Pocono Mountains
The Poconos is a mountain area in northeastern Pennsylvania. It is 2,400 square miles of wooded mountains and valleys full of beautiful lakes, rivers, forests and wildlife. It has long been popular with honeymooners, but today the Poconos are a popular destination for families, skiers, adventure seekers, NASCAR fans, and those from urban areas around New England, New York City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, from where the region is quickly accessible by car. The Poconos are one of the most southern major ski areas in the United States.
Regions
- Monroe County
- Pike County
- Wayne County
Cities
The region is dominated by many small towns.
Several towns within the Pocono region include:
- 1 Stroudsburg — The seat of Monroe County and the gateway to the Poconos for many arriving from the New Jersey and New York areas.
- 2 East Stroudsburg - Twin city of Stroudsburg.
- 3 Hawley — A small town located north of I-84. Nearby manmade Lake Wallenpaupack offers camping, boating and fishing. Woodloch Pines Resorts is a few miles from town.
- Mount Pocono — A large town in the central Poconos at the junction of PA 940 and PA 611.
- 4 Shawnee-On-Delaware — North and east of Stroudsburg.
- 5 Sterling
- 6 Tannersville — A town west of Stroudsburg on I-80 that is home to the Crossings premium outlets and the Great Wolf Lodge, a resort with a large indoor waterpark.
Other destinations
- 1 Bushkill Falls is also known as The "Niagara of Pennsylvania".
Understand
Climate
The climate of the Pocono Mountains is not unlike many other areas of the Northeast. Each season has its own weather characteristics that make the Poconos unique. People love the Northeast because they can experience the beauty each season offers throughout the year.
Spring
After the cold winter, the blossoming flowers and fresh warm air make it perfect for any outdoor activity. The temperatures are moderate and there is always the chance of rainfall. The spring offers numerous outdoor activities like canoeing, golf, whitewater rafting, mountain biking,fishing, horseback riding or anything you can think of! The tree-lined mountains are full of Mountain Laurel blossoms and the surroundings are green and thriving.
Summer
The heat comes in during the summer months of June, July, and August. The temperatures can often reach into the 90s (F) and rarely exceed 100 °F (38 °C). The humidity can be very high which makes it more compelling to engage in cool water activities like like visiting the crystal clear lakes. Lake Wallenpaupack, one of Pennsylvania's larges lakes, or any of Pocono mountain's 150 lakes is the perfect place to relax and take a dip, fish, water ski, or sail. The Pocono Raceway has two NASCAR race weekends, one in early June and one in late July/early August, and an IndyCar race weekend in August.
Fall
Autumn is a popular time to visit the Poconos, to see the fall foliage as the leaves begin to turn. There are three different zones of color you can see during the change. To help catch the perfect areas to witness these different beautiful changes you can call the Pocono Mountain fall foliage hot line at +1 570 421-5565. The daytime temperatures are cool as nighttime can get colder. There are many delightful scenic driving routes through the Pocono Mountains and activities include horseback riding, bird watching, hiking, or a chairlift ride at the many ski resorts.
Winter
Winter gets cold! The region tends to have several large snowstorms per winter, with the greatest chance for snow being from late December to mid March. Winter in the Poconos is best known for its skiing. The mountains and terrain offer the perfect opportunity to cross country or downhill ski, snowboard, ice skating, snowmobiling, snow tubing, and tobogganing. There are over 146 slopes and trails.
Talk
To people in the western half of the United States, the accent of this subregion is often confused for the New York accent, whereas within the region, New Yorkers would consider the residents to speak with a backwater/rural inflection. Massive gentrification from New England makes the English spoken here indicative of a sort of "pan-Northeastern" accent, a hodgepodge of other NE accents which prevails here.
Get in
By plane
The closest airport to fly into is the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca, Pennsylvania. The airport is served by American, Delta, and United. There is direct service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Chicago, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. A bit farther away, Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), is larger and offers a wider range of destinations. The nearest major hubs are in Philadelphia and New York, each a couple hours away by car.
By car
The best way to get into the Poconos is by car. From the east or west, I-80 is best, but PA 940 and PA 611 provides parallel access to local attractions From the north, I-81 is best. From the south, I-476, I-81 or Route 33 is best.
Many tourists come from nearby major cities, particularly New York City and Philadelphia.
By bus
Martz Trailways (+1-800-233-8604) has a few stations in the Poconos, mainly in Mount Pocono and the Pocono exit (95) off the turnpike.
By train
As of 2022, there is no passenger rail service to Northeastern Pennsylvania. However, New Jersey Transit has begun rehabilitation of the Lackawanna Cut-Off, with service to Andover, New Jersey expected to be restored by 2026. NJT and Amtrak are studying the possibility of extending the rehabilitation project into Northeast Pennsylvania, which would provide service to Scranton and Stroudsburg from New York City.
Get around
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The Poconos are a large area, with little public transportation. There are buses and taxis that one can take, but it would be a better idea to travel by car. Routes 115 & 940 are excellent ways to see "real" side of the Poconos. Interstates 80 & 380 are easy ways to get from point A to B as well. Be warned, a lot of wildlife like to get in the way (notably including deer), so keep a watchful eye when you venture out!
By car
Since public transportation is lacking, privately driving becomes the main source of an individual's mode of transportation.
See
Hickory Run State Park is a very good place to go if you like hiking and being in nature. The Boulder Field is amazing; it's the remnants of a glacier that moved through the area. Camping is nice there, too. There are 44 miles of trails, suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Hawk Falls Trail (.6 miles) meanders through walls of rhododendrons, ending at a beautiful 25 ft waterfall. The Poconos is also home to some of the best skiing in Pennsylvania. The Appalachian Trail cuts through the Poconos as well. There are countless parks, lakes, streams, so plan a few days up in the area, one day is not enough.
Lake Henry is in the southern part of Wayne County, home to more lakes than any other county in the state. The lake ranges in depth from 5 feet to 30 feet and is a popular fishing and boating venue. The lake has many private cottages along its shores and some undeveloped areas. It has a seasonal campground and boat launch, Clayton Park Recreational Area located at the northern end of the lake. Offering the pure and simple pleasures of camping, fishing and boating on beautiful Lake Henry in Wayne County, home to more lakes than any other county in the state. Mix in some activities like the delightful weekend campfire music, good friends and lots of peaceful fresh air and you get a hand prepared recipe for summer relaxation and getting away from it all. Lots of wildlife, including eagles, herons, beavers, otters, and minks spend their summers fishing and playing around these waters.
Do
The Poconos offer a wide range of recreational activities and intriguing attractions.
There are several ski resorts, amusement parks, numerous campgrounds and many natural and man-made lakes to include: Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Naomi, Penn Lake, Lake Henry and others. Wayne County, in the northeast corner of the state is home to more lakes than any other county in the state. Activities include hunting, fishing, camping, boating, golf and more. There is excellent trout Fishing in the Lehigh River and several other streams. Pocono Downs offers horse racing and Pocono Motor Speedway is on the NASCAR circuit.
Hiking is a popular activity for visitors. Lehigh Gorge State Park has access points at Glen Onoko (near Jim Thorpe) and Rockport (off PA 940 near White Haven). Hiking the various trails around the park offer spectacular views of the Lehigh River below.
The northern parts of Poconos offer excellent hiking as well, in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Several waterfalls, including the well known Bushkill Falls, are short to medium distance hikes from main roads. Varden Conservation Area offers a newly added set of trails to explore.
Situated on 5,500 gorgeous acres, the historic Main Lodge, the Inn at Skytop, and cottages offer luxurious accommodations and superb service. Whatever the season, Skytop offers a multitude of outdoor recreational activities, from award winning golf and tennis, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, fly-fishing, sporting clays and skeet shooting to down-hill or cross-country skiing, and ice skating. There's always something happening at Skytop. The resort combines rustic charm with an aura of unmistakable gentility. It’s a step back in time. Built in 1928, Skytop is the perfect place for family getaways or business meetings. There is a calendar of theme weekend events at their website .
The Buck Hill-Skytop Music Festival is the leading classical music and dance venue, with educational programming throughout the year and a 3-week summer festival. Performances include Opera, Chamber Music, Dance, Broadway, and Jazz.
The Fernwood Hotel & Resort sits on 440-acres and provides a picturesque backdrop for vacation memories. Surrounded by the rolling hills of Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, this year-round resort offers a host of activities and amenities. Ranging from an 18-hole par 71 golf course, full service meeting facilities, a winter fun recreation where one can go snowtubing, themed restaurants, live entertainment, fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, and a planned schedule of daily activities for guests of all ages; every interest is tailored to at the Fernwood Hotel.
Save time for outlet shopping in Tannersville at The Crossings Premium Outlets.
Pocono Palace offers an endless array of activities and sports and accommodations View a list of specials at Pocono Palace.
The Pocono Raceway is a great place to see the most popular watched sport in America, NASCAR The raceway has been around since 1968. After some problems in construction it was rebuilt in 1990 and ever since has been the host of 2 NASCAR races a year, one in early June and the other in late July/early August. Pocono Raceway also hosts an IndyCar race in August.
Located off route 209 in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. The Pocono Indian Museum is the only museum in Northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to showing the history of the Delaware Indian. The Pocono Indian Museum traces the history of the Delawares through displays of ancient artifacts, weapons, and tools that form chronological commentary on life among the Indians for thousands of years.
Gamble
The Pocono Region is home to two brand new casinos, Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre, and Mount Airy in Mount Pocono. Another casino, Sands Casino Resort, is located south of the area in Bethlehem.
Ski
The Poconos are one of the most easily accessible ski areas in the Northeast. They are located close to both Philadelphia and New York. All of the Poconos skiing have night skiing which means they are open usually from about 8AM to 10PM. Despite having many good trails and facilities, the conditions in the Poconos are less than perfect and tend to be on the icy side. The Poconos have many major ski areas including:
- Alpine Mountain.
- Big Bear.
- Big Boulder.
- Blue Mountain.
- Camelback.
- Elk Mountain.
- Jack Frost.
- Shawnee.
- Snö Mountain.
- Tanglwood.
- 1 H2Oooohh! Indoor Waterpark (Lake Harmony).
State Parks
- Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road Greentown. Fishing and boating in two lakes, rustic cabins, camping, and hiking trails. Free.
- Tobyhanna State Park, 114 Campground Rd, Tobyhanna. The 5,440-acre park includes the 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake. Free.
- Big Pocono State Park, 980 Camelback Rd, Tannersville. 1,306 acres of rugged terrain on the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain and features scenic views of three states.
- Gouldsboro State Park, 114 Campground Rd Tobyhanna. 2,800 acre park popular for fishing and boating.
Eat
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There are a ton of good restaurants in the area.
Drink
- Robert Christian's on 940 offers good food, drink, and company. Favorite watering hole of Bob Kasper.
- Piggy's Restaurant, 91 North Lake Drive, Lake Harmony. Known for its breakfasts.
The Pocono Wine Trail includes wineries in Monroe and Northampton counties. The Monroe County wineries are listed below.
- Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery, 239 Blue Ridge Rd, Saylorsburg.
- Big Creek Vineyard, 120 Keller Rd, Kunkletown.
- Mountain View Vineyard, Winery, Brewery & Distillery, 2332 Walters Rd, Stroudsburg.
- Sorrenti Family Estate Winery, Distillery & Pizzeria, 130 Lower Cherry Valley Rd, Saylorsburg.
Sleep
The Poconos has a wide range of places to stay while visiting. There are homes to rent, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, country inns, guests house, campgrounds and resorts.
Stay safe
If you choose to go hunting always wear a bright color to stand out from the surroundings as hunting accidents can occur. Pennsylvania State law mandates at least a total of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the front and back of the body, or alternatively a hat that is completely fluorescent orange when hunting deer or bear. Always remember to use common sense when hunting!
Many attractions that draw people to the Pocono region can be dangerous. When participating in whitewater rafting, water skiing, or boating, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is a good idea. Helmets are recommended for skiing and snowboarding. Also, use care when hiking as some areas have steep drop offs.
When camping, never leave food outside for extended periods of time, as this can attract raccoons, opossum, and especially bears. Although black bears are much more docile than most other bear species, they can be dangerous. Never get between a bear and its young. Bears can often be scared off by loud noises.