One of Pennsylvania's most popular recreation areas, the Pocono Mountains comprise a beautiful section of low-lying mountains that sprawl across the state's Northeast. Bracketed by the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, this accessible area delights with its many lake retreats, charming small towns, and forested terrain (as well as its proximity to major cities like Philadelphia and New York City). There are plenty of things to do in the Pocono Mountains all year round—in the summer, hiking, mountain biking, water parks, and fishing reign supreme, while in the winter, ski resorts like Camelback make it easy to hit the slopes.
Due to their spectacular natural beauty, the Poconos are truly a year-round destination. Summer is a popular time to rent a lakeside cabin, go whitewater rafting, or catch some of the family friendly events that take place at the Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark or the Poconos Raceway, while fall is the prime leaf-peeping season. In the winter, destinations like the Camelback Ski Resort cater to skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts searching for that perfect powder, and spring welcomes hikers and bikers eager to explore the fresh mountain trails.
The Pocono Mountains are located in northeastern Pennsylvania. It's roughly a 100-mile (161-kilometer) journey from Philadelphia and from New York City, the mountains are some 107 miles (172 kilometers) away. If you're using public transportation, the best bet are popular bus lines like Greyhound, which stop at popular Poconos hubs like Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono. Otherwise, traveling by car is often the easiest way to navigate the sprawling, forested area.
While the Pocono Mountains are renowned for their 150-odd lakes—many of which are open for swimming, boating, and fishing—the region is also in possession of one—or actually, eight—amazing waterfalls: Bushkill Falls, dubbed the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania. While it's undoubtedly smaller than its namesake, these falls are a beautiful retreat area with walking trails, fishing areas, and family activities.
