Spring is full of excitement in the Endless Mountains of NEPA. The forests come back to life, welcoming visitors to our scenic parks and trails. Spring snowmelt and April showers feed the roaring waterfalls of Ricketts Glen State Park and Loyalsock State Forest. Family farms start planting for the summer, while backyard gardeners head to the local greenhouses. Roadside ice cream stands open for the season, promising the sweet, sweet taste of the first cone of the year. With so much to see and do, you can’t help but catch a bit of spring fever.

Just a short drive from Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, the Endless Mountains offer the perfect little escape. Hop in the car, follow the country roads, and check out these five things to do this spring.

See the Tulips at Brown Hill Farms

Spring will be in full bloom at Brown Hill Farms, a fifth-generation family farm near Tunkhannock. During tulip season, their fields are filled with about 500,000 flowers. Visitors can stroll through the endless rows of tulips and pick their own bouquets. Make sure to bring a camera because you’ll find plenty of photo ops and fun props.

Plan to spend the afternoon because Brown Hill Farms also offers play areas for the kids, a farm store, and tasty homemade treats. And you can’t miss the adorable animals—spring always brings baby cows and goats!

Brown Hill Farms typically opens for tulip season in late April or early May, depending on Mother Nature. Check their Facebook page for updates and hours.

Go Fishing

Trout season is well underway, and our rural creeks and streams offer plenty of fishing holes. South Branch Tunkhannock Creek, which flows through the Factoryville area, is a well-known spot for trout fishing. Spring is also prime time to visit the Loyalsock Creek and its feeder streams, which are especially popular to fly fishing. Both creeks have sections for the Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program, which releases older, larger trout.

Anglers can also cast a line at our area’s lakes and ponds. Lake Winola and Lake Carey are two of the larger lakes in the area. For spectacular scenery, try the cool mountain waters of Lake Jean at Ricketts Glen State Park. If you’re searching for a peaceful, quiet spot, check out our smaller lakes. Hunters Lake near Eagles Mere and Oxbow Lake near Nicholson are both stocked with trout, while Stevens Lake near Tunkhannock provides a nice spot for panfish.

Go Birdwatching

Nature preserves offer wonderful opportunities to watch wildlife, especially as many birds migrate back to NEPA for spring and start building their nests. Davis Crossing Preserve near Lake Winola boasts a mix of forests and wetlands, providing an ideal habitat for birds. Easy trails surround the preserve, and a viewing area overlooks the pond. The Mokoma Conservancy near Laporte also protects precious habitat at the Conklin Run and Elklick Wilderness Areas. These two preserves have beautiful, forested trails to explore.

Bald eagles also call the Endless Mountains home. The best place to spot them is along the Susquehanna River. Visit Vosburg Neck State Park near Tunkhannock for a glimpse of a nesting pair, which reside across the river from the boat launch.

Attend the Spring Film Festival

The Dietrich Theater hosts a film festival every season, bringing some of the best independent and foreign films to historic downtown Tunkhannock. On April 19 through May 9, the 2024 Spring Film Festival will show 21 films over the course of 21 days.

The Opening Night Gala always promises a fun time with two featured films, The Taste of Things and Driving Madeleine. Local food, beer, wine, and desserts make for an unforgettable evening.

Start Your Garden

A trip to the garden center will have you thinking spring. Our local greenhouses are full of herbs, flowers, and veggie seedlings to get your garden growing.

It’s easy to spend the whole afternoon wandering around Creekside Gardens in Tunkhannock. You’ll find beautiful plants and décor around their grounds, greenhouse, and gift shop. Or stop by the new greenhouse at Hilltop Farms Marketplace in Tunkhannock and pick up some delicious homemade goodies while you’re at it.

At the garden center at Bennie’s Nursery near Tunkhannock, you’ll find a great selection of perennials to make your landscaping the envy of the neighborhood. Family businesses like Franklin’s Small Town Flowers and Greenhouse in Dushore and Trostle’s Dairy & Poultry Farm in Shunk also offer seedlings and flowers.

Plan an Adventure in the Endless Mountains

There are still miles of trails, acres of public lands, and dozens of small towns to explore! Check out our visitors guide for all things Endless Mountains. You can request a free copy or download a digital version online.

Featured image (top) courtesy of Tasha Ferris.