Fall Foliage Festival parking is now available at Mauch Chunk Lake Park through the county reservation system.

Last week, the board of commissioners approved an agreement with LANTA to provide shuttle service for four fixed route vehicles every weekend in October between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The additional parking at the lake, which can accommodate at least 150 vehicles, as well as shuttle service into downtown Jim Thorpe, is an attempt to alleviate some of the traffic congestion that bottlenecks the borough in October, as visitors flock to the quaint town to take in the fall foliage.

Parking reservations are now being accepted at https://www.tocite.net/carboncountypa/portal/permit. The cost for one spot is $25 plus a $3 service charge. This reservation guarantees one spot in the beach parking lot, located off Lentz Trail. It also provides two shuttle passes into town. Additional passes are $6 per rider. It is to be noted that this parking reservation is strictly at Mauch Chunk Lake Park and not included in the county parking lot in downtown Jim Thorpe.

Visitors will be shuttled from Mauch Chunk Lake Park to the Mauch Chunk Opera House, located in the heart of Jim Thorpe. The shuttle will be running from 10 a.m. at 10 to 15 minute intervals, with the last bus leaving Jim Thorpe back to Mauch Chunk Lake Park at 5 p.m.

The agreement guarantees revenue to LANTA in the amount of $16,215.04 for the service.

This is the second year for this shuttle and parking service in October.

Last year, as a result of the October shuttle service, the ridership numbers went up significantly, which then helps Carbon receive more money for transportation service throughout the rest of the year.

For more information on the fall foliage parking, visit https://www.carboncountypa.gov/services/parking and click on “Fall Foliage Parking” on the left column menu.