Escape the City

Tired of wandering through the concrete jungle? Ready to feel the healing effects of nature? Nature is good for us and has both long and short term mental and physical health benefits. So escape the city and get back to nature in the Pocono Mountains. Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air, listen for the sound of rushing water from the waterfalls, or just kick back and float on the lake. Here are our top spots for reconnecting with Mother Earth.

*All distances are approximate from Best Pocono Escape Rentals*

Hiking

Hiking in the Pocono Mountains is a fun and relaxing way to get outside with friends and family. Pocono hiking gives you a unique way of seeing nature that roads cannot reach. Leave your worries behind and reconnect with nature.

Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area    (5 min drive)

Perfect for quick, gentle hikes, or for a family with small kids. This natural area once hosted a roller rink, dance hall, and swimming pools until the great flood of 1955 wiped it all away. Now this nature preserve is perfect for a day of walking, fishing, picnicking, photography, bird watching, and peaceful contemplation.

Hickory Run State Park (over 40 miles of trails)   (20 min drive)

With over 40 trails, this state park has something for everyone. The park is open from sunrise to sunset and offers picnic areas year round, fish and designated swimming areas in the summer, and Cross Country skiing, ice skating, and snowmobiling during the winter (must bring your own equipment). 

Split Rock Nature Preserve    (5 min drive)

36 Split Rock Rd, Lake Harmony, PA 18624

It was once an ocean, then a glacier, and now a rock split in two and a beautiful awe encompassing view. This hike is family friendly and has wooden steps to the top for a perfect 360 degree view.

Fishing

Adventures on the water bring people together in a number of ways and there are no better adventures than lake fishing in the Pocono Mountains. When you share the thrill of a first catch or the stunning scenery of a lake from shore or boat, you are making memories and forming bonds that will last a lifetime.

Captain Joe's Fishing Lake Harmony    (2 min drive)

Enjoy a day of catch and release on Lake Harmony. There are three types of excursions to choose from; Riverside (fly fishing), Poling Skif, and an option to create a custom package. Please note if you are over the age of 16 you must have a PA fishing license. Bookings are only done over the phone, give Captain Joe a call at 484-886-8258 to book your fishing adventure. 

Big Brown Fish and Pay Lakes    (15 min drive)

Big Brown Fish & Pay Lakes offers 3 fishing ponds; two for trout and one for largemouth bass. You must keep and pay for each fish you catch. No fishing license is required. You can rent their equipment or bring your own. Bait and fish cleaning available for purchase. Children under 12 enter for free, seniors enter for $3.00, everyone else enters for $4.00.

Horseback Riding and Pony Rides

Anyone who has ridden a horse knows it’s just plain fun. It also offers an extraordinary way to see the beauty of the Pocono Mountains. Whether you ride through woods, streams or meadows, you will get a close-up glimpse of the natural beauty of the Poconos, and you'll probably see some of the native birds and animals too. So saddle up!

Mountain Creek Riding Stables (30 min drive)  

Mountain Creek Riding Stables, specializes in beginner and intermediate horseback riding in the Poconos. No experience is required and you are always accompanied on the trail ride by a guide. They are open seven days a week, all year long and offer group trail rides as well as private trail rides, pony rides for young children, wagon rides for families, and carriage rentals for private events. Things to know: Helmets required for under 18, over 18 optional, Book 24 hrs in advance, Weight limit of 240 lbs, Children must be at least 7 years old for trail rides, but family wagon rides and pony rides are available for the little ones

Other Horseback Riding Options:

 Mountain Laurel Riding Stables (15 min drive) | Deer Path Riding Stables (20 min drive) | Bushkill Riding Stables (50 min drive)

Hike with Goats

Now this is really a original way to see the Pocono Mountains. Hiking with goats along a rocky trail will provide you with many giggles along the way.

Fluster Cluck Farm      50 min drive

Hiking with Goats is a truly unique experience. All hikes are by appointment with a suggested donation of $15 per hiker over the age of 2. The typical visit and hike takes about 45 minutes to an hour and a half approximately. The hike distance varies between quarter mile to a half mile depending on your group's request and ability. Animal crackers are provided prior to the hike for goat feeding. The hike is rocky and has a few hills, people with mobility concerns should be aware. Time is allotted for goats snuggles and pictures. The property has a picnic area for lunch and snacks. For booking, please use Facebook Messenger. Hikes are offered at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, weather permitting. Private hikes and events are also available.

Waterfalls

TLC warned us not to chase them, but we are going anyway. The Pocono Mountains have many breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, but here are our favorites.

Hawk Falls (20 min drive)

Hickory Run State Park's Hawk Falls is a 25-foot, natural waterfall accessible via scenic hike. Parking is available off of PA 534, just east of the turnpike overpass. The trail begins in rhododendron thickets and hugs the side of a hill down to Hawk Run. A large footbridge crosses the creek. The trail bears right at Mud Run, wanders through a tunnel of rhododendrons and ends with a view of Hawk Falls. The trail is 0.6 miles and somewhat difficult. Find trail maps and more resources at the park office.

Bushkill Falls (50 min drive)

The "Niagara of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls is among the Keystone State's most famous scenic attractions. This unique series of eight waterfalls, nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains, is accessible through an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges which afford fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest. There are trails for every level, shopping, food, and even mining for gems. It is very easy to turn Bushkill Falls into a day trip!

Wild Creek Falls   (30 min drive)

Wild Creek Falls is about 12-15 feet in height. However, it has a unique look with the water splitting into two separate falls around a large rock that makes it one of the region’s most beautiful waterfalls. Getting to the fall is a 5.5 mile hike that is out and back. The trail itself is easy to moderate difficulty. 

Water Sports

Towed by a boat, topping at speeds of 20 mph, is there any better way to forget about the grind of your day to day like than water skiing or wakeboarding? Get intouch with your water spirit on Lake Harmony.

Lake Harmony Watersports (3 min drive)

In the heart of the Pocono Mountains, is Lake Harmony Watersports, the premier school for wakeboarding and waterskiing. They provide instructional lessons and demonstrations for all water sports. Activities include: wakeboarding, water skiing, knee boarding, wake surfing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boards.