Things to Do in the Poconos, Pennsylvania
The Pocono Mountains are the Northeast’s year-round mountain getaway — about 90 minutes from NYC and 2 hours from Philadelphia. The region built its reputation on honeymoon resorts (the heart-shaped hot tubs are iconic), but it’s also genuine outdoor country with skiing, whitewater rafting, waterfalls, and 150+ lakes spread across 2,400 square miles.
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Quick Facts: The Poconos cover four counties in northeast Pennsylvania, easily reachable from NYC, Philly, and northern New Jersey. Best time to visit: depends on the season — winter for skiing, summer for water sports, fall for foliage, and spring for whitewater.
Here’s everything worth doing in the Poconos, broken down by season and interest.
Winter Activities
The Poconos get reliable snow from December through March, and the region has the highest concentration of ski resorts in the mid-Atlantic.
Camelback Mountain Resort — The biggest ski resort in the Poconos. 39 trails, 166 acres, and a snowtubing park that’s the largest in the country (42 lanes). Camelback Lodge attached to the resort houses Aquatopia — a massive indoor waterpark that runs year-round regardless of weather.
Jack Frost & Big Boulder — Two resorts under one ticket. Jack Frost has the better terrain variety; Big Boulder has the freestyle terrain park. A solid weekend mountain combo for families and weekend skiers.
Shawnee Mountain — Family-focused ski resort along the Delaware River. 23 trails, night skiing, and tubing. The most beginner-friendly of the Pocono mountains.
Blue Mountain Resort — On the southern edge of the Poconos. The longest run in PA at 6,400 feet and a respectable 1,082 feet of vertical drop.
Snowtubing — Multiple dedicated snowtubing parks beyond the ski resorts. Blue Mountain, Camelback, and Pocono Snake & Animal Farm all run tubing parks.
Summer Activities
When the snow melts, the Poconos pivot to lakes, rivers, and trails.
Whitewater Rafting — The Lehigh River Gorge has Class II-III rapids running spring through fall. Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Pocono Whitewater are the established outfitters running half-day, full-day, and family-friendly trips.
Lake Wallenpaupack — The region’s largest lake at 13 miles long. Boating, fishing, jet skiing, and lakeside dining. Boat rentals from multiple marinas around the lake.
Lake Harmony & Pocono Lake — Smaller, quieter lake options for kayaking, paddleboarding, and shoreline cabins.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — Where the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Ridge. 70,000 acres of protected land with hiking, canoeing, swimming holes, and scenic views. Free entry.
Hiking — The Appalachian Trail passes through the Poconos. Mount Tammany (a 4-mile loop with cliff views over the Delaware Water Gap), Hawk Falls, and the Glen Onoko Falls trail are top picks.
Mountain Biking — Blue Mountain and Camelback both convert to bike parks in summer. Lift-served downhill, cross-country, and beginner trails.
Pocono Raceway — NASCAR’s “Tricky Triangle.” Two NASCAR weekends per year plus IndyCar, ARCA, and amateur racing events.
For more outdoor planning, check our Poconos adventure & outdoor page.
Waterfalls
The Poconos have over 100 named waterfalls. The standouts:
Bushkill Falls — “The Niagara of Pennsylvania.” Eight waterfalls accessible by hiking trails and boardwalks. The main falls drop 100 feet. $16 adults. Multiple trail options ranging from a 15-minute loop to a 2-hour hike covering all eight falls.
Raymondskill Falls — The tallest waterfall in PA at 178 feet. Free. Located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. A short walk from the parking area.
Dingmans Falls — A 130-foot waterfall accessible via a flat boardwalk trail (wheelchair-friendly). Free.
Hawk Falls — Inside Hickory Run State Park. A short hike to a 25-foot waterfall and natural swimming hole.
Hickory Run State Park’s Boulder Field — Not a waterfall but worth mentioning — a 16-acre field of boulders left from the last ice age that looks completely surreal.
Family Activities
Kalahari Resort — America’s largest indoor waterpark. Massive slides, a FlowRider, lazy river, swim-up bar, and a full resort complex. Year-round destination regardless of weather.
Great Wolf Lodge — The other major indoor waterpark resort. Family-focused with character experiences and a smaller-than-Kalahari but solid waterpark.
Pocono Raceway Tours — Drive a real NASCAR vehicle on the track or take a fan-experience tour.
Country Junction — One of the largest country stores in America. Petting zoo, train rides, ice cream, and quirky old-fashioned charm.
Claws ‘N’ Paws Wild Animal Park — Drive-through and walking safari park with exotic animals.
Ricketts Glen State Park — Just outside the Poconos. The Falls Trail passes 21 named waterfalls in a 7.2-mile loop — one of the best hiking experiences in the eastern US.
For more family ideas: Poconos with kids and family.
Restaurants Worth the Trip
Casual: Hickory Valley Farm Restaurant (a Pocono institution), Sarah Street Grill in Stroudsburg, Big Daddy’s Bar & Grill at Lake Harmony.
Mid-Range: Cooperage Project in Honesdale, The Settlers Inn in Hawley (farm-to-table in a historic inn), Chestnut Hill in Stroudsburg.
Splurge: The Castle Inn at Pocono Manor, the resort dining at Skytop Lodge, and the Stone Bar Inn for white-tablecloth Pennsylvania-Dutch country dining.
Breakfast: Pocono Bagels, Big Daddy’s, and any of the resort breakfast buffets. See our Poconos breakfast and brunch picks.
Day Trips From the Poconos
New York City — 90 minutes east. Easy day trip if you have a car or want to take a bus.
Philadelphia — 2 hours south. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks.
Hershey, PA — 2.5 hours southwest. Hersheypark amusement park and Chocolate World.
Jim Thorpe — 1 hour from most Pocono resorts. The “Switzerland of America” historic mountain town with Victorian architecture, mansions, and a steam train through the Lehigh Gorge.
Lancaster County (Amish Country) — 2.5 hours southwest. Buggy rides, farms, and Pennsylvania-Dutch culture.
Catskills, NY — 1 hour north. More mountains, more hiking, and a different vibe from the Poconos.
For more options, see Poconos day trips.
Free Things to Do in the Poconos
- Delaware Water Gap (free entry, free parking, miles of trails)
- Raymondskill Falls (free)
- Dingmans Falls (free)
- Lake Wallenpaupack scenic shoreline drives
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (small admission for visitor center, but trail is free)
- Self-guided driving tours of the historic resorts
- Hickory Run State Park including the Boulder Field
Full list at our Poconos free things to do guide.
Pocono Resort Stays
The Poconos have one of the highest concentrations of vacation club and timeshare resorts on the East Coast. Promotional stays start from $215 for 4 nights / 5 days and include a 90-120 minute resort presentation.
Available Resort Properties:
- Wyndham Resort at Shawnee Village — Multi-bedroom suites with full kitchens, indoor and outdoor pools, golf course, and Delaware River access
- Split Rock Resort — Lakefront resort on Lake Harmony with H2Oooohh indoor waterpark, multiple restaurants, and full resort amenities
- Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Great Smokies Lodge — Family-focused with multiple pool complexes
- The Lodge at Woodloch — Luxury wellness resort option for upscale getaways
View Poconos Timeshare Promotions →
Vacation Deals
💰 Save on Your Poconos Stay
Qualified visitors can stay at resort-quality properties in Poconos for a fraction of the retail rate — in exchange for attending a 90-to-120-minute vacation ownership preview.
Packages from $215
Call (888) 988-2256 — Check Availability
Must be 26+, meet household income requirements, and attend a presentation about vacation ownership. No obligation to purchase. Full details →
View Poconos Timeshare Promotions →