Visitors of all ages can indulge their inner explorer, naturalist, or water sports enthusiast at several nearby parks, wildlife preserves, trails, and other natural attractions. Arrange fun outings, such as hiking or a train ride through the region's beautiful scenery. Visit a living history museum in the morning, then spend the day camping and eating at one of our restaurants.
You can go skiing or ride one of our all-terrain vehicles to work up a sweat. The Pocono Mountains are a great site to start your next big adventure. You get to decide, and any of these options could lead to a fantastic trip to the Poconos.
Top 10 Things to Do In the Poconos
1. Visit Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park is an excellent destination for city dwellers seeking a day of tranquility in the great outdoors. Many great hiking paths here will take you through beautiful scenery, including woods, lakes, and mountains. The Shades of Death trek is a must-do if you're in Hickory Run. Taking its name from the rugged terrain that early settlers faced, this path takes hikers along a picturesque creek and past the well-known Stametz Dam cascade.
The massive 16-acre Hickory Run Boulder Field, which is entirely ringed by evergreens, is another feature of this park that stands out. It's a National Natural Landmark for a reason: it'll blow your mind. On a hot day, you can go disc golfing or hang out at the beach and swim in the lake.
2. Pocono Mountains ZipLine
Jump off the ledge and into the unknown for a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won't soon forget. The Pocono Mountains are home to several thrilling ZipLine adventures. Explore the region like never before as you float above the rivers, parks, and forests! Take in the sights while flying by yourself, or challenge a friend to a friendly competition. The best way to see the Pocono Mountains is from atop a zip line. Are you prepared to dive in? Here are several places in the Pocono Mountains where you can go ziplining.
3. Camelback Mountain Adventures
There are more than a hundred different aerial obstacles, such as tight ropes, ziplining, swaying bridges, transport nets, and tree houses, on Camelback Mountain Adventures' treetop course. Following your time in the air, you can ride the Appalachian Express Mountain Coaster, go for a thrill on the zip lines, test your strength on the climbing wall, and enjoy a day of indoor tubing at Sunbowl Tubing, or fly through the air on the Euro Bungee.
4. Jet Skiing
Water skiing and jet skiing are extreme activities that will pump your heart in the open water. There is nothing to spoil the experience for either novices or seasoned pros; these pursuits are ideal for those in search of pure adventure. Maintain your balance as you put your water skiing talents to the test. Experience the thrill of flying across the water on a jet ski. Lake Wallenpaupack, in the Pocono Mountains, is the best place to go water skiing or jet skiing because it is 13 miles long and 5,700 acres large.
5. Play in the Treetops
Pocono adventure parks allow guests of all ages to enjoy exciting treetops and airborne pursuits. Use rope bridges to traverse the treetops, overcome challenges in the woods, or fly down the mountainside on a zipline. The most incredible method to create lasting memories with loved ones is visiting an adventure park for the first time. Visit Skytop Lodge's Adventure Center to enjoy the outdoors.
6. Go Horseback Riding
The Pocono Mountains are a fantastic location to give your kids who have been wanting to go horseback riding their first taste of the experience. Meet up with a new pal at the local stables and take your horse for a ride in the scenic countryside. The stables at Bushkill and Happy Trails are great for first-timers since they provide both lessons and guided trail rides through beautiful scenery.
7. Meet Animals of Various Sizes and Shapes
Visit the Poconos and get up close and personal with exotic animals from all over the world. Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including Jethro, the friendly giraffe, alligators, lions, and warthogs. Take in the large sunbathing cats, have a good laugh with the monkeys, and even help feed the parrots. The "Fluterrarium'' at Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary is home to various rare and fascinating creatures, including frogs, axolotls, toads, and more. The alpacas at Pohopoco Creek Alpacas can be met in person if you contact the farm and make an appointment.
8. Head to the County Fair
In August and the first week of September, the towns of the Pocono Mountains host four traditional county fairs. Many of these fairs have been held for almost a century and feature exciting carnival rides, tasty cuisine, animal exhibits, musical performances, demolition derbies, and much more. There is a wealth of kid-friendly activities to enjoy this summer in the Poconos, not only at the fairs.
9. Go Whitewater Rafting
Enjoy the thrill of the whitewater on your summer vacation in the Poconos. Get out on the lake and take in some spectacular scenery, explore the area, and pick up some interesting facts along the way. Lehigh Gorge State Park is a popular whitewater rafting destination due to the park's river canyon, which features dramatic vertical walls. Whitewater rafting tours may be found in plenty in the region. There are several options for rafting tours in and around Jim Thorpe, a charming town with great restaurants and cozy inns to spend the night.
10. Pocono Mountains Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding is a great way to exercise your core and improve your coordination. Put your feet up on a surfboard and paddle over the water. Stand-up paddleboarding on the Delaware River and Lake Wallenpaupack is a great way to enjoy the area's natural splendor. Stand-up paddling, or SUP, is a fun and effective way to get in shape without putting too much strain on your body. Rental outfitters offer stand-up paddleboarding opportunities on the Delaware River and Lake Wallenpaupack.
The weather is pleasant, the birds are many, and the wildflowers are in full bloom in the Poconos throughout the summer, making it one of the greatest seasons to visit. The Pocono Mountains are home to a wide variety of exciting activities.