Areas with mountains / lakes within 1 hour of Philadelphia?

[MissClutterbuck]

maybe Palmerton, PA?

It has a walkable downtown and it's somewhat what I call "self contained"--the high school's right in town, there's a hospital associated with Lehigh Valley Hospital, there's a grocery stores, restaurants... it's kind of like a Friday Night Lights town.

It's situated right along the Appalachian Trail, and there's a ski area about a mile or so from town. Lots of hiking and outdoor opportunities.

Beltzville Lake State Park is about 8 miles away, and I'm sure there are probably closer lakes. You're also near the river.

You could make it to Philly in about an hour and a half, although with light traffic maybe less.

[Icy Tea]

Hamburg PA is at the foothills of the Blue Mountains and Hawk Mountain is just east/northeast of there. There you can get some nice mountain vistas and walk the Appalachian Trail. Closer to Philly would be French Creek state park where there is camping and what would be the last mountain in the area or pretty close to a real mountain. But it is a forest, at least. There are lakes there, fishing, swimming, and boating. The whole area offers lots to see and do, both outdoors and other activities and shopping.