Mountain Biking at Nockamixon State Park

My husband Dave and I were looking to escape the typical rocky terrain found in most NEPA mountain bike trails, so we decided on a fan favorite for more “flowy” terrain: mountain biking at Nockamixon State Park (commonly referred to as Nox). We geared up, loaded the car, and took a drive down the PA Turnpike to Quakertown.

Trail Overview: Smooth Rides & Fun Features

Nockamixon State Park is a great spot for new riders who are looking to get into the sport, thanks to its easier-to-navigate terrain, but it’s also very fun for expert riders. The trail system is categorized as Blue on the difficulty scale. The 10 miles of trails are smooth and flowy, but you’ll encounter a variety of features to try (all with go-arounds). Mountain biking at Nockamixon State Park offers balance skinnies, tabletop jumps, berm turns, log-overs, and plenty of dirt-ribbon trail to pump and practice your skills.

You can expect about 850 feet of elevation gain throughout the 10 miles of trail. Do note: there is a short rocky climb that leads to the infamous gnome garden. Side note—anyone who rides Nox knows the unspoken rule: you have to get a photograph or two in the gnome garden.

Starting Point: Haycock Boat Launch

Upon arrival, we parked at the Haycock Boat Launch. If parking here, you’ll need to ride out of the parking area and turn right onto Rt. 563. After crossing the bridge, the trail access will be up on your right. Once on the trails, you can head left (clockwise) or right (counter-clockwise); we took the immediate right onto Hammer Trail, over to Cold Spot.

Some areas in this section appeared to be washed out, so use caution—these spots are easy to spot as you approach.

Favorite Mountain Biking Trails: Haycock Run to South Park

From Cold Spot, we continued into Haycock Run, a fun trail through wooded areas with rolling hills. At the end, it leads into Eastern Woods, to Jay Walk, and over to South Park. SP is one of my favorite trails at Nox, with a great downhill section.

I will note, that during this particular ride we encountered quite a few muddy spots as we climbed and made our way out of South Park and into Jay Walk.  I recommend, if you are aware the park recently had a heavy rain, avoid these two trails.  The mud was unavoidable and deep in quite a few spots which really impacted our ride flow.

Wrapping Up the Loop at Nockamixon State Park

After making our way out of J-Walk, we returned through Eastern Woods, then back to Haycock Run.  Haycock Run then leads you back to Cold Spot.  As you make the turn up to Cold Spot, for reference, this is where you can access the Tower Rd parking area. You’ll see the sign. Continue left on the trail to stay on Cold Spot or turn right for the Tower Lot. Cold Spot connects back to Hammer Trail, wrapping up one full loop of the Nox system.

If you’re feeling saucy, make sure to try those features spread throughout the trails!

Make It a Day: Ride, Relax & Paddle

With a scenic picnic area and water access at the Haycock Boat Launch parking lot, Nox is a perfect place to spend a full day outdoors. Start your adventure by mountain biking at Nockamixon State Park—grab a lap or two on the flowy mountain bike trails, then return to your car for a laid-back lunch. Afterward, launch your kayak or stand-up paddleboard into the calm cove to unwind and soak in the views.