Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled a proposal this week to expand Lehigh Gorge State Park to include the Glen Onoko Falls trail. The initiative is part of his 2025-26 budget plan, which also aims to establish Pennsylvania’s first underground state park at Laurel Caverns.

The Glen Onoko Falls trail, a popular destination for hikers, was closed in 2019 due to safety concerns following several falls and rescues. Specifically included in Shapiro’s budget is $5 million for building trails and expanding state parks. Part of that includes transferring the 391-acre Glen Onoko property from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to Lehigh Gorge State Park, which falls under Department of Conservation and Natural Resources management.

“After a planning process and improvements, DCNR would reopen the Glen Onoko Falls Trail, increasing safe access to waterfalls and scenic views,” a DCNR newsletter issued on Wednesday stated.

DCNR did not issue a timeline for the trail reopening.

“We had proposed this transfer to DCNR a few years ago, before the trail was even closed, but the Game Commission and DCNR could not come to an agreement on what land would be swapped,” state Rep. Doyle Heffley said. “I think it would be great to have the trail opened, but it has to be managed properly. We have to ensure that the people who are going to hike it are safe and that it’s not going to overburden our local EMS providers.”

In May 2019, the Pennsylvania Game Commission permanently closed the Glen Onoko Falls trail due to safety concerns. The decision was driven by the deteriorating condition of the trail and the frequency of accidents, which posed significant risks to both hikers and first responders.

Since 1977, the Game Commission said at the time, at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries occurred on the trail. The challenging terrain, with a 600-foot elevation gain over a short distance, contributed to these incidents, officials said. Local emergency services often faced demanding and hazardous rescue operations, sometimes requiring up to 50 firefighters and lasting several hours.

State Sen. Dave Argall voiced his support for the proposal, emphasizing the trail’s significance to the community.

“Ever since this trail was shut down in 2019 to protect the safety of hikers and our first responders, it has been sorely missed,” Argall said. “I support all efforts to safely reopen this trail — it’s truly one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever enjoyed with my family in all of Pennsylvania.”

As the budget proposal moves forward, it will require approval from the state legislature.

The DCNR House Appropriation hearing is scheduled for Feb. 27.