Most people discover the Poconos through snow. The ski resorts, the frozen lakes, the fires that seem to glow brighter when there is ice on the windows. But ask any guest who has stayed at one of our Pocono homes in July, and they will tell you — the mountains save some of their best work for the other three seasons.
Spring: Waterfalls and Empty Trails
The Pocono Plateau wakes up quietly. Bushkill Falls — often called the Niagara of Pennsylvania — is worth the drive as soon as the snowmelt kicks in. Four falls on one trail, surrounded by rhododendron, with crowds that haven’t arrived yet. Ricketts Glen State Park, a little further south, threads past 22 named waterfalls across a single loop. In late April and May, you’ll have it nearly to yourself.
Summer: Lake Days and Cold Beers
Lake Wallenpaupack is the obvious anchor. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and pontoon rentals fill out the afternoon, and the towns along its shores have grown into proper little hubs — good coffee, ice cream, a market worth wandering. Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary puts on outdoor concerts through the summer that feel like the best-kept secret in the county.
Autumn: The Reason People Come Back
October in the Poconos is genuinely extraordinary. The ridge lines go gold and amber over two long weeks, and the light in the late afternoon turns the whole valley into something you want to photograph badly. Route 6 west from Hawley is one of the best fall drives in the Northeast — pair it with a stop at a farm stand and the evening takes care of itself.
Winter: More Than the Slopes
Camelback and Shawnee are the obvious winter anchors, but don’t overlook the quieter pleasures. Snowshoeing through Delaware Water Gap, skating at community rinks, and the particular satisfaction of returning to a warm house and a kitchen stocked with everything you need.
Ready to base yourself here for a season? Check availability across our Pocono homes — each one is within easy reach of the best the region offers.