Experience the Breathtaking Beauty of Big Pocono State Park
You don’t want to miss out on all the fun activities at Big Pocono State Park. From incredible hikes to scenic horseback riding, there are so many adventures waiting for you in the park. Take a look below to see what you can expect to discover during your visit!
For even more things to do in and around the Pocono Mountains, access our FREE Vacation Guide! It gives you a local’s perceptive into our favorite sights, eats, and more!
7 Fun Adventures to Have in Big Pocono State Park
1. Explore via a Hike
Since Big Pocono State Park encompasses a mountaintop, the hiking trails here are steep and challenging. While the terrain is rugged, the views are breathtaking, so it’s certainly worth the effort, but be sure to prepare adequately and be careful while hiking. That being said, there are over eight miles of beautiful Poconos wilderness available to you via trails. From the summit, you can see a magnificent view of a vast portion of eastern Pennsylvania as well as portions of New Jersey and New York.
Trails at Big Pocono State Park
- North Trail
- South Trail
- North Trail Lower Loop
- Upper Loop of South Trail
- Indian Trail
If you haven’t quite gotten your fill of the great outdoors after you’ve hiked the trails at Big Pocono State Park, there are a few geocaches in nearby locations outside of the park. Geocaching is a fun way to explore an area and sometimes go off the beaten path, and it adds an element of surprise, as you never know what you’ll find!
2. Challenge Yourself on a Mountain Bike
Mountain biking at Big Pocono State Park is allowed on South Trail and North Trail Lower Loop, as well as on hard surface roads used by vehicles. Get ready for a fun ride!
3. Enjoy the Sights Via Horseback
As with mountain biking, horses are allowed on hard surface roads, the South Trail, and North Trail Lower Loop. It’s a completely different experience when you can experience the boundless natural beauty of the Poconos from the back of a majestic horse.
4. Have a Picnic
There are plenty of places to relax and have lunch under the wide-open sky. Pack a picnic and settle in at one of the three designated picnic areas or find a quiet spot where you can catch your breath after a vigorous hike. No matter where you sit, you can expect to enjoy fantastic views.
5. Downhill Skiing in the Winter
If you find yourself at Big Pocono State Park during the winter, make time to visit the Camelback Mountain Ski Area! Downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, terrain parks, and more fun in the snow await you!
6. Catch Glimpses of Local Flora and Fauna
There is a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and mountainous flowers like laurel and rhododendron throughout Big Pocono State Park. This vegetation, in turn, supports a variety of wildlife. It is not uncommon for visitors to have seen a black bear during their visit, so keep an eye out!
7. Leaf Peeping in the Fall
The Poconos are unquestionably a popular destination for admiring fall foliage. And it’s no wonder—autumn is one of the most beautiful times to visit the Poconos. With leaves changing comes vibrant hues of red and orange that set the mountains, rolling hills, and ridges ablaze with color. There are several different places you can go to get the best views of the fall foliage, but Big Poconos State Park is an excellent place to go since you get such expansive views from the summit.
When is the Best Time to Visit Big Pocono State Park?
Summer and fall are the most popular times to visit Big Pocono State Park. This is when the weather at Big Poconos State Park is the best—temperatures don’t tend to get much higher than the 80s during the summer, and fall brings cooler weather and incredible colors.
Other Things to Do in the Poconos
Big Pocono State Park is but one of the many opportunities to explore the Poconos. There are also waterfall hikes, hikes in other state parks, and activities on the water like kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Stay in a Lakeside Lodge
Mountaintop Lodge at Lake Naomi provides the perfect place for you to rest after a day of exploring the Poconos. Our rooms are outfitted with everything you need for a relaxing stay, and we are more than happy to help you with any questions you might have during your visit. An added benefit of staying at the Lodge is that you’ll get complimentary access to the amenities at Lake Naomi Club, which includes access to activities on the private Lake Naomi as well as the expansive Community Center.
Book your escape in the Pocono Mountains today!
