Bushkill Falls
Often called the Niagara of Pennsylvania, this privately run park strings eight waterfalls along boardwalk trails and bridges, with routes from a quick loop to a longer wander through the gorge.
Pennsylvania
Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains are the Northeast's classic weekend escape: a forested plateau of waterfalls, rivers and lakes within a couple of hours of New York and Philadelphia.
This is the place for Bushkill Falls and the boardwalk walks of the Delaware Water Gap, for rafting the Lehigh Gorge from the Victorian railroad town of Jim Thorpe, for ski slopes and snow tubing at Camelback, and for some of the largest indoor waterparks in the country. It also has a racetrack called the Tricky Triangle, scenic flights, off-road trails and quiet lakeside inns. This guide helps you choose the right zone, the right activities and the right place to stay, from historic lodges to family resorts.
Don't miss
Bushkill Falls
Often called the Niagara of Pennsylvania, this privately run park strings eight waterfalls along boardwalk trails and bridges, with routes from a quick loop to a longer wander through the gorge.
Jim Thorpe Historic Walking Tour
A self-paced, phone-guided walk through the steep Victorian streets of Jim Thorpe, the old coal and rail town nicknamed the Switzerland of America, with stories of mansions, mule trains and the Molly Maguires.
Pocono Raceway
The Tricky Triangle in Long Pond, a 2.5-mile superspeedway that hosts NASCAR and other racing weekends and offers track experiences when the grandstands are quiet.
Stock Car Ride-Along at Pocono Raceway
Ride as a passenger beside a professional driver for several laps of the Pocono Raceway superspeedway in a real stock car, with longer drive and ride packages available.
Things to do in Pocono Mountains
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Jim Thorpe Historic Walking Tour
A self-paced, phone-guided walk through the steep Victorian streets of Jim Thorpe, the old coal and rail town nicknamed the Switzerland of America, with stories of mansions, mule trains and the Molly Maguires.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
Excursion trains leave from the historic Jim Thorpe station and roll along the Lehigh River through a wooded gorge, with the autumn foliage trips among the most popular outings in the region.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
A long, free-to-explore stretch of the Delaware River valley on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey line, with ridge hikes, swimming beaches, waterfalls, canoe launches and the Appalachian Trail.
Half day to several daysDetails →
Dingmans Falls and Raymondskill Falls
Two of the best waterfall walks inside the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: a boardwalk to the tall, slender Dingmans Falls and a short climb to the multi-tiered Raymondskill cascades.
1 to 3 hoursDetails →
Lehigh River Whitewater Rafting
Guided rafting through the Lehigh Gorge out of Jim Thorpe, with family-friendly runs on regular days and bigger water on scheduled dam-release weekends.
Delaware River Tubing, Canoeing and Kayaking
Easy summer floats on the Delaware River by tube, canoe, kayak or raft, with outfitters near Delaware Water Gap handling the gear and shuttles.
Camelback Aquatopia and Camelbeach Waterparks
Camelback Resort runs a large indoor waterpark open year round and an outdoor summer waterpark, with slides, wave pools and lazy rivers on the mountain at Tannersville.
Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Waterpark
A themed family resort in Scotrun with a large indoor waterpark, an arcade, a kids spa and interactive games, built around a woodland lodge style that keeps small children busy.
Kalahari Resorts Poconos Indoor Waterpark
A huge African-themed resort near Pocono Manor with one of the largest indoor waterparks in the country, plus an outdoor park, an arcade, a spa and a convention center.
Camelback Mountain Skiing and Snow Tubing
One of the best known snow sports hubs in the Poconos, with skiing, snowboarding and one of the biggest snow tubing parks in the region, plus lessons and night sessions close to the New York and Philadelphia markets.
Pocono Raceway
The Tricky Triangle in Long Pond, a 2.5-mile superspeedway that hosts NASCAR and other racing weekends and offers track experiences when the grandstands are quiet.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$Camelback Resort
Tannersville
A full-service mountain resort in Tannersville with lodge rooms, an indoor waterpark, skiing and snow tubing in winter and a summer outdoor park, all on one property.
Check rates →
$$$Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains
Scotrun
A themed family lodge in Scotrun with an indoor waterpark, an arcade, a kids spa and suites with built-in play areas for children.
Check rates →Skytop Lodge
Skytop
A grand stone lodge opened in 1928 on thousands of acres of woodland, with golf, a spa, lake and trail activities, and a classic mountain resort atmosphere.
Check rates →Mount Airy Casino Resort
Mount Pocono
An adults-only casino resort in Mount Pocono with slots, table games, dining, a spa and golf nearby, set in the central Poconos and easy to reach from the highway.
Check rates →Woodloch Pines Resort
Hawley
A family-run resort near Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack that bundles lodging, meals and a long list of activities, suited to multi-generational trips and first-time resort families.
Check rates →Inn at Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe Historic District
A historic hotel on Broadway in the heart of Jim Thorpe, steps from shops, restaurants and the train station, with a Victorian atmosphere that matches the town.
Check rates →Hampton Inn Stroudsburg Poconos
Stroudsburg
A dependable chain hotel in the Stroudsburg area with free breakfast, an indoor pool and easy access to the Delaware Water Gap, outlets and the central Poconos highways.
Check rates →The Settlers Inn
Hawley
A charming Arts and Crafts-style inn in Hawley with a well-regarded restaurant, garden setting and quiet rooms, a short drive from Lake Wallenpaupack.
Check rates →The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Shawnee on Delaware
A riverside resort on the Delaware dating to 1911, with golf on the grounds, a spa, dining and a short drive to the Delaware Water Gap and Shawnee Mountain ski area.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Bushkill FallsStay
Camelback ResortTannersville
Do
Jim Thorpe Historic Walking TourStay
Inn at Jim ThorpeJim Thorpe Historic District
Do
Pocono RacewayStay
Great Wolf Lodge Pocono MountainsScotrun
While you are there
What’s on in Pocono Mountains
20+ concerts, shows and games are on sale in the coming months, from stadium nights to small rooms. Our sister site Purveyor lists them with dates, venues and seats.
Also nearby: Stroudsburg, Long Pond, Mount Pocono
Pocono Mountains guides
The Poconos for First-Timers: How the Region Fits Together and What to Book
A practical first-visit guide to the Pocono Mountains: how the region is laid out, the headline sights, the resorts and how to plan a first trip.
Three Days in the Poconos: A Balanced Itinerary for Nature, Towns and Fun
A three-day Poconos itinerary mixing waterfalls, Jim Thorpe, the Delaware Water Gap and one resort or adventure day.
Where to Stay in the Poconos: Resorts, Historic Inns and Smart Bases
A guide to choosing where to stay in the Poconos by zone and style, from waterpark resorts to historic inns and chain hotels.
Poconos Waterfalls and Hikes: The Best Walks, From Boardwalks to Boulder Fields
A guide to the best waterfalls and hikes in the Poconos, from easy boardwalk walks to the Boulder Field and guided day hikes.
The Poconos With Kids: Waterparks, Rivers, Rails and Family Adventures
A family guide to the Poconos: waterpark resorts, river floats, trains, easy waterfall walks and adventures for children and teens.
Best Time to Visit the Poconos: Seasons, Crowds and What Is Open
A season-by-season guide to the Poconos: waterfalls in spring, rivers in summer, foliage in autumn and skiing in winter.
