By Emily Whalen • Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau
Spring is on the horizon, and it’s the perfect time to start planning a trip to enjoy the delicate green hues, warmer temperatures and abundance of outdoor experiences in the Pocono Mountains.
Find fun things to do in the Poconos in March and April! Reconnect with Mother Nature during a hike or bike ride, discover local wildlife, take a one-of-a-kind guided tour and so much more. Whether you’re traveling by yourself or gathering with family and friends, whether you’re seeking the tranquil or the exhilarating, discover eight things to do in the Poconos this spring.
1. Biking
The two national parks and nine state parks in the Poconos total over 100,000 acres, providing plenty of biking trails to cycle in the spring months. Explore a wide variety of terrain and take in scenic views as you skirt the shores of a pristine lake at Prompton State Park or Tobyhanna State Park or wind alongside the Lehigh River on a portion of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor path in Lehigh Gorge State Park.
Need a bike rental? Reach out to Lehighton Outdoor Center in Lehighton or Pocono Biking in Jim Thorpe and book a multi-mile trip. Edge of the Woods Outfitters in Delaware Water Gap offers bike rentals along the McDade Recreational Trail throughout the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
2. Wildlife Viewing
Another way to enjoy national and state parks in the area is to try Pocono wildlife and bird watching. There are many animals to spot in the Poconos: watch red squirrels trying to get a lick of the season’s sweet rising sugar maple sap or search for salamanders and wood frogs emerging in the bogs of the Pocono Plateau. You may even find Pennsylvania black bears in the Poconos; remember to observe from a safe distance and do not feed wildlife.
Bald eagles can typically be spotted in the area in the winter, December through March, but there are many migrating feathered friends arriving in the Pocono Mountains in the spring, including over 20 singing species of warblers. Take a look at this guide to natural events during the vernal equinox and throughout the year from Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC).
Local centers including PEEC, Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, and Van Scott Nature Reserve of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy offer tours, hands-on programs, hikes and events perfect for family outings. Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary and Lacawac Sanctuary are also home to peaceful trails which preserve natural habitats while offering opportunities for observing wildlife.
3. Hiking
Over 126 hiking trails cover 261 miles of Pocono Mountains beauty. Hike throughout the area and discover meandering lanes leading to the tallest peaks and the lowest valleys. Find a quiet walk through nature preserves and old growth forests, take on a section of the famed Appalachian Trail, or enjoy the flowering trees framing the lake at Beltzville State Park .
With treks ranging in difficulty, there’s a hike for everyone. Enjoy a panoramic view with the surrounding hills covered in the lacy green of new leaves or seek out a majestic waterfall. There are 19 waterfalls scattered all through the region’s hiking trails, including Bushkill Falls, “The Niagara of Pennsylvania.”
4. Driving & Guided Tours
See the Poconos from a new point of view during our driving and guided tours. Hop in a vintage motorcycle sidecar and let a local guide do the steering during a scenic trip with Jim Thorpe Sidecar Tourz or take to the road on three wheels with popular Pocono Slingshot Rentals starting in May.
A rainy spring day is a great excuse to see where the delicious magic happens inside at Pocono Organics or Moka Origins Roastery Cafe and Chocolate Factory. Flutter over to the Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary to learn, engage and interact with exotic butterflies, frogs, turtles, glow fish and more.
5. Fishing
With 122 miles of stocked river and 11,285 acres of stocked lakes, you’ll wonder why you haven’t fished the Pocono Mountains sooner! Angling requirements vary by location; you can fish without a license at pay lakes like Paradise Fishing Preserve or Big Brown Fish and Pay Lakes, but anglers over 16 at public parks like Promised Land State Park and Mauch Chunk Lake Park will need a current fishing license from the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Fishing licenses as well as launch permits and boat registration can be renewed or purchased from the PFBC official website.
Pennsylvania Trout Season begins on Saturday, April 6, 2024, so grab your rod and reel and head to the water. Check the trout stocking schedule to find the best times to fish. Need some tips to catch the big one? Guided fishing trips are available from outfitters like Captain Joe’s Fishing & Waterman Services. Whether you’re an avid angler or a beginner, trips can be customized to fit your experience, time and budget.
6. Golfing
It wouldn’t be spring without golf. Tee off at a wide variety of greens that have seen professional and championship play for generations. Legendary golf courses in the area include The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, which was completed in 1910 and features A.W. Tillinghast’s first-ever design. You’ll also find nationally-recognized courses like The Country Club at Woodloch Springs.
With the season beginning in April at places like Country Club of the Poconos, golfers can play on a multitude of courses to suit any preference. Every course in the region boasts the iconic beauty of the Poconos and breathtaking landscape views.
7. Whitewater Rafting
Pocono rivers are flowing just in time to start off the spring whitewater rafting season. Pocono Whitewater Adventures has been offering fun trips on the water for over 40 years. Check out 2024 dam release dates on the Lehigh River plus upcoming events and deals with outfitters like Whitewater Rafting Adventures. Many whitewater rafting retailers like Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers offer biking and hiking activities as well as multi-day trips.
Take a look at Lander’s River Trips and Kittatinny Canoes for whitewater rafting on the Delaware River. Interested in something a little slower? Enjoy family-friendly guided trips down the river or rafting and tubing at your leisure.
8. Horseback Riding
Saddle up for some horseback riding through the spring forests and fields! Whether you’re a single rider looking for a canter during a solo trip or planning an excursion with family and friends, local stables accommodate groups of all sizes and riders of all skill levels.
No experience required; if you’ve always wanted to get on a horse, this is the perfect time to try. Bushkill Riding Stables and Happy Trails Stables love beginners. At Mountain Creek Riding Stable and Daisy Field Farm, you can also book hay wagon, carriage and pony rides.
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