10 Best Things to Do in the Pocono Mountains

The Asa Packer Mansion is a historic house museum that was once the home of Asa Packer, a coal and railway magnate. One of the best examples of an Italianate villa in the country, the Asa Packer Mansion features original Victorian furnishings and decor. During a tour, you’ll see fascinating examples of period furnishings like marble fireplaces, gilded mirrors, Gothic trefoil motifs, and window arches. The tour includes 18 rooms throughout 3 stories and a 2-story covered porch, all lavishly decorated.

Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark is a sprawling water park in Big Pocono State Park, close to the Camelback Mountain Resort. You’ll find a variety of water attractions here, including 35 waterslides, a lazy river, an Olympic pool, and family raft rides. There’s also Flowrider, a surf simulation ride that teaches you to ride waves. The Sullivan Sky Ride is a popular attraction that uses a winter ski lift to give guests a ride up the mountain to see views of the landscape and wildlife.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is a scenic train ride that takes you through the majestic landscape of the Pocono Mountains. During a ride, you’ll see the Lehigh River, Glen Onoko, and the landscape of Lehigh Gorge State Park, which includes mountain peaks, cliffs, waterways, forest, and wildlife. While you ride, a local guide tells stories of the region and highlights landmarks along the way. The train ride lasts about 70 minutes and follows a loop that brings you back to the departure point.

Hawk Falls is a stunning natural waterfall in Hickory Run State Park that’s accessible on a beautiful, 0.6-mile hike. During the hike, you’ll cross footbridges and pass rhododendron thickets, dense wilderness, and plenty of wildlife. When you reach the falls, you’ll have an opportunity to hike up the side of the waterfall to take in the views and take photographs of the falls and the surrounding area. Though the hike is short, it has some challenging areas that may be difficult for inexperienced hikers.

Seven Tubs Nature Area is a recreation area with picturesque scenery and an easy hiking environment for beginners. The “tubs” were formed by glacial meltwater that created a line of pools in the sandstone. Though the air temperature gets cooler near the tubs, they offer a refreshing swim on a hot day. A hiking trail travels along the tubs up the mountain and offers a relaxing experience with wildflowers, numerous bird species, and small mammals like foxes, bats, and weasels. You may also see deer or black bears near the tubs.

Resica Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Pocono Mountains that’s accessible from an easy trail. The waterfall is around 25-30 feet high and 50-60 feet wide, making for a stunning sight. One of the unique features of Resica Falls is the separate streams of water that flow into a pool together. Once you reach the falls, there are designated roped-off viewing areas to check out the falls from different angles and vantage points, such as from above, at the base, and from each side.

Bushkill Falls is a group of waterfalls that descend the mountains and offer a scenic and beautiful hiking area. The tallest falls are over 100 feet high and are accessible via stairs and a boardwalk. The water for the falls comes from Little Bushkill Creek and Pond Run Creek, forming Bushkill Falls, Bridesmaid Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Laurel Glen Falls, Pennell Falls, and 3 others. You can use multiple hiking trails to reach the falls, all suited to different skill levels.

Glen Onoko Falls Trail is a 1.7-mile loop trail that travels to a scenic waterfall in Lehigh Gorge State Park in Jim Thorpe. The hike has many challenging areas, including steep rock faces and slippery areas, so it’s best for experienced hikers. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail, giving you a chance to get your dog out for a day of fun in the wilderness. Once you reach the falls, you’ll be rewarded with stunning wilderness views and photo opportunities.

Kalahari Resort’s indoor and outdoor water parks offer a fun experience for the whole family in any season. The parks have a variety of rides for all ages, such as speed slides with steep plunges, family raft slides, twisting slides, and kid-friendly slides with themes and splash areas. The kids will also like Coral Cove, a zero-depth-entry water play area with mini basketball, waterslides, and more. Another popular attraction is the Flowrider surf simulator, which gives you a chance to ride the big waves on a bodyboard or surfboard.

Boulder Field is a sprawling natural landmark in Hickory Run State Park that’s been around for over 20,000 years. Boulder Field is flat and free from vegetation but features several boulders that are almost 26 feet long. The field measures 400 feet by 1,800 feet, all of which is covered in ancient rocks. You can reach the field via hiking trails in the park that pass through a diverse landscape that includes dense forest, rocky inclines, waterfalls, and creeks teeming with local wildlife.