Things To Do on an eBike in Monroe County, PA
Monroe County has three verified places to ride an eBike: the south end of the McDade Recreational Trail along the Delaware River, the Levee Loop Trail between Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, and the Lakeside Trail around Tobyhanna Lake.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area opened the McDade Trail to eBikes in 2021 with a 15 mph limit, but bars bikes and eBikes from every other park trail. Pennsylvania state parks allow eBikes on bike trails if they meet DCNR's size and speed rules.
Where to ride in Monroe County
This guide lists only routes with a published length and a clear bicycle permission. We dropped routes in neighboring counties that earlier versions of this page included. Expect gravel on the McDade Trail, grass and gravel on the levee, and an improved surface around Tobyhanna Lake.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. McDade Recreational Trail, Hialeah to Bushkill Village
Route: The National Park Service says the McDade Trail runs most of the length of the park, from Hialeah Recreation Area to Milford Beach at trail mile 31.0, with trailheads half a mile to 5 miles apart. NPS describes it as a gravel path along the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania side, with parking along River Road and Route 209.
The southern end: Hialeah, trail mile 0.0, has parking, restrooms and picnic tables. The 2.0 miles to Smithfield Beach are rated moderate to difficult, and the next 2.6 miles to Riverview are rated easy. Smithfield Beach is a fee area with parking, restrooms, water and a swim beach. Bushkill Village, at trail mile 8.4, has parking and restrooms.
Rules: NPS posts a 15 mph speed limit, bikers yield to hikers, and no motorized vehicles; eBikes are allowed under the compendium described below. Leashed pets are not allowed between Smithfield Beach and Hialeah from late spring to early fall.
2. Levee Loop Trail, Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg
StroudRec describes a 4.5-mile loop on the levee built after the 1955 flood, crossing four parks along Brodhead Creek. The surface is grass and gravel, relatively flat with some slight inclines. Access points are the trailhead at Dansbury Park, 15 Day Street in East Stroudsburg, plus Creekview, Stokes Mill and Yetter parks. DCNR's trail finder says it runs on both sides of the creek from the Route 209 Veterans Memorial Bridge to the Stokes Avenue Bridge and connects with 14 parks and 2 historic downtown districts. StroudRec does not publish an eBike rule, so ride at walking-path speeds and check the trailhead signs.
3. Lakeside Trail, Tobyhanna State Park
Tobyhanna State Park is in Monroe and Wayne counties and includes the 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake. DCNR lists the Lakeside Trail as a 5.1-mile blue-blazed loop rated easiest, open to hiking, biking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. It circles the lake, passes the campground and beach, and borders the Black Bear and Bender Swamps Natural Area. The trailhead has modern restrooms and potable water. The park's Frank Gantz and Range trails are hiking only.
Pennsylvania eBike rules and route permission
Delaware Water Gap: The park's Superintendent's Compendium allows bicycles and eBikes on park roads and parking areas open to motor vehicles and on the McDade Recreational Trail, which the superintendent opened to eBikes on September 22, 2021. The 15 mph limit applies to eBikes on the trail. Bikes and eBikes are prohibited on all other park trails.
State parks: DCNR allows eBikes on trails open to regular bikes if they weigh no more than 100 pounds, do not exceed 20 mph on the motor, have a motor of 750 watts or less and have working pedals. On non-motorized trails you must pedal; throttle-only riding is not allowed. eBikes are barred from natural areas, yellow- or orange-blazed hiking trails and trails posted No Biking. DCNR notes that local parks and federal lands may set different rules.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the 5.1-mile Lakeside Trail loop at Tobyhanna State Park, or the 4.5-mile Levee Loop from Dansbury Park.
Full day: Start at Smithfield Beach and ride the McDade Trail north to Bushkill Village and back, about 13 miles round trip. Start at Hialeah instead only if you want the harder first 2 miles.
What not to ride in Monroe County
Any trail in Delaware Water Gap other than the McDade. The compendium bars bikes and eBikes from them.
Tobyhanna's Frank Gantz and Range trails, and the natural area beside Lakeside Trail. They are hiking only, and DCNR bars eBikes from natural areas.
A throttle-only ride on a state park trail. DCNR requires pedaling on non-motorized trails.
When to ride Monroe County
NPS says the McDade Trail is used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter, and Tobyhanna's Lakeside Trail is open to snowmobiles and skiers. Plan eBike rides for late spring through fall, and check the NPS alerts page before a McDade ride.
eBike shops
The cards below list Pocono Bike Company on Main St. in Stroudsburg, Peterson's Ski and Cycle in Blakeslee and Fetty's Cycle Service in Pocono Pines. Call to ask about eBike sales, rentals and service.
- eBike shops in Stroudsburg
- eBike shops in Tannersville
- eBike shops in Blakeslee
- eBike shops in Pocono Pines
Frequently asked questions
Are eBikes allowed on the McDade Recreational Trail?
Yes. Delaware Water Gap's Superintendent's Compendium opened the McDade Trail to eBikes on September 22, 2021, with the trail's 15 mph speed limit.
Can I ride an eBike on other Delaware Water Gap trails?
No. The compendium prohibits bicycles and eBikes on all park trails except the McDade Recreational Trail. Park roads and parking areas open to motor vehicles are also open to eBikes.
Where does the McDade Trail start?
At Hialeah Recreation Area on River Road, trail mile 0.0, which has parking, restrooms and picnic tables. Smithfield Beach is at mile 2.0.
How long is the Levee Loop Trail?
StroudRec describes it as a 4.5-mile loop of grass and gravel along Brodhead Creek, with the main trailhead at Dansbury Park, 15 Day Street, East Stroudsburg.
Can I bike the Lakeside Trail at Tobyhanna State Park?
Yes. DCNR lists the 5.1-mile blue-blazed loop around Tobyhanna Lake as open to biking, and its eBike policy allows eBikes on bike trails that meet its rules.
What eBikes does DCNR allow in Pennsylvania state parks?
eBikes that weigh 100 pounds or less, do not exceed 20 mph on the motor, have a motor of 750 watts or less and have working pedals. Riders must pedal on non-motorized trails.
Where can I buy or service an eBike in Monroe County?
The cards on this page list Pocono Bike Company in Stroudsburg, Peterson's Ski and Cycle in Blakeslee and Fetty's Cycle Service in Pocono Pines. Call to confirm eBike service.
All eBike shops in Monroe County
See the Monroe County eBike shops page for the full directory, and our Pennsylvania eBike laws guide for state rules.