The Pocono Mountains has been a top ski destination for decades, but there's so much more to winter in the Poconos than just action on the slopes. Come experience all the region has to offer this snowy season!
Take in the crisp, cold air with a variety of exciting outdoor winter activities, or stay warm during an outing to an indoor attraction in the area. There are so many things to do during a winter day trip, you may want to find a place to stay and give yourself a longer getaway. Check out seven winter experiences to discover in the Pocono Mountains this year.
Hiking
1. Hiking
Go on a winter hike! With over 126 trails all over the region, there are plenty of options, whether you prefer to climb to the heights or venture into the forests. With or without snow, the bare winter landscape has a unique beauty of its own. Get out of the house and bundle up for a rejuvenating walk.
Trails are open year-round at the Pocono Environmental Education Center. Encompassing 70,000 acres, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has lots of paths to explore, including a portion of the famed Appalachian Trail crossing Mount Minsi. The Poconos is home to hikes ranging from easy to extreme, and you can even catch an icy winter waterfall or two.
Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area - Hiking
Explore the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area! Located just off Route 115 near Blakeslee, the Austin…
Beltzville State Park - Hiking
Get out and explore the hiking trails at Beltzville State Park. Beltzville State Park features 15…
Browns Hill Preserve - Hiking
Browns Hill Preserve is an easy trail on old woods road. The preserve sits high on the ridge that…
Bushkill Falls - Hiking
Discover your next adventure! As you hike the trails or walk the grounds of Bushkill Falls, you'll…
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Hiking
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in December 2008 for the conservation of…
Cliff Trail
The Cliff Trail offers some of the most spectacular overlook views in the recreation area. See the…
Cresco Heights - Hiking
Take a hike toward a new point of view! The trail is out and back, about three miles. It is…
D&L Trail - Hiking
Stop and stroll through the scenic Lehigh Gorge as you travel along the Delaware & Lehigh National…
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Hiking
Updated: Limited services available. Visit responsibly - Most park trails are open, but some…
Edge of the Woods Outfitters - Hiking
Providing guests of all ability levels with outdoor adventures they will remember forever…
ForEvergreen Nature Preserve - Hiking
ForEvergreen Nature Preserves one-mile loop trail is smooth gravel with very slight inclines. Mowed…
Hickory Run State Park - Hiking
Hickory Run Sate Park encompasses 44 miles of scenic hiking trails. Trails range in distance and…
Ice Lake - Hiking
Ice Lake is a little jewel of a preserve in Barrett Township. The trail is centered around Ice Lake…
Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center - Hiking
Explore the trails open daily from dawn to dusk. A hike at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education…
Kidder Hike & Bike Trail - Hiking
The Kidder Hike & Bike Trail is open for exploration! Opened in the fall of 2019, the Kidder Hike &…
Kurmes Paradise Creek Nature Preserve - Hiking
The Kurmes Preserve is a 400-acre property in Cresco, PA that is divided into two sections, each…
Lacawac Sanctuary - Hiking
Hike and reconnect to nature! Lacawac Sanctuary is a 550-acre nature and environmental education…
Lehigh Gap Nature Center
The Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge consists of over 750 acres of varied habitat. The trail system…
Lehigh Gorge State Park - Hiking
Take a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike through the Lehigh Gorge State Park! The park features…
Mauch Chunk Lake Park - Hiking
Located on the outskirts of historic Jim Thorpe, this county park is ideal for adventure seekers…
Cross-Country Skiing
2. Cross-Country Skiing
We said off the slopes, and we meant it! Experience a classic variation on the popular downhill winter sport with cross-country skiing.
Snow conditions permitting, bring your skis and glide over the snow-covered landscape on trails in Pocono Mountains parks like Lehigh Gorge State Park, Hickory Run State Park and Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center.
Beltzville State Park - Cross Country Skiing
Beltzville State Park is home to many open fields and nine miles of trails that are suitable for…
Delaware State Forest - Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing can be done on any trail, road or forest land when weather and conditions…
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Cross Country Skiing
Enjoy cross-country skiing in nature's own playground. Cross-country skiing is permitted on the…
Gouldsboro State Park - Cross Country Skiing
See the wintry sights on skis. Hiking trails can be cross-country skied with adequate snow. The Old…
Hickory Run State Park - Cross Country Skiing
Get out and get your heart pumping this winter! The 15,990-acre Hickory Run State Park offers 14…
Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center - Cross Country Skiing
Grab a pair of skis and enjoy cross-country skiing at Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center!…
Lehigh Gorge State Park - Cross Country Skiing
Visitors enjoy cross-country skiing at Lehigh Gorge State Park. As conditions permit, the Lehigh…
Mauch Chunk Lake Park - Cross Country Skiing
Break out your skis at this beautiful park in the Pocono Mountains! Weather permitting…
Promised Land State Park - Cross Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is permitted on all trails in Promised Land State Park. Bruce Lake Natural Area…
Tobyhanna State Park - Cross Country Skiing
Set out on skis and explore Tobyhanna State Park! The Lakeside Trail is 5.1 miles. This improved…
Eagle Watching
3. Eagle Watching
Another popular wintertime activity in the Poconos is eagle watching. Bald eagles migrate to the region during this season to enjoy the eco-friendly habitat of our pristine lakes and rivers.
The Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers offer abundant clean water and undisturbed land, making them popular spots for eagles to nest and roost. You only have a few months to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures: bald eagle watching takes flight now through March.
Eagle Watching
Bald eagle watching is a very popular winter activity in the Pocono Mountains.
Horseback Riding
4. Horseback Riding
Saddle up for a memorable winter horseback ride throughout the scenic Poconos Mountains. If you've never been on a mount before, no worries! Local stables welcome beginners, offering guided rides through beautiful fields and forests.
Enjoy a peaceful canter through the wintry landscape at Happy Trails Stables or Daisy Field Farm. When snow covers the ground, some stables also offer sleigh rides!
Bushkill Riding Stables
Bushkill Riding Stables offers winter trail rides. Set off into the snow-covered woods around…
Daisy Field Farm
Enjoy a snow-covered trail ride at Daisy Field Farm. Families, small groups and beginners can take…
Happy Trails Stables
Take a one or two hour trail ride by horseback over snow covered trails or sit back and relax and…
Mountain Creek Riding Stable
Beginner-friendly Mountain Creek Riding Stable is open year-round. Bundle up and explore their…
Entertainment
5. Entertainment
There's no shortage of good times in the Pocono Mountains with a fantastic lineup of live performances and great entertainment. Whether you want a taste of casino nightlife, or you'd prefer to relax to good music and drinks during a local happy hour, you'll find your niche any night of the week.
Experience some of the best shows from your favorite bands at Sherman Theater or Penn's Peak. These venues are known for bringing big names to the region and putting on great performances year-round.
Penn's Peak
Penn's Peak brings you the best in national acts from country to rock and everything in between…
Sherman Theater
The Sherman Theater has your ticket to unforgettable entertainment in the Pocono Mountains. From…
The Cooperage Project
The Cooperage Project is a not-for-profit organization that presents a wide range of activities for…
Barley Creek Brewing Company
Great food, craft beer and spirits brewed on-site, and a fun atmosphere await at Barley Creek…
Deer Head Inn
The Deer Head Inn, home of jazz in the Pocono Mountains for more than 60 years, is the oldest…
Escape Rooms
6. Escape Rooms
Spend a day indoors and put your critical thinking skills to the test in an escape room. In just 60 minutes, follow a series of themed clues to try and solve a puzzling mystery.
Grab your gang to unravel the clues at Klues Escape Room. Choose one of four escape rooms, each offering a unique, themed, interactive challenge! You can also put your teamwork and communication skills to the test at Big Screen Escapes with three rooms retro rooms full of riddles.
Big Screen Escapes
Lights, Camera...Escape! Big Screen Escapes offers a movie set feeling with fun puzzles, riddles…
Escape It!
Can you Escape It? Gather a group and test your teamwork at Country Junction in the Pocono…
Klues Escape Room
A truly unique experience for family, friends, or co-workers! Klues Escape Room is an amazing…
Trap Door Escape Room
Trap Door Escape Room is the pinnacle of themed entertainment, bringing you some of the largest and…
The Wrath of Anubis
Can you escape the Wrath of Anubis? Some believe that the key to immortality could be found in…
Pocono Beverage Trail
7. Pocono Beverage Trail
Quench your thirst this winter at area wineries, breweries and distilleries. Whatever your libation preference, the Poconos has vintages, brews and spirits to satisfy along the Pocono Beverage Trail.
Wineries like Wild Elder Wine and Cider Co. and Sorrenti Family Estate Winery offer specialty tastings and atmospheric cellar tours. Microbreweries are located across the region, each bringing delicious flavors to the area. Both Barley Creek Brewing Company and Wallenpaupack Brewing Company offer growlers, so you can take your favorite beers home! If spirits are more your thing, grab a signature cocktail at Silverback Distillery. As always, drink responsibly.
Pocono Beverage Trail
The Pocono Beverage Trail is a craft beverage lover's dream. It's a beer trail, a wine…
Shopping
8. Shopping
Take a stroll down Main Street in our area's historic small towns to find one-of-a-kind shopping! Discover hand-made treasures are local craft shops or hunt for bargains at an outlet store. Here in Pennsylvania, there is no sales tax on clothing, so you can shop until you drop!
American Candle sells not only the obvious tapers, but also designer jewelry, handbags, clothes and over 150 varieties of candy. If antiquing is more your style, discover vintage finds at Asparagus Sunshine in charming Delaware Water Gap.
420 CBD Lounge
The 420 CBD Lounge is your store for the highest quality, all-organic and natural hemp CBD products…
507 Skate Shop
Skateboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The 507 Skate Shop is an…
American Candle
American Candle is more than just great candles, it is a destination! Shop candles made on site, let…
American Ribbon Craft and Fabric
American Ribbon Manufacturers has been manufacturing quality ribbon since 1913. Still family owned…
Apple Tree
A Pocono Destination Boutique specializing in personal service and styling. The Apple Tree team of…
The Artisan Exchange
The Artisan Exchange is a family-run gift gallery that represents more than 275 American artists. If…
Asparagus Sunshine
Asparagus Sunshine is a unique antique store located in the Historic Appalachian town of Delaware…
BetterWorld Store & Cafe
Better for you. Better for the earth. And better for humanity. BetterWorld Store & Cafe has…
Blue Ridge Flea Market
Located at the site of the old Blue Ridge Drive-In Theater, the Blue Ridge Flea Market has been in…
Bulldog Liquidators
Bulldog Liquidators is a great place for bargains! Woman owned and family operated, Bulldog…
Callie's Candy Kitchen
The Callie Family extends an invitation to you to visit Callie's Candy Kitchen in the Pocono…
The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos
The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos is your one stop shop for candles and gifts. Offering the…
Country Junction World's Largest General Store
Country Junction is a place for family fun! Stroll the yellow brick road and embark on an…
Country Kettle
Established in 1986 our unique retail store features candy, candles, collectibles and crafts…
The Crossings Premium Outlets
For shopping that's always worth the trip! The Crossings Premium Outlets features over 100 designer…
Der Jaeger Unique Arts
Shop a wide selection of antiques, artwork, fine porcelain, collectibles and militaria at this…
Dunkelberger's Sports Outfitter
Serving the Pocono Mountains for over 40 years! Located in beautiful downtown Stroudsburg and on…
Fireworks Outlet - Tannersville Location
Select from a complete line of fireworks. Offering the lowest prices and biggest selections. No…
Fireworks Outlet - Marshalls Creek Location
Select from a complete line of fireworks. Offering the lowest prices and biggest selections. No…
Fireworks Outlet/Pocono Fireworks - Tannersville
Pennsylvania’s Firework Headquarters. Offering the lowest prices and biggest selections! No…
Fireworks Outlet - Marshalls Creek Location
Pennsylvania’s Firework Headquarters. Offering the lowest prices and biggest selections! No…
Gather
Head down to Gather in Honesdale to find fun gifts for everyone on your list. Located in Downtown…
Gorgeous Floral
Gorgeous Floral is thrilled to help you with all your floral needs; whether it is ‘just because’ or…
Grapevine Antiques & Crafts Mall
Find local crafts, decor, antiques and more at the Grapevine Antiques & Crafts Mall. Browse crafts…
Grapevine Antiques & Crafts Mall
Grapevine Antiques & Crafts Mall features over 100 vendors in a 6,000-square-foot location. There's…
Hanna's Farm Market
Hanna's Farm Market is a family owned and operated, full-service farm market. Stop by to browse a…
Hawley Silk Mill
Explore the shops at the Hawley Silk Mill. The ground floor of the landmark Hawley Silk Mill houses…
Holley Ross Pottery
Our factory showroom is located on Route 191 in the quaint village of LaAnna (5 miles south of…
James Diamond Jewelry
James Diamond Jewelry is Northeast Pennsylvania’s Bridal Headquarters. With over 2,000 engagement…
Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe
The old Victorian town of Jim Thorpe sets the stage for this cozy Christmas shoppe. From ornaments…
Hop in the car and get ready for an amazing day trip to the Poconos this season, or add more fun to your itinerary and plan a longer winter escape! Find winter places to stay and save on accommodations with special offers. Discover exciting events happening during your stay as well.
Check out all the snow activities and adventures waiting for you in the Pocono Mountains, and keep and eye on area snow conditions with our live cameras for immediate weather updates. See you in the Poconos!
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