South Mountain Reservoir Park
Managed by City of Allentown
99 acres2.5 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
No trailhead mapped yet
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0AOutdoors
Outdoors in Allentown
13% of Allentown’s land is conserved, and 96% of residents live within a half mile of a park
13% of Allentown’s land is conserved, about 1,505 acres. 17 miles of mapped trail cross Allentown, 1.0 per square mile of land. The biggest trail networks: South Mountain Reservoir Park (2.5 mi), Cedar Creek Parkway (2 mi), Lehigh Parkway (1.2 mi).
Ahead of 86% of U.S. towns · #204 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. What drives it
Conserved land
13%
1,505 acres · of 17.6 sq mi of land
Trails
17 mi
1.0 per sq mi of land
Park land
1,444 ac
11 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
96%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
22 mi
0.9 mi lanes · 11 mi paths
Highest peak
528 ft
Dutch Hill
Lakes & rivers
3
3 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Allentown?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Allentown have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Allentown is ahead of 86% of U.S. towns, #204 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Conserved land holds the grade up; park acres per resident pull it down.
A
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Allentown’s overall grade.
Conserved land13% of the land · typical PA town 8% · U.S. 4%A−Trails1.0 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (17 mi) · PA 0.4 · U.S. 0.4A−Park land11 acres of park per 1,000 residents (1,444 acres) · PA 14 · U.S. 13B−Parks close to home96% of residents within a half mile of a park · PA 73% · U.S. 72%A−
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 86%
LessMore
Pennsylvania towns of 2,500+ (1,037)Ahead of 80%
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Allentown ranks #128 on Outdoors.
Pennsylvania towns conserve more land than most (a typical one, 8%; the U.S., 4%), so Allentown’s 13% is ahead of 67% of Pennsylvania towns, while its trails per square mile lead 77% of them.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would range from A− to A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is South Mountain Reservoir Park, with 2.5 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Cedar Creek Parkway
Managed by City of Allentown
112 acres2 mi of trail
Cedar Creek PathYouth Exercise Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Lehigh Parkway
Managed by City of Allentown
344 acres1.2 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Robert Rodale Reserve
Nature preserve
56 acres1.2 mi of trail
Water Towers Path
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trail sign
Trout Creek Park
Managed by City of Allentown
62 acres0.8 mi of trail
Trout Creek Parkway
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Canal Park
Managed by City of Allentown - Parks & Recreation
24 acres0.8 mi of trail
D&L Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailheadWebsite ↗
Percy Ruhe Park
Managed by City of Allentown
27 acres0.3 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
All 37 parks & preserves
South Mountain Reservoir Park99 acres · 2.5 mi of trail · City of Allentown
Cedar Creek Parkway112 acres · 2 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsLehigh Parkway344 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsRobert Rodale Reserve56 acres · 1.2 mi of trail
DirectionsTrout Creek Park62 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsCanal Park24 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · City of Allentown - Parks & Recreation
DirectionsWest Park6 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsPercy Ruhe Park27 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsBucky Boyle Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsKeck Park30 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · City of Allentown - Parks & Recreation
DirectionsJordan Park21 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsJordan Meadows5 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsAllen Park2 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsAndre Reed Park10 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsPatriots Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Patriots Athletic Association
DirectionsLehigh Landing4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Allentown
DirectionsAllentown Arts Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsTrexler Memorial Park137 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsFountain Park29 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsJoseph S. Daddona Lake and Terrace Park28 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsMountainville Memorial Youth Association11 acres
DirectionsJordan Park West7 acres
Roosevelt Park7 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsHamilton Park Playlot7 acres
DirectionsEarl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park5 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsEast Side Reservoir Park4 acres · City of Allentown Parks & Recreation
DirectionsKimmett's Lock3 acres
DirectionsClyde E. Bosket Sr. Park2 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsJackson Street Community Park2 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsSouth Street Playlot1 acres · City of Allentown
Howard Keck Juniata Playlot1 acres · City of Allentown
DirectionsWaldon Terrace Playlot1 acres · City of Allentown
Stevens Park1 acres · City of Allentown Parks & Recreation
Old Fairgrounds Playground1 acres · City of Allentown Parks & Recreation
DirectionsFranklin Park1 acres · City of Allentown
Salisbury Drive Playlot1 acres · City of Allentown
Lumber & Benton Playlot1 acres · City of Allentown
Who protects it
1,505 conserved acres
13% of Allentown’s land. Who manages Allentown’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
Other or Unknown Local Government1,429 ac
Land trusts & nonprofits9 ac
Private owners3 ac
Not recorded123 ac
Local Park · 1,210 acLocal Recreation Area · 202 acLocal Other or Unknown · 121 acLocal Conservation Area · 21 acAgricultural Easement · 7 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 2 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. Public access isn’t recorded for 2 of 57 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Lehigh Parkway Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 459 | Open |
| Trexler Memorial Park Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 134 | Open |
| Allentown Municipal Golf Course Local Recreation Area | Other or Unknown Local Government | 134 | Unknown |
| Cedar Creek Parkway Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 108 | Open |
| Canal Park Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 102 | Open |
| Allentown Mountain Reservoir Park Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 89 | Open |
| Trout Creek Park Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 77 | Open |
| Ithaca Park Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 57 | Open |
| Jordan Park Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 50 | Open |
| Fountain Park Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 38 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
79 places to go in Allentown
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Public pools in Allentown
Jordan Park PoolIn Jordan Park
DirectionsNorthwest Swim Club
DirectionsPlaygrounds in Allentown
Destination PlaygroundIn Cedar Creek Parkway
DirectionsLehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital - Kids Zone
Directions60 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Allentown
Center Square - Pup Park
DirectionsJudge Memorial Dog ParkIn Trout Creek Park
DirectionsPlay Yard & Training Course
DirectionsPlus 5 dog parks without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Boat launches in Allentown
3 boat launches without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Allentown
1 scenic view without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Peaks in Allentown
Dutch Hill528 ft elevation
DirectionsCommunity gardens in Allentown
4 community gardens without a name on the map.
Trails & water
7 named trails and 3 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 3.7 miHorses · 2.4 miUnpaved · 7.6 mi
D&L Trail2.4 mi
Cedar Creek Path0.6 mi
Trout Creek Parkway0.4 mi
Bucky Boyle Trail0.2 mi
Water Towers Path0.2 mi
Wilderness Trail (Green)0.1 mi
Youth Exercise Trail0.1 mi
Lakes & rivers tap for directions
Biking & sports
22 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
0.9 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
11 mi
off-road bike paths
10 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
D&L TrailBike route
2.4 mi9/11 National Memorial Trail (Pennsylvania thru route)Bike route
1.9 miCourts & fields
37Basketball
36Baseball
32Tennis
10Football
7Soccer
6Softball
5Tracks
4Volleyball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →16 places on the National Register
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 15 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
Trout HallBuilding · listed 1978
About itZollinger-Harned Company BuildingBuilding · listed 1979
About itLehigh Canal; Allentown to Hopeville SectionDistrict · listed 1979
About itNeuweiler BreweryBuilding · listed 1980
About itOld Lehigh County CourthouseBuilding · listed 1981
About itHigh German Evangelical Reformed ChurchBuilding · listed 1983
About itHotel SterlingBuilding · listed 1984
About itAmericus HotelBuilding · listed 1984
About itDime Savings and Trust CompanyBuilding · listed 1985
About itGauff-Roth HouseBuilding · listed 1985
About itMeyers, Albertus L., BridgeStructure · listed 1988
About itAllentown Masonic TempleBuilding · listed 2004
About it4 more on the History page.
When to get out
The best walking months in Allentown: April to June
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.6 | 10.6 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.4 | 15.1 | 14.8 | 13.8 | 12.4 | 11.0 | 9.9 | 9.3 |
| High (°F) | 39 | 42 | 51 | 64 | 74 | 82 | 87 | 84 | 77 | 66 | 54 | 44 |
| Rain (in) | 3.4 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 3.9 |
February is the driest month (2.7 in) and July the warmest (highs of 87 °F). 4.9 inches fall in July, the wettest month. Summer highs reach 87 °F, too hot for the outline. The climate in Allentown →
Next door
Allentown and its neighbors
Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Salisbury Township34 miBethlehem18 miWhitehall Township18 miAllentown17 miFullerton8.9 miSouth Whitehall Township2.6 miDorneyville0.5 miCetronia0.1 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | 13% | 1.0 | 11 | 96% | A |
| Salisbury Township | 20% | 3.1 | 103 | 94% | A+ |
| South Whitehall Township | 4% | 0.2 | 20 | 94% | B |
| Fullerton | — not graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town | ||||
| Whitehall Township | 8% | 1.4 | 25 | 97% | A |
| Dorneyville | — not graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town | ||||
| Cetronia | — not graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town | ||||
| Bethlehem | 5% | 0.9 | 8 | 99% | A− |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Allentown
Where can I hike in Allentown?
The longest trail networks: South Mountain Reservoir Park, 2.5 miles; Cedar Creek Parkway, 2 miles; Lehigh Parkway, 1.2 miles; Robert Rodale Reserve, 1.2 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Allentown is conserved land?
13% of its land, against a typical 8% for a Pennsylvania town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Allentown’s trails?
South Mountain Reservoir Park and Cedar Creek Parkway don’t have dog rules recorded on the map; check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Allentown?
22 miles of bike routes are on the map: 0.9 of painted or protected lanes, 11 of off-road paths and 10 of shoulders and shared lanes. Named routes: D&L Trail and 9/11 National Memorial Trail (Pennsylvania thru route).
Is there public land near Allentown?
16,337 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Allentown or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 1,444 of them inside the city line.
How much outdoors does Allentown have?
Ahead of 86% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #204 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Allentown neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →