Updated: February 2026 and revised content to be current.
Here on the Texas Gulf Coast, we are currently basking in a mid-January “spring,” with the mercury pushing toward the mid-seventies. It’s pleasant, certainly, but for those of us with mountain souls, there is a certain longing that only a deep, bracing winter can satisfy.
As travelers become more mindful of the footprints they leave behind, the “Green Highroad” has become a path of both conscience and beauty. Pennsylvania’s highlands offer a sanctuary where you can witness nature’s resilience, eat from the local soil, and sleep with a sound mind.
When the Texas heat starts to feel a bit too heavy, and you’re ready to trade oak trees for hemlocks, here are a few “green” stops to keep your Mountain Dream alive.
Play Green: Finding Sanctuary
- Lake Wallenpaupack (Hawley, PA): Built in 1927 for hydroelectric power, this 5,700-acre marvel is a testament to how we can harness nature’s power while preserving its wild heart. With 52 miles of shoreline, it is a place where the water meets the woods in perfect, sustainable harmony.
- Florence Shelly Preserve (Thompson, PA): In the quiet corners of the Endless Mountains, this 300-acre preserve offers a mosaic of glacial ponds and hemlock swamps. It is a place to step off the grid and see the mountains exactly as they were meant to be—untamed and serene.
- The Pinchot Trail (Pocono Plateau): Named for the father of American conservation, Gifford Pinchot, this trail is sacred ground. Walking the northern loop feels like a pilgrimage through the varied habitats of the plateau, reminding us why these lands were worth protecting in the first place.
- Lacawac Sanctuary (Lake Ariel, PA): A National Natural Landmark since 1969, Lacawac is home to a pristine glacial lake that has remained largely untouched by the outside world. It’s a 510-acre classroom where the mountain’s secrets are whispered through the trees.
Eat Green: Tasting the Soil
- Miller’s Orchard Farm Market (Clarks Summit, PA): There is a specific, honest joy in eating food grown in the very soil you’re standing on. At Miller’s, the farm-to-table experience isn’t a marketing slogan; it’s a way of life that honors the rhythm of the mountain seasons.
- Summerhouse Grill (Montrose, PA): Tucked away in Susquehanna County, this is where the Mountain Dream meets culinary art. With a focus on organic, local, and humanely raised ingredients, it’s a meal that feeds your soul as much as your appetite.
Sleep Green: A Restful Conscience
The Pennsylvania DEP recognizes “Green Hotels” that lead the way in environmental stewardship. In the highlands, these stays offer a deep connection to the land.
The Settler’s Inn (Hawley, PA): A leader in sustainable hospitality for decades, this Arts and Crafts-inspired inn delivers the simplest pleasures in their purest form. It’s more than a stay; it’s a homecoming.
The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle (Howard, PA): Located in the heart of a state park, this LEED Gold-certified inn is the ultimate “green” retreat. It’s designed to let you feel the mountain breeze while leaving no trace of your stay.
Brookview Manor Inn (Canadensis, PA): Set on 200 acres of private forest, this turn-of-the-century manor remains a favorite for those seeking peace. It’s a place to wrap yourself in the quiet of the woods and leave the humidity of the coast behind.
Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi (Pocono Pines, PA): Remodeled to serve the modern traveler while honoring its 1928 roots, this lodge offers a grand porch with a view that invites you to slow down and breathe the mountain air.
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