The Pocono Mountains cover a broad plateau in northeastern Pennsylvania, and first-time visitors often arrive without a clear picture of how the pieces fit. The region has waterfalls, rivers, ski slopes, giant waterparks, a Victorian railroad town and a legendary race track, all within roughly an hour of one another. It is also close to major cities, which is why so many weekend trips begin in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. This guide sorts the Poconos into a few zones and helps you decide what deserves your time.
Understand the zones
The central Poconos around Tannersville, Scotrun, Pocono Manor and Mount Pocono hold the big resorts, the waterparks and the ski areas, as well as Pocono Raceway nearby. The eastern edge, around Stroudsburg and Shawnee on Delaware, leads to the Delaware Water Gap and the river outfitters. The southern and western reaches around Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge hold rafting, the scenic railway and Hickory Run State Park. The northern Poconos around Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack are quieter, with lakes, inns and family resorts. Distances look small on a map but can take longer on winding roads.
Start with the signature outdoors
If you want one waterfall, choose Bushkill Falls for its boardwalk trails and variety. If you want the greatest range of outdoor experiences, spend time in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where trails, beaches, boat launches and falls such as Dingmans and Raymondskill are all within reach. Add a river float on the Delaware in summer, or a guided Lehigh River rafting trip for something more adventurous.
Spend a day in Jim Thorpe
The town is the Poconos at its most charming, a steep Victorian settlement of mansions, churches and shops in a river gorge. A phone-guided walking tour is a good introduction, and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway adds scenery on the days it runs. Eat lunch in town, wander the side streets and consider staying overnight to enjoy the evening quiet. Autumn weekends are the busiest, so arrive early.
Decide whether you want a resort
The Poconos are famous for family resorts with indoor waterparks. Camelback, Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari are the best known, and each can anchor an entire weekend. If you travel with young children or want guaranteed fun in any weather, choose one of them. If you prefer quiet and nature, skip the waterparks and stay at an inn, a historic lodge or a lake property instead.
Add one adventure
For travelers who want something different, the region offers guided ATV tours, rock climbing and rappelling, paintball, stock car ride-alongs at Pocono Raceway and scenic flights over the Water Gap. Pick one that matches your group, since most are half-day activities that need booking ahead. They pair well with a quieter day of waterfalls or town wandering.
Plan for the car
Public transport is limited, and distances between attractions are best covered by car. Parking at popular sights such as Jim Thorpe, Bushkill Falls and the Delaware Water Gap fills on summer and autumn weekends, so aim to arrive in the morning. Mobile coverage can be patchy in valleys and gorges, so download maps ahead of time.
Think about seasons
Spring brings full waterfalls and rafting. Summer offers rivers, lakes, outdoor waterparks and long days. Autumn gives some of the best foliage in the Northeast. Winter brings skiing, snow tubing and cozy lodge stays. Each season changes what is open, so check seasonal schedules for the railway, falls and smaller attractions.
A balanced first trip
Day one: arrive, visit Bushkill Falls or the Delaware Water Gap, and settle into your lodging. Day two: Jim Thorpe, with a walking tour, lunch and, if the schedule fits, the scenic railway or a rafting trip. Day three: a resort day at a waterpark or an adventure activity, then home. That covers the best of the region without rushing, and leaves room for a spontaneous detour to a lake or a town.
Eat and shop locally
The region has more to offer at the table than first-time visitors expect. Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg, Milford and Hawley each have cafes, pubs and restaurants with a local following, and farm stands, wineries and craft breweries appear along the back roads from late spring through autumn. Outlet shopping around Tannersville is a popular rainy-day activity. Plan at least one meal in a small town rather than eating every dinner at a resort, since it gives a better sense of the place and often costs less.
Budget wisely
Resort stays and adventure activities are the biggest expenses, while the best natural attractions are free or inexpensive. Midweek stays are significantly cheaper than weekends, and shoulder seasons offer the best value. Consider mixing one splurge, such as a resort night, with lower-cost stays at a chain hotel or inn.
