Most ice skating in the Poconos happens on natural lake ice in the state parks. It's free, you bring your own skates, and nobody checks the ice for you, so it depends on a cold enough winter. For a sure thing, Skytop Lodge turns its Pavilion into an indoor rink each winter and lets the public book sessions.
Sledding is harder to find than you'd think. None of the state parks near our homes lists a sledding hill on its winter page, so we've only listed places where sledding is officially allowed. If you want to slide downhill, the snow tubing parks at the ski resorts are the reliable choice.
Skating on the state park lakes
- Tobyhanna State Park: skating is allowed on the natural ice of the lake, in a 1.2-acre area near Parking Area #3.
- Gouldsboro State Park: a one-acre skating area near Parking Lot #4.
- Hickory Run State Park: skating on Sand Spring Lake when conditions allow. Snow isn't cleared for skating, so bring a shovel after a storm. Handy from Lake Harmony and Albrightsville.
- Promised Land State Park (Pike County): skating on Promised Land Lake, conditions permitting.
- Beltzville, Big Pocono and Lehigh Gorge state parks don't list ice skating on their winter pages.
- On every park lake the ice thickness is not monitored. DCNR's Winter Report lists snow and ice conditions by park from December to the spring thaw, so check it before you go.
Sources: Tobyhanna State Park: winter · Gouldsboro State Park: winter · Hickory Run State Park: winter · Promised Land State Park: winter · DCNR: where to ice skate · DCNR Winter Report
Ice safety: the state's rules of thumb
- DCNR's minimum is 4 inches of solid ice for a single skater and 7 inches for a small group. Test the thickness with an auger before you skate.
- Ice near the shore is weaker, and so is ice around logs, brush, plants and docks, over cracks and under standing water. Several days above freezing weaken the ice.
- Moving water erodes ice from below, so take extra care near rivers and streams.
- Don't skate alone, spread out, and bring safety gear. DCNR also advises wearing a life jacket.
- Community lakes (Emerald Lakes, Lake Harmony, Arrowhead and others) set their own winter rules. Ask your host before stepping onto a community lake.
Sources: DCNR: sledding and ice skating
Indoor and resort rinks
- Skytop Lodge (One Skytop Lodge Road, Skytop) turns its Pavilion into an indoor skating rink every winter, with daily sessions for all ages. It's open to the public on non-holiday dates, and outside guests reserve online. Hockey games and hockey gear aren't allowed.
- Skytop hadn't posted its 2026-27 opening date or prices as of November 14. Last season non-guests paid $20 for skate rental and rink fee, or $10 with their own skates, and the rink closed for the season on March 17, 2026.
- Woodloch Resort in Hawley has a synthetic-ice rink, but it's for resort guests (rink and rentals are included with a stay).
- Pocono Township says its TLC Park in Tannersville has an ice rink in winter when it's cold enough to be safe. The township doesn't post hours or fees, so check before you go.
- Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston (12 Old Boston Road) is the nearest year-round indoor arena, north of the Poconos. Public skates are Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, with a Friday night Cosmic Skate. Skate rental is included with admission, tickets are sold online and sessions can sell out.
Sources: Skytop Lodge: ice skating · Woodloch: ice rink · Pocono Township: parks · Revolution Ice Centre: public skating
Where you can go sledding
- Prompton State Park near Honesdale (Wayne County) says its hills are good for sledding.
- Lackawanna State Park, north of Scranton, recommends the gentle slopes by Hilltop Pavilion. It's outside the Poconos but on DCNR's statewide sledding list.
- Tobyhanna, Gouldsboro, Hickory Run, Big Pocono, Beltzville, Promised Land and Lehigh Gorge don't list sledding on their winter pages.
- In the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, sledding isn't allowed on the grounds of Cliff Park.
- For a guaranteed slide, the ski resorts run lift-served snow tubing parks: see our snow tubing guide. Many rental homes have a sloped yard, so ask your host whether guests may sled there.
Sources: Prompton State Park: winter · DCNR: where to sled · NPS: Delaware Water Gap winter activities
