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    Big Pocono State Park

    4.5 (24 reviews)

    Big Pocono State Park Photos

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    Jon S.

    Wow, great park to catch some seriously amazing views! If you can get here for sunrise or sunset, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just make sure you skip out after dark, I'm pretty sure this has got to be a hot spot for people to make out and smoke some weed, wait why are we leaving at sunset again? Drive to get up here can be pretty windy and steep. And be careful, saw plenty of deer going both up and down and pretty sure we saw a bear too! Lot of paved places to go so I'd say it's a fairly accessible park too! My wife had no issues getting her wheelchair around. So if you're in the area and want some great views, some good walks, and a place to smoke up and make out, you could do far worse.

    Summit top seating.
    Hank C.

    Located right back past Camelback (you drive past the resort/ski area), this park has a scenic view of the surroundings. You drive to nearly the summit and then can hike down towards the other areas. The trails are well-marked and some can be very long and difficult (the steeper ones particularly). Watch the long grass, though, ticks are common in the area. People generally good about social distancing though some of the people out don't seem to care (no masks and don't give you distance at all). Windy at the top, though, so bring a jacket if you go early in the morning.

    Aloha, Big Pocono State Park. Aloha.
    Louis R.

    Fukn awesome views from an elevation of 23248723648 ft. Lots of trails to hit, some are sick, some are sicker. Not too packed with dirty New Yorkers, thank god. Everyone was friendly that we passed (again, not many New Yorkers), so it was serene and pleasant on a brisk weekday/weekend. Took like 2314269342 pictures. I will be back.

    Indian Trail Scenic Lookout
    Christopher C.

    Almost three years to the date and it's time to check back in with Big Pocono. This is still a good park not in so much because of what it offers but because it's size makes it very approachable and the views from that elevation are excellent. On our most recent visit last week we got there mid-day on a weekend and there were a few cars in lot #2 but overall things were pretty dead. On the way you pass lot #1 and no one was there and we walked around the parking lot perimeter that has lots #3 and #4 and they were equally dead. We covered the Indian Trial which is a mile and change, about two miles of the South Trail, the Vista Trail Stub and the entire bowl of the Rim Road loop for another mile and change. We're not winning any triathlons but then again you're only doing so much when you've got July humidity hard at work. A few observations: Not that I want to see any but even though there are warning signs for venomous snakes in multiple areas of the park we've never seen one or any bears. What you will see in summer are more than your fair share of bugs and ticks so plan accordingly. Most people visiting the park are not coming to hike. I think it's mostly people who are visiting/staying at Camelback who just happen to find out/stumble across this place by accident as it's right next door. It's close enough that when you're in parking lots #1 and #2 you can hear people down at the water park. Most people who do come are either there to picnic or just show up to take a look at the view and then get back in their car. By the time we left, lot #2 was packed and there were multiple cars in lot #3 yet on the 5+ miles of trails we were on I think we saw maybe five other people. The restroom situation here is alright. There is a newer piss in a hole outhouse setup near lot #2 but the one near lot #4, just don't. Overall nice small park that provides excellent views of the area and probably is must see material for fall colors. Definitely worth a visit.

    Tick
    Melissa T.

    The scenic view is beautiful there. It's a must see! I decided to take a hike at the south trail and passed by a lot of amazing flowers along the way. While walking down the trail, I had ecountered a lot of ticks on my body as well as my daughter's body. We thought we got ridof the ticks before getting into the car, but it was hidden in my daughter's hair. I found a few ticks in the car and on her leg. I would not recommend bringing younger kids through the trails.

    from the peak
    Tak K.

    This state park offers a gorgeous view of forests from the picnic area at the peak. There are a few grills and you can drive right up to the peak, so it's a great place for a barbecue. If it's too windy, there are lower picnic areas that are more secluded as well. We took a hike which was a short (1.5mile) loop from the peak. It was a very nice and leisurely hike until we hit the very end and saw the sign saying "This area is open for hunging. Visitors should wear fluorescent orange." Uh, how about another sign at the other end of the trail??? Or were we clueless and stupid tourists? So be warned, unless you know this as a common sense because you grew up wearing a fluorescent orange vest whenever you were playing in your backyard.

    View of Delaware Water Gap from Big Pocono State Park.
    J L.

    A beautiful park with scenic views. The North Trail Lower Loop connects to the lower end of South Trail which is mostly level ground so if you have aging dogs or if you want to take a leisurely hike, this is the trail for you. The North and South Trails extend down the east side of the mountain. It is rocky and steep with about 600 ft change in elevation in less than a mile. The South Trail is open to mountain bikes and horses. If you are looking for beautiful scenery, take the Indian Trail which has a great view from the eastern cliffs. This trail connects to the South Trail half way across this section from Parking 3 through Vista Trail which is a shorter loop.

    Arcadio M.

    The views from the top are amazing and there is a variety of trails ranging in difficulty. I'm by no means an expert but I found the trails to be pretty easy to handle. Plenty of parking and several trails to take along with a place to stop and eat makes this a great destination in the Poconos.

    Pa Aramaic view of the south side

    Wow what incredible views! It was raining and foggy but the views were still impressive. We did the Indian Trail hike which Is stayed as easy but good hiking shoes are a plus!

    View from south trail

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    19 days ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great place to get away with the kids and take a walk and enjoy the sunshine, pack a lunch, and held out.

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Beautiful scenic sites from top of the Hill. A great place to take pictures and walk your dog.

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    14 years ago

    I love this park, nice trails for all levels of difficulty, never many people around and the views are stunning!

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Had a great hike here. Can't wait till fall when the colors change. Just remember, if you go down, you gotta come back up.

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    11 years ago

    What a beautiful park! There's a great area for kids and acres to explore. It can get chilly, so I would recommend bringing layers.

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    Ask the Community - Big Pocono State Park

    What is the picnic area like? Do they have grills there?

    Yes there are several grills at the top

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Big Pocono State Park

    If you are looking for beautiful scenery, take the Indian Trail which has a great view from the eastern cliffs.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Edge of the Woods Outfitters

    Edge of the Woods Outfitters

    4.7
    (119 reviews)
    11.9 mi
    $$

    Fun time kayaking on the Delaware River with a group of 13! The serenity of the river and nature…read morewas incredible. The water is warm even though it was only 70 ish degreees.

    (This was a few months ago so the details could be a bit iffy.)…read more This was a very impromptu trip and everything at Edge of the Woods makes doing that easy. Head to the website, book the date & time you want and you're done. www.watergapadventure.com/river-trips A few things worth noting: They offer multiple trip lengths. The standard 4-, 6- and 10-mile trip (Smithfield to Portland) are all booked generically and then when you get there you tell them what you want to do. All pricing is the same which believe me compared to others companies, that's very different - in a good way. They do offer two other longer trips but those require calls to the main office I assume to assess river conditions; your own competency and shuttle availability. The main office in Delaware Water Gap is very easy to find and there was plenty of parking on a quiet post-Labor Day Monday. You check in, you're handed a laminated map, life jacket and given a brief route explanation and then you're off in the van. One problem arose and it was kind of a PIA but it was worked around. Most companies have different types/sizes/models of kayaks and quite often, will ask you what you prefer. Not here. When we left the office, the guy driving didn't say a word to me until we get to Smithfield Beach to unload. He had a few kayaks pre-loaded in the carrier but definitely did not look at them before we left. One of them had a broken foot pedal that he said couldn't be used, another was very much designed for a smaller individual (i.e. if you're taller and/or taller & larger it ain't happening safely) which only left two tandem models. Using a tandem as a single individual is not the end of the world but especially when the seats are still left in the two person configuration (i.e. one front and one back versus the rear one being placed more towards the middle), it's a PIA to maneuver the craft and you are paddling harder to get the job done compared to a single. The scenery along the route was decent. You could see a bit of the Shawnee Resort and Golf Course, an old stone bridge abutment in the middle of the river, under and along 80 and then when you get into the Water Gap itself with the high cliff sides. Very picturesque. Once you go under the old train viaduct in Portland, you give the office a call for the shuttle to meet you at the out point which is at the Portland Pedestrian Bridge. The whole experience was about four hours door to door to cover the ten miles on the water plus the shuttle to & from the pick up and drop off points. Lots of nice scenery, due to the low water level there wasn't much in the way of current except for the area around viaduqt in Portland and even that wasn't bad. I'm not a big fan of the equipment here but I wouldn't let that deter me from coming back in the future for one of their northern longer trips.

    Photos
    Two person kayak fun.
    Two person kayak fun.
    Edge of the Woods Outfitters
    Edge of the Woods Outfitters

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    Delaware River Tubing

    Delaware River Tubing

    2.6
    (245 reviews)
    37.5 mi

    Our family has enjoyed tubing on the delaware every summer for years. It's a great way to spend an…read moreafternoon in nature

    Honestly, I don't know why this place got such few stars? The four stars that I've assigned as well…read moredeserved. I visited on a weekday and perhaps that made all the difference in the world. My experience form beginning to end was fantastic. I think one thing that seems to bother most people is the BBQ lunch. The BBQ lunch was apart of my package and when I arrived they were just loading the buns to be taken out on the river. I'm getting a little ahead of myself here but you'll understand in a minute. When I arrived, there were already several eager adventurous folks checking in, buying waterproof items for sale, collecting their water rafts and some even already on the water. I checked in with my Groupon and as directed, I left my keys - collected my Kayak and proceeded to the bus. Please note, the rule is, everyone must wear a mask until you're actually on the water; great rule as it gets crowded in the shop as well as on the bus. It keeps everyone safe. I chose the kayak experience which was awesome but the real fun is in a tube. After my journey down the river, I immediately purchase another Groupon just so that I could come back and have a tubing experience. So, back to the BBQ lunch. By the time I paddles my way down (a few signs for the waters edge for direction) to the BBQ shack on the water, they were still setting up. I guess I paddle too fast. I decided to keep moseying down the river as I had already packed a lunch just in case after reading the reviews about the BBQ shack not being up and running. Oh well, next time I'll enjoy a burger. Again, this is the perfect mid week escape. The ride outside of NY is quick and there's plenty of parking. Although it says Delaware tubing it's actually located in New Jersey; well at least the border between the two. I would recommend going early and taking as much time as you like in a tube with family and friends. I would also recommend bringing children as they will develop a lifelong love of being on the water. I'm a big fan now and I can't wait to return in a few weeks. P.S. I was told by my bus driver, they offer a fall foliage experience where they only allow kayaks on the river.

    Photos
    Delaware River Tubing
    Delaware River Tubing
    Delaware River Tubing
    Delaware River Tubing
    Delaware River Tubing

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    Delaware River Tubing
    Kittatinny Canoes

    Kittatinny Canoes

    2.3
    (95 reviews)
    37.1 mi

    Staff super nice but no security at night. We had a group of 40 people blasting loud music with…read morebass ALL hours of the day and night. We told staff and they did speak to them. They still played the loud music and after 10pm continued to scream and make as much noise as possible. We nicely spoke to them ourselves as well but that didnt stop the noise. We werent able to relax and enjoy nature the entire 3 days, so we left a day early. I emailed twice and filled out the campgrounds survey, and no one has gotten back to me. Terrible customer service. They need security at night all times of the year to prevent this. I would never go back again because of that. You want, quit... look elsewhere. All reviews say the same thing it seems. Wish i would have looked first.

    Full transparency, I have limited camping experience, and we booked our stay for Memorial Day…read moreweekend, which is typically a cold and rainy time, so we didn't get the chance to fully enjoy or experience the amenities. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The campsites are well-spaced, and each spot comes with a picnic table. The bathrooms were well-maintained and clean, and the water temperature was warm enough for a comfortable shower. The camp also has a small store with all the essentials, and there's a Walmart and McDonald's nearby for anything you may need beyond that. They keep the area tidy, with clean trash bins and bags provided, and the trash is picked up in the morning. The only downside was the lack of night patrol. There were several loud parties making it difficult to sleep, though I understand this is more of an issue with guests not being considerate. Additionally, the site next to ours had a notably loud snorer, which made things a bit more challenging. Overall, I had a pleasant stay and would recommend Kittatinny K-Camp.

    Photos
    Friends and Family
    Friends and Family
    Riverside
    Riverside
    Kittatinny Canoes

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    Kittatinny Canoes - Dingman’s Base

    Kittatinny Canoes - Dingman’s Base

    2.9
    (37 reviews)
    28.9 mi

    You lost out on $900 this season, and annually. Agree with the recent reviews. Take the Dingman's…read moreparking option and route off your website entirely. Emails and calls for months, constantly got the run around and was told on the phone I need a group of 30 in order to park there and be taken to River Beach and float down, instead of the 14 that I was bringing to your company. Gladly chose Adventure Sports for $200 less and canoeing the lower river. Will actively use other outfitters going forward for our annual reunion trips. You tried to undo last years trip and sorry I gave the benefit of the doubt that a group would be honored this year.

    I believe this is one of the greatest places to go for kayaking in PA. This company offers 17 miles…read more(one of the few), 10 miles, and 6 miles kayaking. If you are looking for a good workout then 17 miles is definitely the option to go for. My group and I kayaked a year or two ago and it took approx. 5 hrs nonstop to get it done. Thus, you may need to show up early to the place around 9 am to account for resting and other delays. Also, the company closes at 6pm and if you return the equipment past 6pm then you will be charged of some penalty... Anyways, my group and I also kayaked 10 miles and it took approx. 3 hrs to be finished. The water in this river is very calm with some currents that may be able to help you out to gain speed from time to time. There is nothing dangerous at this river so you can easily enjoy and have an amazing time with your group. There is a cliff that you can climb almost at the end of the ride where you get to jump down into the water. The height can be approx. 10-15 feet high. The feeling that you get from jumping down can be amazing!

    Photos
    Delaware water gap
    Delaware water gap
    Enjoying the outdoors in a hammock.
    Enjoying the outdoors in a hammock.
    Kittatinny Canoes - Dingman’s Base

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    The Last Frontier Angler

    The Last Frontier Angler

    5.0
    (1 review)
    22.4 mi

    Highly Recommend My…read morewife got me a lesson and some time on the water as a gift I did not know what I was in for but it far exceeded my expectations Chris is passionate about fly fishing and it comes across in how he teaches it. If you have any interest at all in Fly Fishing don't hesitate, get in touch with Chris to get you on the right path. He is also very knowledgeable of NJ Waters. New or not spending time on the water with Chris is highly recommended.

    From the owner: We are a Fly Fishing Guide Service specializing in providing unique outdoor adventure…read more We serve all skill levels! Don't know how to Fly Fish and want to learn? We can teach you to Fly Fish with our private Fly Fishing 101 course. Are the lakes frozen? Join us on an ice fishing adventure during the winter months! We have a private stocked pond that is great for children. Our service has access to a private facility at the Lazy "K" Ranch in Frelinghuysen, New Jersey and we access various other private and public water. We are a "western style" Fly Fishing guide service and provider of outdoor adventure. We specialize in Trout and Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing in Sussex and Warren county New Jersey. Our services include guided walking/wading trips on the Flatbrook, Paulinskill and Pequest rivers. Additionally, we offer float trips on the Delaware River and lake trips on Swartswood Lake, White Lake and Mountain Lake.

    Photos
    New Jersey Rainbow Trout
    New Jersey Rainbow Trout
    Tiger Trout caught on one of our ponds.
    Tiger Trout caught on one of our ponds.
    Chris casting for Tiger Trout on our pond.

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    Chris casting for Tiger Trout on our pond.
    Whitewater Challengers

    Whitewater Challengers

    3.9
    (186 reviews)
    22.4 mi

    Seamless trip - easy to ensure that you are fully equipped for the trip with wetsuit rental and…read morelunch grab bags. River guides always on hand for any 'involuntary out of raft experiences' or if anyone got stuck. Perfect balance of feeling adventurous for the kids and safe for the adults.

    I have booked with White Water Challengers before and was excited to return because of the great…read moreexperiences I have had in the past. Unfortunately, our recent trip with a group of six was extremely frustrating due to the organization and scheduling. Our original time slot was changed because there were not enough groups, which we understood. However, our new 10:20 time slot was expanded to accommodate additional groups, and we were then required to wait an extended period for a very large group that arrived late. As a result, we did not begin rafting until after 12:15, and the safety review had to be rushed because of the delay. Throughout the trip, our group was repeatedly forced to stop and wait for the late group, who frequently fell out of their raft and struggled to follow the safety instructions. I estimate we spent close to an hour collectively waiting along the river. Even the group scheduled after ours eventually passed us, and we did not return to the bus until shortly after 5:00. I want to emphasize that Olivia, Bailey, Kristen, and Sid were excellent guides and did their best under difficult circumstances. My frustration is entirely with the organization and scheduling of the trip. Additionally, while this was outside of anyone's control, we paid for Class II and III rapids, but the river flow that day was approximately 820 CFS, making the experience much closer to Class I and II. I hope you will take this feedback seriously, as this experience was significantly different from the positive experiences that led me to book with White Water Challengers again.

    Photos
    July 2008
    July 2008
    Waiting
    Waiting
    Whitewater Challengers

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    Big Pocono State Park - hiking - Updated August 2026

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