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Pocono Mountains: Adventure Awaits Your Family This Fall 

On Day 1, consider spending time at the lake or an indoor waterpark. Then, on the second day, see stunning fall foliage on a nature trail traveled by foot, horse, or by train. You can easily pack the day at any of these destinations. Read on for our sample itineraries, as well as our top recommendations for restaurants, hotels, and seasonal fall activities in the Poconos. 

Day 1: Lakeside Fun & Indoor Waterparks

Lake Wallenpaupack – Hawley

Lake Wallenpaupack is a prime destination for outdoor fun. This huge reservoir lake is 13 miles long, surrounded by miles of shoreline. Families can enjoy more than six public recreational areas. In the fall, pack a lunch and head to Palmyra Township Public Beach for a picnic on the sandy shoreline (and come back in the summer for swimming!).

For on-the-water fun, try kayaking or renting a boat through Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals from May through October. Or, hop on a boat tour offered by Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours on fall weekends through October. If you want to hit the trails, start at the Visitors Center and try the 3-mile lake shore trail. If you’re into fishing, you can also get a fishing tackle loaner at the Visitors Center.

Kalahari – Pocono Manor

Kalahari boasts water slides of all thrill levels, from big splash tube slides on rafts to gentle toddler slides. If slides aren't your thing, swim in the wave pool, relax on the lazy river, or get wet in the splash areas (two of which are toddler-appropriate). After the water activities, spend time in the arcade, restaurants, mini bowling, or other resort activities (for additional fees).

Great Wolf Lodge has attractions especially suited to preteens. Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge – Scotrun

At Great Wolf Lodge, families can enjoy slides, rafts,  splash areas, and pools. There’s something for everyone, but this one is especially good for kids ages 12 and under. When you're ready to dry off, there's an arcade, indoor mini-golf, and even a ropes course for those who don't mind heights.

Camelback – Tannersville

At Camelback’s  Aquatopia, you’ll get wet on slides, in the splash and water dump areas, and in the wave pool. It’s great for kids under 12. The resort has other activities, too, like bumper cars, a ropes course, an arcade, and more.

Day 2: Nature Trails & Family Attractions

Promised Land State Park – Greentown 

Head to Promised Land State Park for hiking in the beautiful woods. There's a small playground by the beach in the day-use area. You can hike the easy 2-mile Rhododendron Trail from there. 

After your walk, see the beautiful fall leaves in a completely different way. Try a guided horseback ride with Mountain Creek Riding Stables on the trails or a family wagon ride for a memorable way to experience the big, beautiful outdoors. There are also pony rides for little ones. The stable is located about 20 minutes south of Promised Land State Park.

Or, travel 20 minutes to the northern Lake Wallenpaupack area to ride the rails in a super unique way: on a two-seater or four-seater rail bike with electric pedal assist from Pennsylvania Rail Bike. Take a 10-mile (2-hour) riding excursion through the beautiful scenery along the Lackawaxen River. Depending on the season, you can pair your ride with a fun experience like pumpkin picking or ice cream. Tours run from Memorial Day through Halloween.

Drive to the western side of Lake Wallenpaupack to take a Claws ’N Paws Wild Animal Park trail. As you walk these shady woodland trails, you'll visit 120 different species of animals like monkeys, lions, giraffes, camels, tigers, capybaras, leopards, and more. Check the schedule for daily hands-on feedings of the giraffes, parrots, and turtles. Open May 1 through mid-October.

Hickory Run State Park – White Haven

Start your day with a nature walk through the trails of Hickory Run State Park. Pick a trail or try geocaching (brochures are available at the park office). The out-and-back Deer or Beach Trails might be good ones for kids. They're each a half-mile long. More experienced hikers might want to try the Boulder Trail, which leads to the rocky Boulder Field.

After Hickory Run, try a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for fabulous views of the hills and gorge. The ride is about 70 minutes long, or you can try the Autumn Leaf excursion, which is a 40-minute round trip. Choose an open-air car, a dome car with a glass ceiling, or standard seats. The train station is about 30 minutes from Hickory Run State Park.

About 30 minutes from the train station, travel back in time at Eckley Miners' Village to walk through a village where coal miners lived in the 1850s. You can walk through the village for free, and there's a museum where you can learn even more about miner life (tickets required). Meanwhile, further east toward the East Stroudsburg area, visit Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm to see what farm life was like years ago. There are lots of events held at various times of the year, like the fall Harvest Festival, Spooky Days at Halloween time, the spring Farm Animal Frolic, and the Old Time Christmas celebration.

Restaurants Kids Will Love in the Poconos 

Powerhouse Eatery  – White Haven

This casual-fine dining restaurant serves up steaks, chicken entrees, seafood, and pasta. There's also a diverse kids' menu featuring meatballs, chicken parm, steak, grilled cheese, and even calamari.

Boulder View Tavern – Lake Harmony

Enjoy a great meal with views of the lake at Boulder View Tavern, where the menu includes shareables, handhelds, and entrees like short rib grilled cheese, a smoked reuben, blackened salmon, lobster ravioli, and flat iron fajitas.

Dock on Wallenpaupack – Hawley

Enjoy an unforgettable meal on the Dock on Wallenpaupack (at Silver Birches), with fabulous views of the water. Feast on tacos, seafood, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and more.

Jubilee Restaurant – Pocono Pines

Grab a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Jubilee, which has a great patio for outside dining. Closed Mondays.

Family-Friendly Hotels in the Poconos 

Comfort Inn Pocono Lake Region – Lake Ariel

Located near Lake Ariel, this hotel offers one- or two-bed rooms with a fridge and microwave, and you'll get free hot breakfast in the morning.

Silver Birches Resort – Hawley

Stay right on Lake Wallenpaupack, where rooms have fabulous views. Stay steps away from the water in the inn (rooms and suites available) or a cottage. Some cottages sleep up to 10 people. Or families can get cozy in a Bunkhouse 2-bedroom unit featuring—you guessed it—a set of bunk beds for the kids. 

Skytop Lodge – Skytop

Splurge on a weekend stay at this beautiful hotel boasting gorgeous views of the mountains. Enjoy on-site breakfast or dinner at the Windsor farm-to-table restaurant, try Callaway's deli, or grab a snack at the Corner Roast coffee shop. Stay in the main hotel or choose a cozy cottage room. This hotel has seven different zip lines at the Adventure Center for those over age 10 who love heights and thrills.

Seasonal Autumn Attractions and Events in the Poconos 

Mazezilla at Klinger’s Farm

An annual fall staple, Mazezilla is an 11-acre corn maze with a brand-new design to explore (and get lost in!) every year. There’s plenty of other fall fun at this farm as well, including hayrides, a pumpkin patch, and tasty fall treats. 

The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival at Country Junction

Country Junction, renowned as the “World’s Largest General Store” is worth a visit anytime, but during the fall they host the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival every weekend. The festival boasts hayrides, carnival rides, a bounce house, live music, and delicious pumpkin treats. While you're there, check out the fun center (complete with bowling and arcade games) and the free petting zoo as well.

Fall Fest at Yenser’s Tree Farm

Celebrate Fall Fest every weekend at Yenser’s Tree Farm. The seasonal attractions include free hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a five-acre corn maze, and a corn cannon. Be sure to check out the Farm Fun Zone, where you’ll find a giant bounce pad, bubble station, tire mountain, and obstacle course with a zip swing.

Electrifying Jack O’ Lanterns

This walk-through experience on The West End fairgrounds features thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, both real and “forever.” Despite its name, there’s nothing scary about this all-ages exhibit — just lots of creative and artistic jack o’ lanterns! After you view the display, relax with a hot cocoa and enjoy the food trucks, fire pits, and s’mores kits. 

Local harvest festivals

September and October bring an abundance of events to the Pocono region, with various towns and establishments hosting their own harvest festivals throughout the season. Some can’t-miss fests include Fall Fest at Camelback Resort (with pumpkin bowling, goat snuggling, and a Howl O’ Ween doggie costume parade), Hawley Harvest Hoedown (with a lumberjack competition, cornhole tournament, and scarecrow costume contest), and the Harvest Festival at Quiet Living Historical Farm (with pumpkin decorating, pony rides, and historical re-enactments). Find a full list of local events here. 

Read Next: A Perfect Fall Weekend in the Hudson Valley

Sarah Jacknis contributed reporting to this story.