Anchored by thick forested peaks and known for its bounty of skiing and other cold-weather activities, Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains region is actually a prime place to visit any time of year.
Outdoor adventurers will love the scenic hiking trails and ample birdwatching. The area’s lakes and rivers attract boaters and watersports enthusiasts, while the resorts and waterparks dotting the region will appeal to families with kids of all ages.
Here’s our guide to the best things to do in the Poconos – from sipping craft beer to tasting farm-fresh cheese – all throughout the year.
Go ziplining in Kittatinny
Make like the bald eagles and peregrine falcons that call this area home and soar over the treetops on a zipline. The area is home to several places to hook on, including Kittatinny, located near the Delaware River, which lets adventurers fly down a private mountain 150ft in the air at speeds up to 60mph.
The Treetop Adventure Course at Skytop Lodge, about 45 minutes from Scranton, PA, is over 3000ft of elevated bridges and challenging (but delightfully fun) obstacles. Open in the warmer months, check before visiting for age and height requirements.
Glide down a mountain
Pennsylvanians come from all over the state each winter to queue up at lift lines and zip down the slopes at mountains such as Jack Frost and Big Boulder, Shawnee, and Camelback.
Each resort offers well-maintained trails, rental equipment, and ski lessons, plus amenities like bars, restaurants, and lockers for day visits. Novices can also learn the basics before heading out on the bunny hills. Some mountains, like Big Boulder, offer night skiing.
If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your things, some mountain resorts provide snow tubing, arcades, and even waterparks.
Splash in wave pools at indoor water parks
Prefer your tubing to be a little warmer? The Poconos region hosts a slew of indoor water parks with wave pools, splash pads, and water slides to zoom down with rafts or without – all in a balmy 84-degree winter oasis.
With its myriad slides, lazy river, pint-sized pools, character breakfasts, and a nightly pajama read-along for overnight guests, Great Wolf Lodge is ideal for families with younger kids. At Kalahari Resorts, try surfing or boogie boarding on the Flowrider five-foot wave simulator.
When the temperature rises, Camelback Mountain is also home to Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor water park, which opens each spring and summer.
Head to Lake Wallenpaupack for a day on the water
With over 150 lakes and several rivers, it’s easy to find a place in the Poconos to plunge in and paddle. Visitors who prefer a guided experience (or just need the equipment) will find plenty of adventure outfitters that offer a range of activities, from leisurely tubing and scenic kayaking or canoeing, to adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting.
Alternatively, BYOB (bring your own boat) and make for Lake Wallenpaupack, aka Lake Wally, with its six public recreation areas offering draws like public beaches, hiking trails, boat slips, and more. Jet skiers can seek out the lake’s Party Cove for a vibe that matches its name.
Roll the dice at the Mount Airy Casino Resort
There’s loads more on offer at the Mount Airy Casino Resort than placing bets, though there’s plenty of that too, from slot machines to a poker room.
The splashy Mount Pocono resort attracts couples, families, and groups of friends with its indoor and outdoor pools, golf course, and spa.
Restaurants and a roster of live entertainment, from concerts to comedy shows, are also a draw for visitors, whether they’re staying overnight or just in for an evening.
Go for a hike at Big Pocono State Park
The 1300-acre Big Pocono State Park features over eight miles of mountaintop hiking trails, with sweeping views of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania from its peaks. The park’s three picnic areas offer tables and charcoal grills, so pack provisions and enjoy lunch or dinner overlooking a stunning forested panorama.
Horseback riding and mountain biking are also permitted on certain trails, and there’s a diversity of flora and fauna – from blueberry bushes to mountain laurel and wildflowers – to admire. The park closes in winter and reopens in April.
The 400-acre Seven Tubs Recreation Area inside Pinchot State Forest gets its name from the potholes created by glacial meltwater. Hike one of two trails – the 0.3-mile main loop that takes you directly to the tubs, or the 1.8-mile Audubon Loop Trail that showcases more of the surrounding streams and mountains.
Sample craft beer and sake!
Award-winning beers, a spacious brewpub, and a kids’ menu make Wallenpaupack Brewing Company in Hawley, Pennsylvania a supremely family-friendly spot. In the summer, the sprawling outdoor beer garden features lawn games and picnic tables. When it comes to the menu, try some of the creative offerings, like jalapeno cream ale, pink guava IPA, and fruited sour.
In Honesdale, visit Here and Now Brewing for an ever-changing selection of IPAs made in small batches using seasonal and local ingredients. Open in the summertime, visit Second District Brew Farm for microbrews with a verdant view.
Looking for something a little different? Sango Kura is Pennsylvania’s first and only sake brewery and is located in Delaware Water Gap. Order a bottle of dry-hopped sake with a bowl of spicy pork bone marrow ramen made with handcrafted noodles.
Visit Bushkill Falls and its eight waterfalls
Also known as the “Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania,” Bushkill Falls features a series of eight waterfalls, along with a web of hiking trails set amid lush woodland.
Trails range from easy – the green trail takes about 15 minutes and doesn’t involve climbing – to more difficult options. The most arduous is the red trail, which takes about two hours to traverse roughly two miles, showcasing all eight falls.
Bushkill’s recreation area also includes fishing and paddle boating on Twin Lakes, picnic pavilions, and a sprawling kids’ playground – it closes in winter and reopens in spring.
Take a dip in the Delaware River
Delaware Water Gap is a National Recreation Area encompassing 70,000 acres around the Delaware River in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Besides hiking and biking trails, boating and fishing, swimming is a popular activity here, thanks to the area’s three accessible beaches.
On the PA side, Milford Beach and Smithfield Beach both have restroom facilities, boat launches, and picnic areas (there are no grills, but you can bring your own).
From the beach, there’s easy access to Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail, which offers beautiful river views for hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers of all levels.
Go fishing for trout at Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park features a notable boulder field with giant gray rocks that have remained unchanged for over 20,000 years. In addition to its stunning natural scenery, the park offers excellent fishing opportunities.
Some streams are stocked with brown and brook trout, and some have a native trout population. Hawk Run is classified as a Class A Wild Trout Stream.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a calendar of events, which includes classes like introduction to fly fishing. The free class meets at the park visitors center and provides essential gear and expert instructions on casting techniques, knot tying, and other basic skills.
Go for a horseback ride
The Poconos offer plenty of locations to saddle up for a guided tour. Bushkill Riding Stables in East Stroudsburg offers 30- to 45-minute trail rides year-round.
Daisy Field Farm, near White Haven, provides family trail rides accessible to all skill levels. Wagon and sleigh rides are also available when there’s snow.
Mountain Creek Riding Stables in Cresco caters to beginners and intermediate riders for its scenic, daily, and year-round forest trails.
Explore the historic town of Jim Thorpe
Named after Native American Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe, the charming town nestled along the Lehigh River is filled with history.
Stroll down Broadway and stop into shops like Somersault Letterpress to admire handcrafted cards made with vintage machines from the 1930s and 50s. At Wild Elder Wine & Cider Co., you can sample sparkling elderberry cider and indigenous grape wines. Be sure to try Donerds Donuts and their tasty handmade treats next door.
To trace the town’s history, visit the Asa Packer Mansion, a museum and former home of railroad magnate Asa Packer. Guided tours are available when the museum is open, from April to November.
Before leaving, enjoy dinner at Notch Eight Craft House, where dishes like smoked brisket tacos and cheesy tots pair well with locally crafted beers and spirits.
Note: Although Thorpe is buried in Pennsylvania, his relatives have unsuccessfully petitioned for his remains to be returned to Oklahoma.
Sip locally made spirits
Several Poconos distilleries offer tasting rooms where you can sample crafted spirits. At Silverback Distillery, a mother-daughter duo produces small-batch bourbon and citrus-infused gin. Visit the tasting room in East Stroudsburg for cocktail flights, and bring your own snacks to enjoy with your drinks.
At Barley Creek Distillery in Tannersville, try small-batch vodka, whiskey, and moonshine, along with a line of ready-to-drink canned cocktails.
Sorrenti Family Estate is the oldest winery in the Poconos, offering not only wines but also spirits and delicious wood-fired pizzas. Visit the tasting room, and on warmer days, enjoy the outdoor veranda.
Shop for farm-fresh provisions
A bounty of farmers and makers offers a true taste of the region from roadside farm stands and small shops. Check out Village Farmer and Bakery in Delaware Water Gap for over 30 varieties of pies, including cherry, apple crumb, and shoofly, made fresh daily.
Pocono Organics in Blakeslee is North America’s largest regenerative organic-certified farm. Browse the market for fresh groceries, and enjoy lunch at the café with chef-crafted soups and salads.
At Calkins Creamery in Honesdale, you can meet the cows that supply milk for their cave-aged cheeses, and sample various options before stocking up on wheels of Noblette, a buttery brie-style cheese.
