The crisp autumn air is here, and the fall season is upon us! Home to endless adventures, the Pocono Mountains has plenty of fall happenings for you to enjoy.
Whether on the ground or in the air, our activities offer an irreplaceable discovery of fall, foliage and fun! Below are eight autumn experiences to catch before the leaves fall this season.
1. Air Tour
What better way to experience the fall foliage than with a bird’s eye view? See the beauty of fall in the Pocono Mountains with an air tour! Ascend over well-known waterways and mountains bursting with renowned red, yellow and orange hues.
Moyer Aviation, Inc. offers air tours year-round! Catch the aerial views of the Delaware Water Gap, Lake Wallenpaupack or choose your own sightseeing excursion. Buckle up for a private tour for two, and see the sights of the region like never before.
2. Train Ride
Take a scenic train ride through the region’s eclectic towns. Learn the history of the Pocono Mountains on an old-fashioned railcar while seeing the foliage. From couples to families, a train ride is an experience everyone can enjoy.
Hop aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for a 16-mile round trip from Jim Thorpe to the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Step back in time with No. 9 Mine & Museum, and ride 1,600 feet into the mountain to discover an authentic coal mine! The Stourbridge Line journeys 25 miles throughout the Pocono Mountains with incredible views of the region’s autumn alteration in iconic towns like Hawley and Honesdale, the birthplace of the American railroad.
3. Biking
Autumn leaves line over 260 miles of trails, setting the scene for biking. Two national parks, and nine state parks, totaling over 100,000 acres, offer trails ranging in difficulty and distance. Scenic views also vary; however, vibrant fall colors are constant throughout the Pocono Mountains.
Bike rentals and shuttle services are available throughout the region, making biking a breeze. Rent a bike and travel along the Lehigh Gorge to experience a mountainous region, or bike through the Delaware Water Gap for a leisurely trip by the river.
Giddy up! Hit the trails, and discover the warming colors of the season while horseback riding. Mosey within woods, stroll through streams or saunter across fields on horseback! Whichever your adventure, beautiful scenery awaits.
Never ridden a horse? No problem! Deer Path Riding Stable loves beginners. Enjoy guided trail rides with The Woodlands Stable & Tack, Inc. and Malibu Dude Ranch. If you are not up for a ride, Daisy Field Farm offers carriage, hay wagon and pony rides too. Fernwood Fun Center accommodates both families and anyone looking to reconnect with nature!
5. Scenic Drive
With over 120 varieties of plants, trees and shrubs, the Pocono Mountains is ablaze with brilliant foliage and spectacular views in the fall. Different areas throughout the four-county region have been recognized as a few of the best sceneries in the country. Come see for yourself!
Car and Driver Magazine ranked PA Route 6, through Hawley, as one of the “Top Scenic Routes in America.” Alongside Lake Wallenpaupack, Route 507 has been hailed by the Travel Channel as one of the “Best Fall Foliage Road Trips.” CNN has named the Delaware Water Gap one of the best places to view fall foliage.
6. Festivals
Nothing says fall in the Pocono Mountains more than festivals. The change of the seasons prompts highly anticipated visitations for these annual events. From pumpkin picking and lumberjack demonstrations to beer tasting and craft vendors, there’s a festival for all!
Family festivals include The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival, Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Weekends and the Hawley Harvest Hoedown. Fall fun includes the Great Brews Beer Festival and the Pocono Food Truck Festival & Art on the Mountain.
Can’t get enough of the trees? Play amongst them! Get your adrenaline pumping at an adventure park. Try your skills at a treetop ropes course, mountain rides, zip lines and more! Experience aerial thrills as you ride, slide and glide through the foliage.
Test your skills at Blue Mountain Resort – Summit Aerial Park with four levels of difficulty. Head over to Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures and challenge yourself to a series of high-flying encounters.
8. Boating
Uncover pretty panoramas while sailing or boating. Choose to cruise along our rivers and lakes to catch fiery foliage reflections off the water. The woodlands surrounding the waterways present breathtaking views. Bring your own boat, or rent one! Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals offer boat rentals on Lake Wallenpaupack until late October.
Visit one of our parks, Mauch Chunk Lake Park and Tobyhanna State Park, to launch your boat. The parks are open from dawn until dusk. Boat through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to get a glimpse of the Gap’s renowned foliage.
Interested in more adventure in the Pocono Mountains? Check out our things to do and events pages! Be sure to check out our festival page to catch your favorite festive happenings. Find special offers on places to stay!
Want updates on the foliage? Visit our fall foliage forecast page for weekly updates on each zone’s peak colors! Discover leaf peeping FAQs, ways to experience fall fun, enjoy the foliage and get day trippin' ideas!
Can't get enough of fall? Go to our Facebook page and sign-up for our 7-Day Fall Fun Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win one of seven prizes like ropes course for four or rafting and zipling for four! Contest runs now until September 20, 2017.
