By Judy Koutsky
The Poconos are the perfect setting for outdoor family fun. This Pennsylvania haven includes the famous Pocono Mountains, beautiful waterfalls, miles upon miles of woodlands and over 170 miles of winding rivers. That translates into endless possibilities for family fun: over 260 miles of hiking and biking trails, over 35 golf courses, nine state parks, two national parks and water activities including white-water rafting, boating, fishing, tubing, canoeing and swimming. What’s not to love?
What to Do:
Pocono Environmental Education Center
Phone: 570-828-2319
The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, combines education and nature in a beautiful setting. The study of nature and natural systems is the focus at PEEC, and the proximity to a quarter of a million acres of public lands, including the National Recreation Area and numerous state parks, forests and game lands, offer a world of opportunities to explore. Visitors can participate in planned public programs year-round or choose to explore one of PEEC's five scenic trails. The trails are well-marked and vary in difficulty; trail maps and information are provided at the main center.
Raymondskill Falls
Phone: 570-588-2447
To view beautiful waterfalls up close (you can actually feel the water spraying from the falls) head to Raymondskill Falls. Three different paths allow for varying views of the falls. The quarter-mile round-trip hike leading to the upper falls is perfect for families with little kids. The middle falls are a half-mile round trip and involve using steep and uneven stairs. This appeals to those travelers who are a little more adventurous. Finally the Raymondskill Creek train at the bottom of the ravine is a one mile round-trip with a steep ascent on the return and offers great views.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Phone: 570-426-2435
This park was established by Congress in 1965 for public outdoor recreation use and for the preservation of scenic, scientific, and historic resources. The area is rich in both cultural and natural history. The ridges and river valley contain streams, waterfalls, geologic features, a diversity of plants and wildlife, and traces of past occupants and cultures. Popular activities include canoeing, rafting, fishing, picnicking and camping.
Water Gap Trolley
www.watergaptrolley.com
Kids will love the one hour narrated tours aboard these historical trolleys. They’ll learn about the Native Americans and early settlers to this region. The trolleys operate seven days a week mid-March through November.
NEXT: Dining in the Poconos
