History
Truly Nature has been lavish in her gifts to Monroe County. No other county in the State is more healthful or more beautiful. Shall we not pledge ourselves to the full limit of our ability to guard this precious heritage, to preserve its streams from pollution and its forests from destruction so that those who come after us may enjoy it- as we have enjoyed it? From The Pocono Plateau by Henry S Cattell
Big Pocono State Park is on land which was owned by Henry S. Cattell near the turn of the 20th century. Mr. Cattell, being very fond of the view from the summit of Camelback Mountain, and knowing that many others shared his love for the area, constructed a stone cabin on the summit in 1908. The Cattell Cabin was left unlocked for many years to be used as a shelter by anyone who wished.
In 1928, 12 years after Mr. Cattell's death, the Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased the area. In 1950, a portion of the state land on the steep north slope of the mountain was leased to Big Pocono Skiing, Inc., for commercial ski development. Later named Camelback Ski Corporation, the facility has been developed into a major ski resort.
In 1953, a 1,306-acre portion of the state game lands, including the ski area lease, was acquired by the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (now the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) for the purpose of developing a state park at the mountain's summit.
In 1954, after the construction of restrooms, parking areas, picnic sites, fireplaces and a scenic drive around the summit, the area was opened to the public as Big Pocono State Park. The Cattell Cabin served for many years as a park office and nature museum.
In 2008 Friends of Big Pocono was formed to preserve and protect the nature of the park, and to improve visitor's opportunities to enjoy all the Park has to offer.
