Gold Key Lake
The Sparkle Hut is located right on Gold Key Lake, a beautiful, natural 122 acre lake.
Boating - We have a dock at the house, and there are plenty of boats. There is a kayak, 2 canoes and a rowboat, as well as two children's kayaks for your use. We have life jackets for everyone. If you want other boats, there are paddleboats and sunfish sailboats as well as more rowboats and kayaks at the beach for your use during the summer season. All you have to do is give the "boat tender" (a lifeguard sitting to the side near the lifejackets) your beach pass, and you can take out any of those boats.
Fishing - You can fish in the lake. We have a few poles at the house. You will need a valid PA fishing license, if you are 16 and over. You can get a PA license as a 1 day, 3 day or 7 day tourist. They sell them at Flair Hardware or Walmart. They sell bait at Flair or Ray and Charles, but we also have some artifical lures in the tackle box near the fishing poles.
Swimming - You can swim from the dock at the house. You can also walk to the beach - it is just down the street, a 2 minute walk from the house. We have 8 guest passes at the house, bring them with you to the beach. The beach has lifeguards, and is open hours vary - during the summer. There are docks to jump off of, and a very shallow area for little ones. There is also a water trampoline to play on. You need to pass a "swim test" first, talk to a lifeguard. They only allow a few people on the trampoline at a time, and the trampoline opens various time during the day - ask at the beach. You need to pass the test, and then get your name on the list, so you can have your turn on the trampoline. You will need to wear your lifevest while on the trampoline, bring one from the house, or they have them for your use at the beach. We have a few beach chairs at the house and a beach blanket for your use. There are grills and picnic tables at the beach if you want to bring a picnic lunch. In addition, there are 8 beach towels for your use, and a clothesline to hang the beach towels on at the house. There is also a playground for kids, a full sit down or take out restaurant with a "snack counter" for ice cream, and a rec room at the community center at the beach.
Boating - We have a dock at the house, and there are plenty of boats. There is a kayak, 2 canoes and a rowboat, as well as two children's kayaks for your use. We have life jackets for everyone. If you want other boats, there are paddleboats and sunfish sailboats as well as more rowboats and kayaks at the beach for your use during the summer season. All you have to do is give the "boat tender" (a lifeguard sitting to the side near the lifejackets) your beach pass, and you can take out any of those boats.
Fishing - You can fish in the lake. We have a few poles at the house. You will need a valid PA fishing license, if you are 16 and over. You can get a PA license as a 1 day, 3 day or 7 day tourist. They sell them at Flair Hardware or Walmart. They sell bait at Flair or Ray and Charles, but we also have some artifical lures in the tackle box near the fishing poles.
Swimming - You can swim from the dock at the house. You can also walk to the beach - it is just down the street, a 2 minute walk from the house. We have 8 guest passes at the house, bring them with you to the beach. The beach has lifeguards, and is open hours vary - during the summer. There are docks to jump off of, and a very shallow area for little ones. There is also a water trampoline to play on. You need to pass a "swim test" first, talk to a lifeguard. They only allow a few people on the trampoline at a time, and the trampoline opens various time during the day - ask at the beach. You need to pass the test, and then get your name on the list, so you can have your turn on the trampoline. You will need to wear your lifevest while on the trampoline, bring one from the house, or they have them for your use at the beach. We have a few beach chairs at the house and a beach blanket for your use. There are grills and picnic tables at the beach if you want to bring a picnic lunch. In addition, there are 8 beach towels for your use, and a clothesline to hang the beach towels on at the house. There is also a playground for kids, a full sit down or take out restaurant with a "snack counter" for ice cream, and a rec room at the community center at the beach.
Recreation
Recreation Room - The rec room, located just down the street in the community club house, is open from 12-9 Monday-Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12-10 and Sunday12-8 during the summer. The Rec Room is open most weekends year round. Bring a guest pass from the house. You must wear shoes to be in the rec room, so remember your flip flops. There is ping pong, pool table and air hockey, as well as foosball and shuffleboard. There are also board games and puzzles, and a TV and chairs to kick back and relax.
Ball Fields - There is a basketball court, tennis court and basefall field about 5 minutes from the house. We have a few rackets at the house, but feel free to bring your own. There are other ball fields and a soccer field a short drive from the house.
Playgrounds - There is a playground with a jungle gym, slides, swings and more located at the beach, 2 minutes from the house. There is another playground for kids a short drive from the house, just off of Log Tavern Road. As you are leaving the community on Gold Key Road, turn right on Log Tavern Road. A short drive down the road, just opposite the firehouse, turn right into the gate, and head down the gravel road. In a minute or two, you will see the new playground, with parking area, and ballfields,as well as soccer fields. (there is a sign on the gravel road, - Dingman Township Park, and it is just opposite the firehouse)
Ball Fields - There is a basketball court, tennis court and basefall field about 5 minutes from the house. We have a few rackets at the house, but feel free to bring your own. There are other ball fields and a soccer field a short drive from the house.
Playgrounds - There is a playground with a jungle gym, slides, swings and more located at the beach, 2 minutes from the house. There is another playground for kids a short drive from the house, just off of Log Tavern Road. As you are leaving the community on Gold Key Road, turn right on Log Tavern Road. A short drive down the road, just opposite the firehouse, turn right into the gate, and head down the gravel road. In a minute or two, you will see the new playground, with parking area, and ballfields,as well as soccer fields. (there is a sign on the gravel road, - Dingman Township Park, and it is just opposite the firehouse)
At the house
Games and Puzzles - We have many classic board games at the house, as well as puzzles. There are also lincoln logs, legos, a few dolls and stuffed animals for the little ones to play with.
Books - We have some kids books and a few adult books for reading. We also have a dictionary here so any Scrabble disputes can be settled as well as an atlas.
High Speed Internet - We have high speed internet at the house, and the password for access is in the house book.
Cable TV - We have basic cable TV in the great room, as well as a DVD and a stereo with radio and CD player, should you want to listen to some music.
Bird Watching - we have some binoculars and a bird book at the house. Enjoy some quiet time on the deck, and get a look at the birds that frequent the area.
Sunporches upstairs and downstairs with dining tables, and a sofa for relaxing, as well as the large deck with awning and a propane grill for dining on the deck. We have plenty of dishes in both kitchens as well as utensils, and grilling supplies, including the ketchup and mustard.
We also have a few lounge chairs in the yard, a picnic table, a hammock to rest in, and a sandbox for the kids.
There are a few super soakers, and two water hammocks as well as a few balls, rackets, and yard games you can set up.
There is also room in the garage to store your own bikes if you bring them, as the roads are pretty safe for biking and walking.
Books - We have some kids books and a few adult books for reading. We also have a dictionary here so any Scrabble disputes can be settled as well as an atlas.
High Speed Internet - We have high speed internet at the house, and the password for access is in the house book.
Cable TV - We have basic cable TV in the great room, as well as a DVD and a stereo with radio and CD player, should you want to listen to some music.
Bird Watching - we have some binoculars and a bird book at the house. Enjoy some quiet time on the deck, and get a look at the birds that frequent the area.
Sunporches upstairs and downstairs with dining tables, and a sofa for relaxing, as well as the large deck with awning and a propane grill for dining on the deck. We have plenty of dishes in both kitchens as well as utensils, and grilling supplies, including the ketchup and mustard.
We also have a few lounge chairs in the yard, a picnic table, a hammock to rest in, and a sandbox for the kids.
There are a few super soakers, and two water hammocks as well as a few balls, rackets, and yard games you can set up.
There is also room in the garage to store your own bikes if you bring them, as the roads are pretty safe for biking and walking.
Waterfalls
The Delaware Water Gap National Park features many amazing waterfalls. Most are less than 10 miles from the house. Some of our favorites are listed below, but for a more complete list, you can visit the Delaware Water Gap website.
Dingmans Falls - about 10 miles from the house, this is the most handicapped friendly site to visit. At the visitors center (currently open on weekends), you take a short walk from the parkling lot, on a path that has been made wheelchair friendly. You will come to Silverthread Falls, a sweet narrow waterfalls, that streams from high above. You continue along the path to Dingmans Falls. At Dingmans, you can double back, and take the staircase to the top of the falls for a cool view from above.
George Childs Park - About 9 miles from the house, this site has just been re-opened after a long renovation. At the parking lot, follow the path up and down the many walkways, staircases and bridges. This site is family friendly, but there are a few spots that can be tricky to navigate, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. There are also a few wading pools at the base of a few of the falls, so you may want to make sure you have shorts and a towel... Childs Parks is the location of Factory falls, Fullman Falls and Deer Leap Falls, and is a great way to spend an hour or two. There are also some picnic areas, so you can bring a lunch along.
Raymondskill Falls - Only 8 miles from the house, this waterfall is the closest, and the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, at only 4 feet shorter than Niagra Falls. This is the most challenging of the three, with paths that can be steep and slippery at times, but well worth it. Wear your sturdy shoes! This set of falls has viewpoints for the upper falls, and later along the path a really neat access point for the middle falls. Here you are close enough to be "sprayed" by the falls, if the volume of water is high, as it often is after a big rain.
Dingmans Falls - about 10 miles from the house, this is the most handicapped friendly site to visit. At the visitors center (currently open on weekends), you take a short walk from the parkling lot, on a path that has been made wheelchair friendly. You will come to Silverthread Falls, a sweet narrow waterfalls, that streams from high above. You continue along the path to Dingmans Falls. At Dingmans, you can double back, and take the staircase to the top of the falls for a cool view from above.
George Childs Park - About 9 miles from the house, this site has just been re-opened after a long renovation. At the parking lot, follow the path up and down the many walkways, staircases and bridges. This site is family friendly, but there are a few spots that can be tricky to navigate, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. There are also a few wading pools at the base of a few of the falls, so you may want to make sure you have shorts and a towel... Childs Parks is the location of Factory falls, Fullman Falls and Deer Leap Falls, and is a great way to spend an hour or two. There are also some picnic areas, so you can bring a lunch along.
Raymondskill Falls - Only 8 miles from the house, this waterfall is the closest, and the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, at only 4 feet shorter than Niagra Falls. This is the most challenging of the three, with paths that can be steep and slippery at times, but well worth it. Wear your sturdy shoes! This set of falls has viewpoints for the upper falls, and later along the path a really neat access point for the middle falls. Here you are close enough to be "sprayed" by the falls, if the volume of water is high, as it often is after a big rain.
Milford, PA
Milford has many unique shops, featuring antiques as well as one of a kind handmade items, from pottery to clothing to crafts. There are also lots of good places to eat, from fine dining to pizza. Milford also is the site of a few festivals, including the Black Bear Film Festival in the Fall.
Music in the Park - on Sundays in the summer from 1-4 there are free concerts in the park. The website is here, with music from Rock, to County to Blues.
Grey Towers was originally the summer castle like estate of the James Pinchot family and the primary home of Gifford Pinochot, America's first forester and founder of the USDA Forest Service. It is open to the public for tours of the buildings and grounds for a fee of around 8$ or so per person. More information can be found on their website. There are many events during the summer months, including the Festival of Wood.
Columns - Pike County Historical Society - Open from 1-4 most days of the week, there are many treasures at the Columns. Artifacts local to the area, a one room school house, and many more uniques and interesting items are on display. The website is here.
Music in the Park - on Sundays in the summer from 1-4 there are free concerts in the park. The website is here, with music from Rock, to County to Blues.
Grey Towers was originally the summer castle like estate of the James Pinchot family and the primary home of Gifford Pinochot, America's first forester and founder of the USDA Forest Service. It is open to the public for tours of the buildings and grounds for a fee of around 8$ or so per person. More information can be found on their website. There are many events during the summer months, including the Festival of Wood.
Columns - Pike County Historical Society - Open from 1-4 most days of the week, there are many treasures at the Columns. Artifacts local to the area, a one room school house, and many more uniques and interesting items are on display. The website is here.
Horseback Riding/Dude Ranch/Rodeo
Rodeo in the Poconos! Yes, you need not travel out west to see bucking broncos and rope tricks. They are only a 15 minute ride away in Milford PA
The Malibu Dude Ranch has a rodeo most Saturday nights in the summer. They also have Trail rides and Pony rides, as well as Skeet Shooting. You can purchase a day pass and spend the day, if you like, or just buy a ticket to the rodeo.
Horseback Riding by the hour - at Camp Speers Eljabar. Only a 10 minute ride from the house, Camp Speers Eljabar offers Trail riding in the Poconos on their property. Just call them for rates and information to set up your trail ride.
Even more...
Golfing? There are a few courses nearby.
Peters Vally Craft Center - about 25 minutes away on the Jersey side, offering classes and a wonderful craft shops full of handmade items.
Canoe/Kayak on the Delaware? Try Kittatinny Canoes, only 15 minutes from the house.
Hiking/Trail exploration? The Delaware Water Gap National Park has many trails, and many, many more are available throughout Pike County PA.
There are also books and guides at the house for more ideas of ways to spend your days and nights.
Peters Vally Craft Center - about 25 minutes away on the Jersey side, offering classes and a wonderful craft shops full of handmade items.
Canoe/Kayak on the Delaware? Try Kittatinny Canoes, only 15 minutes from the house.
Hiking/Trail exploration? The Delaware Water Gap National Park has many trails, and many, many more are available throughout Pike County PA.
There are also books and guides at the house for more ideas of ways to spend your days and nights.