Saw Creek Estates is a private, gated community in Bushkill (ZIP 18324) with nearly 3,000 properties, about half of them weekend homes. It sits next to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and straddles the county line: part is in Lehman Township, Pike County, and part in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County.
It's one of the most amenity-packed communities in the Poconos, with its own small ski area, eight pools (four outdoor, two indoor and two kiddie pools), two lakes and a beach, tennis and fitness facilities and a restaurant and bar, all behind gates watched by the community's own 24/7 public safety patrols. It's about 85 miles from New York City.
Saw Creek Estates amenities
From the Saw Creek Estates Community Association's published amenity pages:
- A private ski area with 3 trails, a double chairlift, snowmaking, ski patrol, instructors and a rental shop. It's for homeowners and their guests only, open winter weekends 9:30 AM to 4 PM when conditions allow.
- 4 outdoor pools (Top of the World, the largest, with a tiki bar and snack bar; Mill Pond; Mountainside; and the Community pool), 2 indoor pools with whirlpool spas, and 2 kiddie pools. There are no lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
- 2 lakes, a beach on Mill Pond with a dock, kayaks, paddleboards and canoes, a fishing pond and a lakeside walking trail.
- 2 indoor and 9 outdoor tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, racquetball, volleyball, 2 playgrounds, a fitness center with weights and a sledding slope.
- The Top of the World complex has the restaurant and bar (live music, karaoke and comedy nights), the ski lodge, pools, courts and event rooms.
Saw Creek amenity hours (as posted Nov 2026)
From the association's amenity schedule. Hours change with the seasons, so check with your host.
- Outdoor pools: closed for the season. Top of the World indoor pool: closed until further notice.
- Mill Pond indoor pool: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4 to 8 PM; Tuesday and Thursday noon to 6 PM; Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM; Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.
- Fitness center and indoor courts: Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 8 PM, Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM.
- Top of the World restaurant: closed Monday to Wednesday; Thursday 4 to 9 PM, Friday 4 to 10 PM, Saturday noon to 10 PM, Sunday noon to 7 PM.
- Ski area: winter weekends, 9:30 AM to 4 PM, conditions permitting.
Saw Creek Estates rental rules
From the association's Rental Policy, effective January 1, 2026:
- Short-term rentals are allowed with a Lehman or Middle Smithfield Township permit. The association needs a copy of the permit before it will register renters.
- Your host registers every stay with Member Services at least 2 business days before you arrive. The owner pays a $50 registration fee per rental and a $325 yearly rental fee per property (as posted Nov 2026); late registrations cost extra.
- Only owners in good standing can rent. Owners who live more than 15 miles away must name a local contact who answers within 60 minutes.
- Amenity access fobs are required at every amenity. Renters need written authorization from the owner and a signed disclaimer.
- There are 4 gates: guests use the Main and Kirkham gates. Subletting and rental arbitrage are banned, and owners are fined for unregistered renters ($250) or renting without a township permit ($500).
Township short-term rental rules
- Lehman Township (Pike County side): the township says new short-term rentals aren't permitted in residential zones. Existing permits renew every 2 years, the permit number appears in every ad, and the main guest must be an adult with a written lease.
- Middle Smithfield Township (Monroe County side): a yearly short-term rental license. Occupancy is 2 people per bedroom plus 4, up to 14, with parking on the property only (at most 1 car per bedroom). After 2 credible noise complaints, the owner must install an outdoor noise monitor.
- 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: Lehman Township short-term rentals · Middle Smithfield Township short-term rentals · Middle Smithfield permit guide for owners · Permit rules by township
Things to do near Saw Creek Estates
- Bushkill Falls, about 15 minutes away (closed December through March). See our Bushkill Falls guide.
- Shawnee Mountain ski area, about 20 minutes south, for bigger slopes than the community hill.
- The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: trails, river beaches and the Pocono Environmental Education Center (about 30 minutes, free trails and weekend programs). Dingmans Falls is closed for construction.
- Downtown Stroudsburg's restaurants and the Delaware Water Gap itself, about 30 minutes.
Sources: Bushkill Falls park hours · NPS: current conditions
Saw Creek by season
- Winter: the community ski hill and sledding slope on weekends, the indoor pools, and Shawnee Mountain 20 minutes away.
- Spring: trout season opens in early April, and Bushkill Falls reopens for the season.
- Summer: all four outdoor pools, the Mill Pond beach and boats, and the Top of the World tiki bar.
- Fall: color usually peaks in early to mid October, best seen on the drive along US 209 and at Bushkill Falls.
Groceries, pharmacy, urgent care and the ER
- Price Chopper, 4547 Milford Road, East Stroudsburg (Marshalls Creek), open daily 6 AM to midnight with a pharmacy, about 18 minutes away.
- CVS Pharmacy, 5122 Milford Road, East Stroudsburg ((570) 223-2563), with a drive-thru, about 17 minutes away.
- JeffExpress Urgent Care–Middle Smithfield, 4541 Milford Road, Suite 2 ((570) 395-2530): open every day, 8 AM to 8 PM, about 18 minutes away.
- Nearest emergency room: Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono, 206 E. Brown Street, East Stroudsburg, open 24 hours, about 30 minutes. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources: Price Chopper Marshalls Creek · JeffExpress Urgent Care–Middle Smithfield · LVH–Pocono
How far is Saw Creek Estates from NYC and the Poconos' big attractions?
Drive times from the middle of the community on map routes, without traffic:
- Bushkill Falls: about 15 minutes. Price Chopper and urgent care in Marshalls Creek: about 18. Shawnee Mountain: about 20.
- Delaware Water Gap, PEEC and Stroudsburg: about 30 minutes. Camelback: about 50. Milford: about 50.
- Mount Airy: about 50 minutes. Kalahari: about 55. Pocono Raceway: about 1 hour 5 minutes.
- New York City (Times Square): about 2 hours 5 minutes (87 miles). Philadelphia: about 2 hours 35 minutes.
Getting to Saw Creek Estates
- By car: I-80 to Exit 309, then US 209 north through Marshalls Creek toward Bushkill. 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: Martz Trailways from New York's Port Authority stops on State Route 209 in Marshalls Creek. You'll need a ride from there, and your host must register your car for the gate.
Sources: Martz schedule and stops