The leaves are calling: it's time to take that autumn trip to savor the splendor of the fall foliage! The Pocono Mountains region covers four counties and 2,400 square miles of northeast Pennsylvania's beautiful hills, forests, lakes and rivers...meaning there are plenty of stunning scenic vistas for visitors to discover!
Take in the leaves from the side of a sprawling lake, hike to the heights for a panoramic view of the reds, oranges, and yellows, or hop in the car to wind along scenic fall drives that take you to local small towns where fall fun abounds. We've broken down five fantastic places to see in the Poconos in the fall to enjoy the changing colors.
Camelback Mountain
1. Camelback Mountain
The summit of Camelback Mountain in Big Pocono State Park in Tannersville offers spectacular fall foliage views across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Let the car do the uphill work and park near a picnic area with a panoramic view along Rim Road. Rather work up your appetite first? Big Pocono has 8.5 miles of challenging hiking trails.
There's another trail near the mountain waiting to be explored: the Pocono Beverage Trail! Enjoy an autumnal meal and hand-crafted beverages at Barley Creek Brewing Company. Head to the nearby Pocono Premium Outlets to treat yourself to a new cozy scarf or sweater. Get a treetop view of the leaves from the aerial obstacle courses and zip lines at Camelback Mountain Adventures or stay overnight at Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark to experience even more seasonal fun including UTV fall foliage tours, fall tubing, and campfires complete with s'mores.
Big Pocono State Park
Big Pocono State Park spans 1,306 acres of rugged terrain on the summit and slopes of Camelback…
Barley Creek Brewing Company
Brewery, distillery and eatery! Visit Barley Creek Brewing Company in the Pocono Mountains for an…
Pocono Premium Outlets
For shopping that's always worth the trip! The Pocono Premium Outlets features over 100 designer and…
Camelback Mountain Adventures
Your adventure starts here at PA’s biggest outdoor adventure park offering the best views of the…
Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
A thrilling year-round adventure hotel in the Pocono Mountains! With 453 spacious rooms and 16…
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Bushkill Falls Fall Foliage
2. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Bushkill Falls Fall Foliage
Running through the heart of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA), the Delaware River winds between mountains blazing with russet and golden hues at this time of year, offering incredible foliage vistas from the water, from hiking trails high on the cliffs above, or deep in the forests, framing mighty waterfalls. Discover the two tallest cascades in Pennsylvania, Raymondskill Falls and Dingmans Falls, on the northern end of the recreation area. Plan a visit to Bushkill Falls, located just outside DWGNRA, to see eight beautiful waterfalls spread across 300 acres.
The Cliff Trail, not far from Milford, offers a breathtaking overlook of the river. Travel south to the historic borough of Delaware Water Gap to view the season's finery from Mount Minsi along the famed Appalachian Trail. Celebrate the season with Pocono Environmental Education Center, located within DWGNRA, during their annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The valley has known human hand and voice for 10,000 years. Floodplains nourished the Native farmer…
Raymondskill Falls
The three-tiered Raymondskill Falls is the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania located on the…
Dingmans Falls
Update: The upper and lower observation platforms for Dingmans Falls will be inaccessible Monday…
Bushkill Falls
Embark on an unforgettable waterfall adventure. Bushkill Falls, "The Niagara of Pennsylvania,"…
Cliff Trail
The Cliff Trail offers some of the most spectacular overlook views in the recreation area. See the…
Mount Minsi - Appalachian Trail - Hiking
Updated: Access to Mount Tammany closed until further notice. As per Worthington State Forest, all…
Pocono Environmental Education Center
The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) offers a wide variety of family-friendly programs…
Lakeside Leaves and Best Fall Hikes
3. Lakeside Leaves and Best Fall Hikes
There's magic to be found on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack in all four seasons, but the flaming colors reflected in the water every autumn are something no lake lover should miss. With 52 miles of shoreline and a surface stretching 5,700 shimmering acres, there are plenty of different viewpoints to discover. Get out on the water with a rental from local outfitters like Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals. See the sunset from the Wallenpaupack Lake Trail, or tee off with views of the lake in the distance at The Golf Course at Paupack Hills. Looking for even more fall lakes to enjoy? Discover peaceful scenery as well as environmental programs and guided fall foliage walks at Lacawac Sanctuary on the northern side of the lake or explore the two lakes and miles of hiking trails at Promised Land State Park located about a 15-minute drive south of Lake Wallenpaupack.
Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals
Ready to ride on Lake Wallenpaupack? Visit Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals and choose from over 25 boats!…
Wallenpaupack Lake Trail - Hiking
See the sights around beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack! The Wallenpaupack Lake Trail is a gentle…
The Golf Course at Paupack Hills
Paupack Hills is a destination championship golf course in the Poconos designed by Tom Fazio…
Lacawac Sanctuary - Hiking
Hike and reconnect to nature! Lacawac Sanctuary is a 550-acre nature and environmental education…
Promised Land State Park
Spanning 3,000 acres on the Pocono Plateau, Promised Land State Park is 1,800 feet above sea level…
Best Fall Hikes in Lehigh Gorge and Jim Thorpe
4. Best Fall Hikes in Lehigh Gorge and Jim Thorpe
Fall is all about the foliage in Carbon County, where the mountains and rocky outcroppings rising above the Lehigh River in Lehigh Gorge State Park harbor plenty of autumn outdoor adventures. The small town of Lehighton is a perfect base for a fall day trip, offering plenty of parking, and easy access to the D&L Trail for hiking, biking, or fall whitewater rafting trips with outfitters like Jim Thorpe River Adventures.
Located minutes up the road from Lehighton, the Victorian splendor of Jim Thorpe is set off perfectly by the seasonal colors and drifting leaves. The popular Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival is held the first four weekends of October, bringing vendors and fun family activities to the historic streets. Be sure to plan ahead to secure parking. Hop aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for an Autumn Leaf Train Excursion running daily throughout October.
Lehigh Gorge State Park
A deep, river-carved gorge, thick vegetation, rocky outcroppings and breathtaking waterfalls…
D&L Trail - Hiking
Stop and stroll along the scenic D&L Trail as it traverses through the Delaware & Lehigh National…
D&L Trail - Biking
Discover the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Explore natural heritage and see glimpses…
Jim Thorpe River Adventures
Thrilling whitewater action awaits! Head out on the Lehigh with Jim Thorpe River Adventures and…
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
Experience a ride the whole family will enjoy! Comfortable, vintage coaches built as early as 1917…
Scenic Route 6 through the Northern Poconos
5. Scenic Route 6 through the Northern Poconos
On the northern end of the Poconos region in Wayne County and Pike County, scenic Route 6 has been called one of the top fall drives in the country. Starting from the Delaware River, the road winds west past Shohola Marsh Reservoir before turning north at Lake Wallenpaupack and following the Lackawaxen River. If your ideal way to view the fall foliage is from a sidewalk cafe with a freshly-brewed coffee, you'll want to make sure you plan a few pit stops! Route 6 connects the charming small towns of Milford, Hawley and Honesdale, and all three communities boast picturesque and historic downtown districts lined with colorful trees plus fun harvest celebrations.
Lake Wallenpaupack
Stunning Lake Wallenpaupack, a man-made lake built in 1926 covering 5,700 acres and 13…
Milford
When it comes to Pocono Mountains towns, Milford is a must-see. The town is touched with…
Honesdale
History and culture collide in the scenic Pocono Mountains town of Honesdale. A rich sense…
Hawley
Head to Hawley, where environment inspires entertainment! Find farm-to-table dining…
Peak Fall Foliage in the Poconos
Make sure you consult our fall foliage forecast, updated every Thursday through the end of October, to plan your leaf peeping Pocono getaway for when the trees will be at their peak in the three distinct color zones across the Poconos region. For even more inspiration, check out more than two dozen ways to see the leaves, browse local autumn activities and events and find ideas for fall fun.
The perfect way to end a crisp autumn day soaking in the sights of the season is with a relaxing stay at welcoming Poconos accommodations. Be sure to browse special offers or visit midweek to save on your fall foliage getaway!
Picture Yourself in the Poconos This Fall
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