15 Best Things to Do in the Poconos for Fall Fun

1. Pocono Fall Festivals

When it comes to Poconos fall activities and fall festivals, there's nothing like a Poconos pumpkin patch day complete with cider and donuts! Take the kids to find the perfect Jack O'Lantern canvas and snap beautiful autumn photos with the colorful hills in the distance at Fall Fest at Yenser's Tree Farm, The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival at Country Junction - World's Largest General Store, or Mazezilla in Saylorsburg, which also features a mega Poconos corn maze.

Enjoy wagon rides, folk entertainment, and harvest traditions from bygone days at Quiet Valley Harvest Festival at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. For a small town autumn festival, don't miss the hayrides, delicious food, and local vendors at the Hawley Harvest Hoedown.

For spooky fall fun in the Poconos, spend the evening admiring the glowing pumpkins at The Electrifying Jack-O-Lantern Experience at the West End Fairgrounds or sign up for Ghost Walks in Old Mauch Chunk with The Inn at Jim Thorpe. Only for the brave, the Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares offers the ultimate fright nights.

Whether you're looking for a pumpkin patch in the Poconos, a challenging corn maze, a cozy hayride, a harvest celebration, or a haunted house, you'll find classic autumn events of all descriptions in the region! Browse our full calendar of fall activities for even more fun fall festivals in the Pocono Mountains.

2. Fall Hiking in the Poconos

One of the best things to do in Poconos in October is to reconnect with nature and breathe in the fresh mountain air on a fall hike. Over 260 miles of Pocono trails feature spectacular views and incredible seasonal colors. Crunch through the leaves and discover beautiful waterfalls framed by flaming foliage. Famed Bushkill Falls is open (weather permitting) through November, featuring eight waterfalls along four hiking trails varying in length and difficulty. Try a day hike along the storied Appalachian Trail and choose from 13 miles of paths with convenient loop routes at Lehigh Gap Nature Center in Slatington, PA.

Get a glimpse of local wildlife preparing for winter and enjoy the woods, wildflowers, and wetlands at Van Scott Nature Reserve of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy in untouched Wayne County. Wind up the hill above Honesdale to Irving Cliff for a small town view which once charmed the author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Washington Irving or discover a bird's-eye view of Milford between the leaves on the Milford Knob Trail.

3. Fall Biking in the Poconos

Roll beneath branches loaded with vibrant leaves: autumn is an ideal time for biking in the Poconos! Two national and nine state parks, totaling over 100,000 acres, offer trails for every skill level. Rent a bike from Edge of the Wood Outfitters or bring your own and pedal through beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area along the McDade Recreational Trail. Stay on the mostly flat part of the trail from Hialeah to Owens trailheads or take the switchbacks up the ridge north from Owens Trailhead and continue past the park's headquarters through rolling hills.

Another amazing spot for a fall cycle is Lehigh Gorge State Park. Spend a day exploring the 24 scenic and historic miles of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor running through the Gorge alongside the Lehigh River. Get some help from technology with an electronic bike rental from Bronson Ebikes and Trikes or book a trip with Naturfi to explore some of the best trails in the area.

4. Pocono Trolley Trips and Train Rides

A scenic trolley trip or train ride through our region’s eclectic small towns is the perfect opportunity to view the red, orange, and gold hues covering the hillsides. Try an old-fashioned form of transportation and learn about the history of the Pocono Mountains during your tour. Jim Thorpe Trolley Company offers classic trolley rides, harking back to Victorian vacations of the past.

From couples to families, everyone will love an autumn ride on the train! Hop aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for a 70-minute round trip excursion winding north along the Lehigh River from Jim Thorpe through Lehigh Gorge State Park. The Stourbridge Line chugs along 25 miles through the Poconos, passing the Lackawaxen River and incredible views of the region’s fall finery in picturesque towns like Hawley and Honesdale. After your ride, stop in the Wayne County Historical Society & Museum to learn more about Honesdale's history as the Birthplace of the American Railroad. Sign up for the free Pocono History & Arts Trail digital pass to track your progress as you visit cultural sights in the area!

5. Horseback Riding and Local Farms

Giddy up! Hit the trails and discover the fiery hues while horseback riding. Mount a friendly horse from local stables and canter through forests, over streams, and across fields! Wherever you venture, beautiful scenery awaits. Never ridden a horse? No problem! This is the perfect opportunity to try riding for the first time. At local stables like Bushkill Riding Stables and Daisy Field Farm, no experience is required, and beginners are welcome. You can also book wagon or carriage rides at Jim Thorpe Horse Adventures and Mountain Creek Stable. Be sure to call ahead to make your riding appointment in advance.

In addition to stables, there are many farms in the Poconos where you can spend a memorable fall day making new four-legged friends. Get to know the alpacas at Pohopoco Creek Alpacas, get in the Christmas spirit a little early at Spruce Ridge Reindeer, or meet the Highland cow and baby goats at The Liberty Tree Ranch.

6. Fall Adventure Park Day

Can’t get enough of the trees? See how the foliage looks to the squirrels as you play up amongst the branches! Balance on a tight rope stretched over the forest floor, cross a swinging log bridge suspended up in the air with foliage on every side at a local adventure park. Take on a treetop ropes course, rock climbing, zip lining and more! Summit Adventure Park at Blue Mountain Resort offers five levels of difficulty with a course perfect for young children and first-time treetop adventurers, while Pocono TreeVentures features different configurations and an advanced course that's 40 feet off the ground.

Challenge family and friends to the 87 elements at Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, which is also home to an incredible indoor waterpark. Explore 3,000 feet of in-air obstacles at the Adventure Center at historic Skytop Lodge, just one corner of the resort's 5,500-acre outdoor playground. Trek through the treetops or take a ride on the mountain coaster at Camelback Mountain Adventures at Camelback Resort in Tannersville.

7. Pocono Scenic Drives

From the red maple to the golden hickory, over 120 varieties of plants, trees and shrubs put on their fall foliage finery throughout our region's four counties. Destinations in the Pocono Mountains consistently take top rankings in USAToday's Top 10 Fall Foliage Destinations: you'll want to see this bright palette of seasonal shades for yourself!

Pull up a playlist of relaxing road trip music and roll along beneath the autumn branches. Car and Driver Magazine ranked PA Route 6, which runs through the charming towns of Honesdale, Hawley and Milford, as one of the “Top Scenic Routes in America.” Follow the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack along Route 507, hailed by the Travel Channel as one of the “Best Fall Foliage Road Trips.”

CNN named beautiful Delaware Water Gap one of the best places to view fall foliage, and Route 209 is a great byway to take through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Stop in Stroudsburg for lunch, continue west on 209 past Beltzville State Park and wind up the day in historic Jim Thorpe and Lehighton. One of the best things about a scenic drive in the Poconos is that whenever you're feeling like a snack or a stretch of the legs, there are lots of small towns in the area to explore.

8. Poconos Fall Zip Line

Fly through the foliage! Ride solo or race a friend on a mountain zip line! See the leaves while zooming down on the 900-foot zip line at Whitewater Rafting Adventures. Climb up the Adventure Tower at Summit Adventure Park at Blue Mountain Resort and soar across 500 feet of zip lines then stop for lunch at the delicious Slopeside Pub and Grill.

Pocono Zip Racer in East Stroudsburg reaches speeds of 35 miles per hour from launch to landing. Feel your adrenaline pumping as you zip past the trees on the 4000' Zip Rider or the 1000' Double Barrel Zipline at Camelback Mountain Adventures then treat yourself to a family meal at Barley Creek Brewing Company at the base of the mountain.

9. Poconos Paintball Parks

Battle it out in a paintball game beneath the trees for bragging rights. Play a round at Skirmish Paintball, a world-class, 700-acre facility in Albrightsville, PA with over 50 playing fields. Pocono Mountain Paintball in Nesquehoning offers scenario fields like Fort Courage, Trench Warfare, and Combat Creek.

Head to The Paintball Asylum in Tannersville to try woods ball, speedball, airlift and gel blasters or combine paintball with ATV adventures at Pocono Outdoor Adventure Paintball next to Pocono Raceway.

10. Fall Boating in the Poconos

There's nothing like seeing the fall colors reflected in the serene surface of a peaceful lake. Plan a day of boating or paddling and float over Poconos waters to enjoy breathtaking views. Bring your own boat to public launch ramps at Tobyhanna State Park, Gouldsboro State Park or along the Lackawaxen River Trails.

Looking for a rental? Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals offer boat rentals on Lake Wallenpaupack until late October. Buy a boat or service your boat at The Boat Shop in Tafton.

11. Autumn River Trips in the Poconos

Canoe or kayak down the Delaware River for unmatched views of the autumn leaves. Take a trip with one of our many outfitters like Adventure Sports, Shawnee River Trips, or Chamberlain Canoes.

Looking to kick things up a notch? Try whitewater rafting with Lander's River Trips or Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers. Sign up for a Big Day Out with Pocono Whitewater Adventures to pack three big adventures into one epic outing. Raft, bike and hike your way through bright fall foliage on the Lehigh River. Equipment and meals are provided. This is one fall day you won’t forget. Try it in 2025 on August 24, September 13 or 27, or October 4.

12. Cozy Fall Camping in the Poconos

When it's time to rest, pitch a tent beneath the beautiful leaves at a campground. Hemlock Campground & Cottages in Tobyhanna is open through mid-October, offering everything from tent sites to full-service cottages to full hookups. Enjoy a stay amidst the 60 wooded acres of Cranberry Run Campground in East Stroudsburg or the 50 acres of Peaceful Woodlands Family Campground in Blakeslee through the end of October. Mount Pocono Campground is also open through late October and has themed activities for Oktoberfest and Halloween.

You'll find RV sites and cabin rentals available year-round at centrally-located Pocono Vacation Park and Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA. Newly renovated Pocono Camp and Glamp is situated on 500 acres with lots of autumn outdoor activities to try onsite. Spend a night under the stars and around the crackling fire, a perfect cozy fall evening.

13. Poconos Fall Golf

Wake up early to watch an autumn sunrise and get an early start at area golf courses. Hitting the links is a great way to enjoy the cooler temperatures surrounded by beautiful fall colors. Plan an autumn outing and savor majestic views at Split Rock Golf Club in Lake Harmony or The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort on the shores of the Delaware River.

Conveniently-located Terra Greens Golf Course is home to 3,130 yards of course to play. Try the "best 18 holes in golf" all in one place at Mount Airy Golf Club or check out the historic layout designed by the greats at Pocono Manor Golf Course.

14. Fall Fishing in the Poconos

See if you can catch the big one this fall. Head out on a guided fishing trip with Captain Joe's Fishing & Waterman Services or get ready to cast a longer line with Pocono Fly Fishing. Call ahead for fall hours of operation to schedule your outing.

Visit Big Brown Fish & Pay Lakes to fish two stocked ponds through the end of October, no fishing license required. If you have your own equipment and are out fishing public Pocono waterways like Mauch Chunk Lake and the lakes at Promised Land State Park, you'll want to make sure you have purchased a state license.

15. Air and Ground Tours

Marvel at the fall foliage from a bird’s-eye view. Take in the beauty of fall in the Pocono Mountains with an air tour! Soar over waterways and mountains bursting with brilliant colors. Moyer Aviation and Pocono Helitours offer air tours year-round! Catch aerial views of popular beauty spots like Delaware Water Gap and Lake Wallenpaupack or choose your own customized sightseeing excursion. Ready to take it to the next level? See the sights of the region like never before during a jump with Pegasus Skydive Center!

If you'd rather stay on firm ground, take a driving and guided tour like a ride with Pocono Slingshot Rentals and wind through roads lined with colorful trees in a sporty Polaris Slingshot. Turn up the adrenaline and get a little mud on the tires with an ATV and offroading adventure with outfitters like Alvin's Offroad Playground.

Things to Do in the Poconos in the Fall

The Pocono Mountains covers 2,400 square miles, roughly the size of Delaware, and wonderful properties and attractions are spread across the region. Looking for the latest on the season? Visit our fall foliage forecast starting September 4, 2025 for weekly updates about each of the three zones' peak colors! Whether you're planning to visit the Poconos in September, Poconos in October, or Poconos in November, check out our leaf peeping FAQs and more adventures to experience fall fun, plus ideas for fall day trips. Don't forget to browse special offers to find beautiful places to stay during your fall getaway.