Canadensis (say "can-ah-DEN-sis") is an unincorporated village in Barrett Township, Monroe County (ZIP 18325), centered on the crossroads of PA 447 and PA 390. It has a handful of small shops, restaurants, churches and inns, surrounded by woods, summer camps and old resort communities such as Skytop and Buck Hill Falls.
It's the quiet, northern side of the Poconos. Skytop Lodge is about 7 minutes away, Promised Land State Park about 20, and the supermarkets on Route 940 in Mount Pocono about 15 to 20. Its neighbors are Cresco and Mountainhome to the south, Skytop to the northeast and Panther to the north.
Things to do in Canadensis
- Skytop Lodge, One Skytop Lodge Road, Skytop: the historic mountain resort, about 7 minutes away. See our Skytop Lodge guide.
- Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown: about 3,000 acres on the Pocono Plateau at 1,800 feet, with two lakes, two free sand beaches in summer and about 50 miles of trails. About 20 minutes north on PA 390.
- Spruce Lake Retreat, 5389 Route 447: a retreat center, camp and campground run by the Franconia Mennonite Camping Association.
- Buck Hill Falls, a few minutes south, is a private member community founded as a Quaker retreat more than 120 years ago, with a historic golf course and tennis since 1913.
- Mount Airy Casino Resort is about 15 minutes away, Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge about 25, and Camelback about 30.
Sources: Skytop Lodge · DCNR: Promised Land State Park · Spruce Lake Retreat · Buck Hill Falls
Restaurants near Canadensis
From the restaurant list our hosts hand to guests, all in Cresco and Mountainhome, a few minutes south:
- The Frogtown Chophouse, 472 Red Rock Road, Cresco (570-895-4460): an American steakhouse at Woodfield Manor, dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Reservations are highly recommended.
- Basso Cucina Italiana Restaurant & Wine Bar, Cresco (570-595-0500): family-owned regional Italian.
- Bloomin' Onion Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Cresco (570-595-3141): Italian-American dishes, a salad bar and a weekend lunch buffet.
- Mountainhome Diner (570-595-2523): an old-school diner with breakfast all day.
Canadensis by season
- Winter: Promised Land lends snowshoes for free, and ice fishing is allowed there (the park doesn't check the ice). Camelback and Shawnee Mountain are about 30 to 40 minutes away.
- Spring: Pennsylvania's trout season opens in early April, and the woods around the village leaf out in May.
- Summer: Promised Land's two sand beaches are open Memorial Day to mid-September, with electric-motor boating on its lakes.
- Fall: color usually peaks in early to mid October, and Hawley Winterfest (December 11 to 13, 2026) is about 45 minutes north.
Barrett Township short-term rental rules
- Every short-term rental needs a yearly Barrett Township permit, issued to the owner. If the home is in a property owners' association, the owner needs the association's written approval first.
- Occupancy: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 (for example, 3 bedrooms = 8). Day guests up to half the overnight maximum.
- Park on the property only, never in the road right-of-way or on lawns. No RVs, tents or outdoor sleeping, no fireworks or lanterns, and no subleasing.
- Every host on our site is responsible for the home's township short-term rental permit. Your host will confirm house rules, occupancy limits and any community passes before you arrive.
Sources: Barrett Township forms & applications · Chapter 391, Short-Term Rental Units (eCode360) · Barrett Township permit guide for owners · Permit rules by township
Groceries, pharmacy, urgent care and the ER
- The nearest full supermarkets are in Mount Pocono, about 15 to 20 minutes away: ShopRite of Mt Pocono, 89 State Route 940 ((570) 839-3885), and Weis Markets, 3236 Route 940.
- CVS Pharmacy, 958 Route 390, Cresco, about 4 minutes away.
- JeffExpress Urgent Care–Tobyhanna, 100 Community Drive, Tobyhanna ((570) 839-1400): open every day, 8 AM to 8 PM, about 20 minutes away.
- Nearest emergency rooms, each about half an hour away: Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono Creek, 1328 Golden Slipper Road, Bartonsville (open 24/7), and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono, 206 E. Brown Street, East Stroudsburg. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources: ShopRite of Mt Pocono · JeffExpress Urgent Care–Tobyhanna · LVH–Pocono Creek ER
How far is it from Canadensis?
Drive times from the crossroads on map routes, without traffic:
- CVS in Cresco: about 4 minutes. Skytop Lodge: about 7. Mount Airy: about 15. Mount Pocono: about 20. Promised Land State Park: about 20.
- Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge: about 25 minutes. Camelback and Stroudsburg: about 30. Tobyhanna State Park: about 30.
- Pocono Raceway: about 40 minutes. Hawley: about 45. Bushkill Falls: about 50. Scranton: about 55.
- New York City (Times Square): about 2 hours 10 minutes (92 miles). Philadelphia: about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Getting to Canadensis
- By car: PA 447 runs north from East Stroudsburg (I-80) to the village, and PA 390 comes up from the Route 940 side. From New Jersey, the Delaware Water Gap toll bridge charges westbound only ($2.00 E-ZPass, $5.00 by plate for a car in 2026).
- By bus: the nearest Martz Trailways stops from New York are Mount Pocono (2 Fork Street, about 18 minutes away) and the Park & Ride on Route 447. You'll need a car from there.
Sources: Martz schedule and stops
