D&H Rail Trail
38-Mile Multi-Use Rail Trail — Former Delaware and Hudson Gravity Railroad, Simpson to New York Border, Three Counties, Crushed Stone and Rustic Railbed Sections, Bucks Falls Ravine, Thompson Curve, Northeastern Pennsylvania
The D&H Rail Trail is a 38-mile multi-use recreational trail spanning Lackawanna, Wayne, and Susquehanna counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. The trail features a 38-mile corridor from Simpson south to the New York State border near Lanesboro following the historic Delaware and Hudson gravity railroad bed, improved crushed stone surface sections ideal for hybrid and mountain bikes between Union Dale and Simpson and near Ararat, rustic original railbed sections with ballast, cinder, and dirt requiring mountain bikes in more remote stretches, scenic highlights including Bucks Falls Ravine between Thompson and Starrucca and the sweeping Thompson Curve horseshoe bend through dense forest, connection to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail at Simpson extending riding toward Scranton, multiple trailheads with parking at Simpson (1 Morse Ave), Forest City (Commerce Blvd), Union Dale, Herrick Center, Ararat, and Luciana Park in Lanesboro, year-round use including hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, and management by the Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The D&H Rail Trail follows the historic Delaware and Hudson gravity railroad — one of America’s earliest railroads, built to transport anthracite coal from the mines of northeastern Pennsylvania. Today it’s a 38-mile recreational corridor through three counties of the Endless Mountains region.
The best-maintained section runs from Union Dale to Simpson with smooth crushed stone. The Ararat summit is the trail’s highest point — riders can coast downhill in either direction. Scenic Bucks Falls Ravine and the Thompson Curve are standout highlights.
Best Trail Sections
- Union Dale to Simpson — best-maintained, smooth crushed stone
- Ararat summit — highest point, downhill in both directions
- Bucks Falls Ravine — scenic gorge between Thompson and Starrucca
- Thompson Curve — sweeping horseshoe bend in dense forest
- Southern river corridor — follows Lackawanna River
- Lanesboro — Luciana Park trailhead with picnic + restrooms
Trail Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 38 miles — Simpson to NY State border |
| Counties | Lackawanna, Wayne, Susquehanna |
| Surface | Crushed stone (improved) + ballast/dirt (rustic) |
| Bike Rec. | Hybrid OK on improved; MTB for rustic sections |
| Connects | Lackawanna River Heritage Trail at Simpson |
| Winter | Snowshoeing, XC skiing, snowmobiling (sections) |
| Managed By | Rail-Trail Council of NEPA |
| Coordinates | 41.6500° N, 75.5500° W (Union Dale area) |
Trailheads and Parking
| Trailhead | Location |
|---|---|
| Simpson (south) | 1 Morse Ave, Simpson, PA 18407 |
| Forest City | Commerce Blvd off Rte 247 |
| Union Dale | Behind Cable’s General Store |
| Herrick Center | Along Rte 374 |
| Ararat | Burnwood Rd / Ararat Rd intersection |
| Lanesboro (north) | Luciana Park — parking, picnic, restrooms |
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bike do you need for the D&H Rail Trail?
The D&H Rail Trail has two types of surface: improved sections with smooth crushed stone (especially Union Dale to Simpson and near Ararat) are suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes. Rustic sections with original railbed ballast, cinder, and dirt require a mountain bike. The 38-mile trail spans Lackawanna, Wayne, and Susquehanna counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, following the historic Delaware and Hudson gravity railroad from Simpson to the New York border. At Simpson, it connects to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail toward Scranton. Managed by the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA.
What are the best sections of the D&H Rail Trail?
The Union Dale to Simpson section is the best-maintained with smooth crushed stone surface. The Ararat summit is the trail’s highest point, offering gradual downhill riding in both directions. Scenic highlights include Bucks Falls Ravine between Thompson and Starrucca and the sweeping Thompson Curve horseshoe bend through dense forest. Trailheads with parking are available at Simpson (1 Morse Ave), Forest City, Union Dale, Herrick Center, Ararat, and Luciana Park in Lanesboro.
Last updated: May 2026
