From the New York border in the north to Blue Mountain in the south and essentially everything between the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers — all of the rolling hilltops, dense forests, green valleys, bustling villages, lake towns and small cities are part of the world-famous Pocono Mountains.
A Quiet, Natural Paradise
The Pocono Mountains region combines laid-back mountain living with plenty of adrenaline-pumping recreation. Enjoy fun in all four seasons. Winter in the Pocono Mountains is all about hitting the slopes at six local ski resorts. In spring and summer, explore local, state and national parks, plenty of hiking trails and check out Lake Wallenpaupack for a little fun on the water. And when it comes to fall, it’s all foliage, fun on the farm, long, scenic drives and, of course, more foliage.
Known For:
8 state parks
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Hundreds of miles of hiking trails
Jim Thorpe, aka Pennsylvania’s “Little Switzerland”
Lake Wallenpaupack
Famous Gravity Railroad in Honesdale
Mount Airy Casino & Resort
Hawley Silk Mill
By the Numbers:
Geographical Area: 2,322 Sq. Miles
Estimated Population: 342,496
Colleges & Universities: 3
School Districts: 17
Regional makeup: popular destinations include Bushkill, Delaware Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, Gouldsboro, Hawley, Honesdale, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Milford, Mount Pocono, Stroudsburg, Tannersville, Tobyhanna.
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Hawley is a charming town in Wayne County where outdoor fun and small-town charm go hand in hand. You can pedal the Pennsylvania Rail Bike along the Lackawaxen River, check out local art galleries, or grab a bite at one of the downtown restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you’re always close to nature—perfect for hiking, boating, or exploring nearby state parks.
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Honesdale, known as the birthplace of the American railroad, is a charming small town with plenty to explore. Stroll through downtown to find local boutiques, inviting restaurants and historic spots like the Stourbridge Line train rides. If you love the outdoors, you’ll find plenty of hiking, kayaking and year-round activities in the surrounding Pocono Mountains.
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Put the historic town of Jim Thorpe on your list of places to see! From shops and entertainment to a gorgeous landscape, find out what the popular destination has to offer from a local expert.
Lake Wallenpaupack is a 5,700-acre lake in the Pocono Lake Region offering year-round recreation like boating, swimming, hiking, and camping. Visitors enjoy kayaking, fishing, fall foliage hikes, and winter activities like ice fishing and skating, making it a four-season destination. With nearby trails, public beaches, lakeside dining, and mountain views, the area blends lake recreation with relaxing getaways in the Pocono Mountains.
Put Lehighton on your day trip list! From outdoor activities to great eats and nostalgic sweets, we took a tour to bring you a look at what the borough has to offer.
This popular, historic borough saddles up next to the Delaware River and features a modern downtown with easy access to nature.
The Pocono Lake Region in Wayne and Pike counties is a scenic escape centered around Lake Wallenpaupack and its surrounding communities. Enjoy boating, hiking, fishing and year-round outdoor fun, plus charming small towns, local shops and lakeside dining. It’s a go-to destination for adventure and classic Pocono Mountains charm.
Learn MoreA Region on the Move
The Pocono Mountains, known predominantly for ski resorts, summer camps and weekend getaways, has made a name for itself as NEPA’s vast wilderness playground. Many of the region’s communities have inspired a boom in local, top-notch restaurants, an ever-growing craft beer scene, homegrown wineries and so much more.
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A Peak at the History of the Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains Region was once home to six major Native American tribes – Delaware, Iroquois, Lenape, Shawnee, Minisink and Paupack. Several centuries later, Dutch, English and German settlers staked out early designs of what would become some of the first towns in the Pocono Mountains. Coal took hold in Carbon County, while the first steam engine clanked along the old Gravity Railroad in Honesdale. By the mid 20th century, the opening of the interstate highway system made easy work of accessing even the farthest reaches of the Pocono Mountains.
Did you know?
Artificial snowmaking started in the Pocono Mountains! In the winter ski season of 1956-57, John Guresh, an employee at Big Boulder Ski Resort successfully fired up what was believed to be the first snowmaking machine in the U.S. The device ultimately paved the way for the Pococno Mountains to become one of the premier ski destinations in the east.
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