Pocono Mountains
Mountains Forested Pennsylvania mountains popular for outdoor recreation
Low mountain range in northeastern Pennsylvania known for lakes, waterfalls, ski resorts and hiking. Visitors favour outdoor recreation, family resorts and fall foliage drives.
The Pocono Mountains are a dissected plateau and mountain region in northeastern Pennsylvania known for outdoor recreation, lakes and resort towns. The area is a major regional destination for both nature-based activities and commercial leisure facilities.
The region offers a mix of natural attractions - waterfalls, forested hills, and reservoirs - alongside developed resorts that provide skiing, waterparks, golf and year-round lodging. Notable visitor sites include multi-tiered waterfall parks, long lakes used for boating and fishing, and protected river corridors for hiking and paddling.
Geologically part of the Allegheny Plateau, the Poconos were shaped by uplift and erosion; human use shifted from logging and small-scale agriculture to tourism and resort development in the 20th century. The rise of automobile travel and the growth of regional resorts made the Poconos a frequent getaway for nearby metropolitan populations.
The Poconos occupy a broad area of northeastern Pennsylvania across several counties, roughly inland from the New Jersey border and within driving distance of New York City and Philadelphia, which are the region’s primary source markets.
- Seasonality: Peak visitation seasons are summer for lakes and waterfalls and winter for ski resorts and snow sports, so planning by season is important.
- Access and fees: Many attractions are private or municipal and have separate fees and regulations, for example the privately run Bushkill Falls park and several resort-operated ski areas.
What to See #
- Bushkill Falls: Bushkill Falls - a privately managed set of multi-tiered waterfalls and walking trails often marketed as a key scenic attraction in the Poconos.
- Lake Wallenpaupack: Lake Wallenpaupack - a large reservoir popular for boating, fishing and lakeside recreation stretching several kilometres within the region.
- Delaware Water Gap: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - a protected corridor on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border noted for hiking, river recreation and scenic gaps in the mountains.
How to Get to Pocono Mountains #
The Poconos are reachable by car from New York City (about 1.5-2.5 hours depending on destination) via I-80, I-380 and PA-33. Nearest Amtrak service is in stations like Scranton or Matamoras followed by local transit; commercial airports in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Lehigh Valley provide regional access.
Tips for Visiting Pocono Mountains #
- For fall foliage drives, take Route 715 and the Pocono Mountains Scenic Byway early in the morning to avoid weekend congestion.
- If visiting for outdoor activities, check local resort schedules-some lift operations and lake activities are seasonal.
- Most national and state parks require parking permits on busy days-check specific park websites (e.g., Bushkill Falls, Promised Land State Park).
Best Time to Visit Pocono Mountains #
Fall for foliage, summer for lakes and family activities, and winter for skiing-each season has a distinct appeal.
Weather & Climate near Pocono Mountains #
Pocono Mountains's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1164 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (116 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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