek area is beautiful.

★★★★★ — Ric , Jun 2020

Beautiful place to camp but the hike is not for the little ones. It’s a rough hike but overall it’s a beautiful place I’ll definitely come back in the fall when there are less bugs.

★★★★☆ — A , Jul 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 70 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 7 mentions

“This is a crazy rocky trail (at least going west).”

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🔁 Loop trail 6 mentions

“This is for the southern thunder swamp parking area at 6 oclick on the thunder swamp trail loop.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“We did a day hike here, very pleased with the parking area, trail markings and the the views were awesome!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“We did a day hike here, very pleased with the parking area, trail markings and the the views were awesome!”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 3 mentions

“This is a very long hiking trail about 15 to 20 miles long.”

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Plan your run at Thunder Swamp Trail Junction

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Loop distance18.3 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitekta-hike.org
  • Phone(570) 895-4000
  • 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

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Thunder Swamp Trail Junction

PA-402, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302

Get directions

Running trails near East Stroudsburg

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Bushkill Falls

4.6 ★★★★★ 10,260 reviews

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LoopBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Park with a 100-ft. waterfall plus trails, fishing, boating & other family-friendly activities.

4.5 miles away

McDade Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

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Crushed gravel

5.6 miles away

McDade Trail (Bushkill Access Trailhead)

4.6 ★★★★★ 34 reviews

Lehman Township, PA

ScenicDog-friendly

5.7 miles away

Marshalls Falls Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

East Stroudsburg, PA

MixedScenic

Kid-friendly park featuring a waterfall at the end of a paved hike amid steep trails and loose rocks.

7.3 miles away

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 6,795 reviews

Bushkill, PA

BoardwalkScenic

Vast forested preserve featuring hiking trails, campsites & water sports on the Delaware River.

7.7 miles away

Mt. Nebo Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 121 reviews

East Stroudsburg, PA

2 miScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful forest for picnics and picnics, plus marked hiking routes, some wildlife and a pond.

7.9 miles away

All running trails in East Stroudsburg, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.