Things to Do in The Pocono Mountains
Waterfalls, lakes and a Victorian railroad town in the northeast mountains.
See top-rated activities »Things to Do in Pennsylvania in October: Pocono Foliage and More
The Pocono Mountains cover about 2,400 square miles of northeastern Pennsylvania, a plateau of forests, lakes and streams within a two-hour drive of both New York City and Philadelphia. For generations the region has been a getaway for honeymooners, summer campers and skiers, and today it is also known for indoor water park resorts that make it a year-round family trip.
Fall is the Poconos' best season, and leaf-peeping here is one of the classic things to do in Pennsylvania in October. Color usually starts on the higher ridges in late September and peaks across most of the region in the first half of October. Jim Thorpe, a Victorian town in a narrow valley on the Lehigh River, is the busiest place on foliage weekends: the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs train rides into the gorge, the Asa Packer Mansion shows how the town's coal-and-railroad millionaire lived, and the Lehigh Gorge State Park trail follows the river for miles. Go on a weekday if you can.
On the eastern edge, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area protects 40 miles of the Delaware River, with canoeing, tubing, waterfall hikes and a section of the Appalachian Trail. Bushkill Falls, a privately run park with a series of eight waterfalls connected by boardwalks and trails, has been welcoming visitors since 1904. In the north, Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the largest lakes in the state, with boat rentals, marinas and lakeside towns.
In winter, Camelback, Blue Mountain and other resorts have skiing and snow tubing, and the large indoor water parks at Camelback and Kalahari keep families busy in any weather. In Milford, near the New York border, Grey Towers, the home of the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, is open for tours.
Don’t Miss
River trips, waterfall hikes and the Appalachian Trail along 40 miles of the Delaware.
Eight waterfalls on boardwalk trails, open seasonally since 1904.
Vintage coach rides along the Lehigh River, busiest in foliage season.
An 1861 Italianate mansion with most of its original furnishings.
A rail-trail through the gorge for biking and walking, with whitewater on the river.
Gifford Pinchot's French-style chateau, run by the U.S. Forest Service.
Skiing and snow tubing in winter, plus indoor and outdoor water parks.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Poconos
Viator
ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Pennsylvania Travel Guide may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »the Poconos — FAQ
When is peak fall foliage in the Poconos?
Usually the first two weeks of October, a little earlier on the higher ridges. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources publishes a weekly fall foliage report in season.
Is Jim Thorpe worth visiting?
Yes, especially in fall. The town has preserved Victorian streets, a scenic railroad, the Asa Packer Mansion and the old Carbon County Jail, and the Lehigh Gorge trail starts nearby.
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