 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
at the Vacation Inn Motel in Union
Dale - 9207 Route 171, Union Dale, PA 18470
The
Vacation Inn Motel (570-679-2100, www.thevacationinn.com)
in Union Dale is easily accessible from the interstate highways in northeastern
Pennsylvania near the New York border. The motel is situated in the
Endless Mountains, where they meet the northern edge of the Poconos.
There are about 200 miles of trails in the region and you can xc ski
or snowshoe from the motel and loop back using different routes every
day. Or drive to an easily accessed drop off point and return to the
inn. Snowmobiling is also popular at the inn.
The Vacation Inn has low holiday rates for accommodations at $54.50 for one, $76.30 per couple, and $87.20 for a family of 3-4 people. During the week the rates for one night are about $5 less. The newly renovated rooms include queen beds, new carpets and drapes, cable TV with 100 channels (HBP & SHO), and a coffee maker. All rooms are air conditioned in the summer. Regular rooms have a queen bed or a gueen and twin. Family rooms have a queen bed and two twins. And in the winter (Dec-Mar) the Vacation Inn offers 2 nights for the price of one during midweek (Sunday-Thursday) nonholidays!
Bring
your own equipment for xc skiing and snowshoeing or nearby you rent
at Chet's or you can visit the Inn at Starlight Lake where there are
rentals for $25 for cross country skiers and/or snowshoers that are
day visitors.There is also a trail fee at the Inn at Starlight Lake
of $10 for day visitors (non guests at the inn).
There are two rail trails (the D & H is 38 miles and the O & W is 8 miles), which were among the nation's first commercial railroads near the Vacation Inn. Locally the Salt Springs Park and the Florence Shelly Preserve offer trails, too and there are miles of groomed snowmobile trails that can be traveled by xc skiers and snowshoers. There are 30,000 acres of Pennsylvania wild lands in the region plush with wildlife, which is also commonly seen at the Vacation Inn. The nearby game lands have trails for hiking, 4 wheeling, bird watching, horseback riding, and other activities.
Restaurants
nearby. Alpine skiing or snowboarding is available at Elk Mountain only
10 minutes from the Vacation Inn and SnoMountain, which also has tubing
is a 40 minute drive. Scranton and Honesdale are well known for their
railroad history with Steamtown National Park & Museum and Stourbridge
Museum and train rides.
Directions: From the north take I-81 to Exit 230 and go south on PA Rte 171. From the south take the I-81 Exit 206 and PA Rte 374 east to PA Rte 171 north. From the east take either I-81 ot I-80/I-380 to I-81 at Exit 206 and follow Rte 374 east and Rte 171 north to Motel. Mid photo by George Schreck.