Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial start of summer in the Pocono Mountains. Although COVID-19 has altered travel plans this year, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday while following federal, state and local guidelines.

While Pike and Monroe counties remain in the ‘red’ phase of Governor Tom Wolf’s statewide reopening plan, Wayne and Carbon counties will transition to the ‘yellow’ phase beginning tomorrow, May 22nd. In response, the Lake Wallenpaupack and Jim Thorpe Visitors Centers will reopen with limited capacity this weekend to provide restroom access for guests.

Here are some fun and safe ways to spend the holiday:

  1. Hiking / Biking
    • State and national parks, like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, provide an abundance of trails with rewarding views. Remember to ‘leave no trace’ and throw away garbage in designated areas. Park rangers recommend avoiding crowded parking lots and sticking to locations that are not busy.
  2. Golfing
    • From birds to birdies, nature and a game of golf go hand-in-hand in the Pocono Mountains. Most courses are open for the season and have implemented precautions, including cart restrictions and requiring reserved tee times. Purchase a Golf-A-Round Card to play twice at seven participating courses for just $25 per round, cart included. Buy the card online for future use or purchase it at a participating course to use right away on valid dates and times.
  3. Camping
    • From traditional camping to glamping, plan your experience to be rustic or refined. Most privately-owned campgrounds are open for the season, providing a great way to relax, unwind and social distance around the campfire.
  4. Whitewater Rafting
    • Get some fresh air with an adventure on the water. Starting this weekend, several whitewater rafting businesses in the Pocono Mountains will reopen for the season. Companies have precautions in place, including keeping parties on the same raft and limiting the amount of people in a group.
  5. Boating
    • Hit the open water this weekend in a canoe, kayak, raft, or boat.  From Lake Wallenpaupack to the Delaware River, rental companies around the region are providing services. After a long day on the water, consider supporting our local restaurants and place a to-go order.   

Activities such as fishing, mountain biking, and UTV rentals are also available at select locations this weekend. Before heading out, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau recommends calling ahead to confirm availability and inquire about specific coronavirus-related requirements that may be in place.

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Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at PoconoMountains.com or by phone at (570) 421-5791. Follow @PoconoTourismPR on Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information. Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit membership organization. The PMVB is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

About the Pocono Mountains

With 2,400 square miles encompassing Pennsylvania’s Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon counties, the Pocono Mountains region is home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers. Winters offer guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing more than 163 ski trails, while summers also cater to the active traveler allowing exploration of 261 miles of hiking and biking trails, more than 30 golf courses, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and open access to nine state and two national parks.