Summer in the Poconos is about water: sand beaches at the state parks, rowboats and kayaks for rent on the lakes, whitewater on the Lehigh River and outdoor waterparks at Camelback and Kalahari.
Most beaches and boat rentals run from about Memorial Day to Labor Day or mid September. Hours, water levels and beach conditions change, so check before you go.
Beaches and boat rentals
- Hickory Run State Park, Sand Spring Lake: late May to mid September, 8am to sunset, no lifeguards. The beach has had bacteria closures in the past, so check the park's page first.
- Tobyhanna State Park: beach from Memorial Day weekend to mid September, swim at your own risk. Rowboats, kayaks, paddleboats, canoes and electric motorboats rent daily through Labor Day.
- Promised Land State Park: two sand beaches, Memorial Day to mid September, plus a boat rental concession.
- Mauch Chunk Lake Park near Jim Thorpe: beach about Memorial Day to Labor Day, 11am to 7pm, and kayak, canoe, rowboat, paddleboat and paddleboard rentals. Non-powered and electric motors only.
- Beltzville State Park near Lehighton: a 525-foot sand beach and kayak, paddleboat and pontoon rentals (book pontoons ahead).
Rafting and biking near Jim Thorpe
- Raft the Lehigh River with one of four licensed outfitters: Pocono Whitewater and Jim Thorpe River Adventures in Jim Thorpe, Whitewater Challengers in Weatherly and Whitewater Rafting Adventures in Nesquehoning. Summer trips depend on scheduled dam releases.
- Bike the Lehigh Gorge Trail, about 26 miles of crushed-stone rail-trail, mostly downhill from White Haven to Jim Thorpe. Local outfitters run bike shuttles.
Hiking, waterparks and more
- Walk across the Boulder Field at Hickory Run, a National Natural Landmark.
- Visit Bushkill Falls, a privately run waterfall park with trail loops and bridges, on the east side of the Poconos.
- Camelbeach, Camelback's outdoor waterpark in Tannersville, opened its 2026 season on June 12. Kalahari's outdoor waterpark is open in the warm months.
- Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton runs a summer adventure park, scenic lift rides and a mountain bike park.
- NASCAR comes to Pocono Raceway in Long Pond on June 11 to 13, 2027.
