Water Recreation in the Poconos
The expansive Pocono Mountain region is home two both the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers and 150 lakes! It’s not surprising that there’s a lot to do on the water during your Poconos vacation.
Kayaking and Canoeing in the Poconos
The gorgeous Delaware Water Gap is a fantastic place to take your kayaking or canoeing adventure. The Delaware River cuts between the Appalachian Mountains at the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, forming a unique area full of beautiful sights to see and fun things to do. Edge of the Woods Outfitters is a favorite for water recreation rentals in this area—they offer various sizes of kayaks, canoes, and rafts, and have several trips available for beginner or more seasoned boaters. The 4 mile trip, which takes about 2 hours, is great for families!
Many of the beautiful state parks across the region also offer opportunities to kayak and canoe. Promised Land State Park, for example, is home to the 422-acre Promised Land Lake. Several sizes of boats are available to rent, and you can explore the lake at your leisure!
Lake Swimming in the Poconos
If you’re looking for an alternative to crowded Jersey Shore beaches, the Pocono lakes are a great option! Many have sandy beaches and allow swimming. There’s nothing more nostalgic than looking back on summers swimming in the cool mountain lake water!
State parks are a great option for lake swimming in the Poconos. Hickory Run State Park has a great sandy beach at their Sand Spring Lake and a snack bar with snacks and ice cream available for purchase. When you’re done swimming, you can take a walk through one of their many trails, check out the Boulder Field, or the disc golf course!
Lake Wallenpaupack, a giant lake spanning 5,700 acres, offers a public sandy beach called the Palmyra Township Public Beach. When you want to stretch your legs after sunning at the beach, the 1.8 mile Wallenpaupack Walking Trail runs through the beach area.
Most lakes are open for swimming Memorial Day-Labor Day, but make sure to check the websites to make sure the lake is open before making your trip!
Pocono Boat Rentals
If you happen to own a motorboat or other recreational boat, Beltzville State Park is a fantastic option for boating. While there’s a maximum boating speed of 45 MPH, most types of boats are allowed (check with the office first to make sure!). The lake also has a designated area for water skiing. If you don’t own a boat, Beltzville Boat Rental offers various water vehicles, including pontoon boats for up to 8 people!
Lake Harmony is also a haven for boaters of all types. The lake, one of the largest in the Poconos, is a naturally formed glacial lake known for its clean, clear waters. Lake Harmony Watersports is your best bet for recreation on the lake—they offer wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Best Fishing in the Poconos
The Poconos have long been a lure (ha!) for those who love to fish. While the Poconos are probably best known for trout and bass fishing, you can find all kinds of fish in these waters, from perch and catfish to walleyes and stripers. Many of the region’s state parks offer excellent fishing opportunities, including Gouldsboro State Park, Tobyhanna State Park, and Promised Land State Park. Fishing licenses are required, which can be obtained through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
A great family friendly option for fishing in the Poconos is Paradise Brook Trout Company. Their fishing preserve has two lakes, one stocked with bass and the other with trout. You pay a small entrance fee and then pay per fish that you catch. This is a park setting (no boats required!), and you don’t have to have a fishing license. Pole rental and bait purchases are also available. Once you’re done, they’ll even clean your fish for you!
Whitewater Rafting in the Poconos
The Pocono Mountains are nestled between the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, creating lots of opportunities for river fun and adventure. The area has several companies that specialize in whitewater rafting, including Pocono Whitewater and Whitewater Rafting Adventures which both are both located on the Lehigh River near the quaint historic city of Jim Thorpe. Kittatiny Canoes, located in Milford, PA, serves gorgeous stretches of the Delaware River and offers rafting packages for newbies to more experienced rafters.
You should consider booking your whitewater rafting trip on a “dam release weekend”—times when extra water has been released into the rivers to keep them running smoothly. These weekends ramp up the excitement and challenge even more!