Best Summer Hikes in the Pocono Mountains
Summer in the Pocono Mountains brings long days, warm temperatures, and some of the best hiking conditions you will find anywhere in the Northeast. The canopy is fully leafed out, the streams are running clear, and the ridgelines deliver views that stretch for miles across green valleys and blue-tinged mountains. If you are planning a summer trip to the Poconos, especially if you are staying near the Camelback area, hiking should be at the top of your list.
Our team at Pocono Pads spends a lot of time on these trails year-round, and summer is when the Poconos feel most alive. The variety here is what sets the region apart: you can do a quick waterfall walk before breakfast, tackle a challenging ridge hike by midday, and cool off at a swimming hole by afternoon. This guide covers our favorite summer hiking trails across the Pocono Mountains, organized by difficulty, with practical details on trailhead parking, distances, and what to expect on the ground.
What Are the Best Hikes Near Camelback Mountain in Summer?
Pocono Pads properties put you within minutes of the Poconos' best summer experiences — lakefront access, hiking trailheads, and water park shuttles are all nearby depending on which property you choose. Browse our summer availability at poconopads.com.
This is one of the most common questions we get from guests staying at our properties near Tannersville and Mount Pocono. The Camelback area is centrally located in the Poconos, which means you are within a 30-minute drive of dozens of excellent trails. Here are the ones we recommend most often.
Camelback Mountain itself offers hiking in summer through its adventure resort trails. The mountain has several marked paths that wind through hardwood forest and open meadows, with views of the Pocono Plateau from the summit area. These trails are moderate in difficulty, and if you want to skip the hike up, you can ride the resort's scenic lift and hike down. The adventure park (zip lines, mountain coaster, treetop obstacle course) is right there too, making it easy to combine a morning hike with an afternoon of adrenaline.
Glen Onoko Falls Trail, or what remains of it, is about 25 minutes from Camelback near Jim Thorpe. The Pennsylvania DCNR officially closed the original Glen Onoko trail in 2019 due to safety concerns, but the Lehigh Gorge Trail that runs along the river at the base is still fully open and offers a beautiful, flat 26-mile route between White Haven and Jim Thorpe. You can hike or bike any section of it. The stretch near Glen Onoko is particularly scenic in summer, with views of the Lehigh River gorge and chances to spot great blue herons, bald eagles, and osprey.
Big Pocono State Park sits on the summit of Camelback Mountain and is free to access. Three trails loop through the park: the North Trail (1.5 miles), the South Trail (2 miles), and the Indian Trail (2.5 miles). The summit elevation is 2,133 feet, and on clear summer days, the views from the fire tower area extend into three states, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The park has picnic areas and restrooms at the summit. It is a moderate hike up from the base or you can drive to the top and do the loop trails from the summit parking area.
How Hard Are the Hikes in the Poconos?
The Poconos offer a wide range of difficulty levels, which is part of their appeal for families and mixed-ability groups. Here is a breakdown of the best summer trails by difficulty.
Easy Trails for Families and Beginners
Dingmans Falls Trail is a 1-mile round trip on a mostly boardwalk path within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The trail leads to two waterfalls: Silverthread Falls (80 feet) and Dingmans Falls (130 feet, the second-tallest in Pennsylvania). In summer, the water volume is lower than spring but still impressive, and the cool, shaded gorge offers a welcome break from the heat. The trail is free, the parking lot is free, and the boardwalk is partially wheelchair-accessible. It is about 40 minutes from the Camelback area.
Promised Land State Park has a network of flat to gently rolling trails around two lakes. The Conservation Island Trail (1.5 miles) is perfect for young children, and the longer Bruce Lake Trail (4.5 miles round trip) leads to an isolated glacial lake that feels a world away from civilization. Summer weekends bring swimmers, kayakers, and anglers to the park, but the trails stay relatively uncrowded. The park is about 35 minutes north of Camelback.
The McDade Recreational Trail runs 32 miles along the Delaware River within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. You do not need to hike the whole thing, popular summer sections include the stretch from Milford Beach (great for a swim afterward) and the segment near Bushkill Access, where you can combine a hike with a river float. The trail is mostly flat and well-maintained, suitable for all fitness levels.
Moderate Trails Worth the Effort
Mount Tammany at the southern end of the Delaware Water Gap is arguably the most iconic hike in the Poconos. The Red Dot Trail to the summit is 1.5 miles with roughly 1,200 feet of elevation gain, steep, rocky, and demanding, but the views from the top are extraordinary. You look straight down into the Delaware Water Gap, across to Mount Minsi in Pennsylvania, and up and down the river valley. The full loop (Red Dot up, Blue Dot down) is about 3.5 miles. In summer, start early, the exposed sections get hot by midday, and parking at the Dunnfield Creek trailhead fills by 9 AM on weekends. Bring at least a liter of water per person.
Bushkill Falls, the Niagara of Pennsylvania, has multiple trail loops ranging from the easy Green Trail (0.3 miles to the main falls viewpoint) to the Red Trail (2 miles), which takes you through all eight waterfalls. The Cliff Trail section of the Red Trail involves staircases, bridges, and gorge-rim walking that feels genuinely dramatic. Summer is peak season at Bushkill Falls, so expect crowds. Admission is around $18 for adults and $10 for children in 2026. Go on a weekday morning if you can.
Tobyhanna State Park offers a 5-mile loop trail around Tobyhanna Lake that is well-suited for a summer morning hike. The terrain is gentle, the lake views are constant, and there are several spots where you can access the shoreline for a cool-down. The park is about 20 minutes from Camelback and has picnic areas, a beach, and boat rentals, easy to turn a morning hike into a full day.
Challenging Trails for Experienced Hikers
Mount Minsi, on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap, mirrors Mount Tammany across the river. The Appalachian Trail climbs Mount Minsi from the Kirkwood parking area, gaining about 1,000 feet over 2 miles. The summit views are spectacular, and the trail is generally less crowded than Tammany. In summer, the forest canopy provides decent shade for most of the climb, but the last half-mile is exposed. Total out-and-back distance is approximately 4.5 miles.
The Appalachian Trail through the Poconos runs for roughly 35 miles from the Delaware Water Gap to Wind Gap. Day-hiking sections of the AT is a popular summer activity. The stretch from Kirkwood to Sunfish Pond (about 4.5 miles one way) leads to a beautiful glacial lake perched on the ridge of the Kittatinny Mountains, one of the most scenic spots on the entire AT in Pennsylvania. This is a full-day commitment: expect 9 miles round trip with significant elevation changes.
Blooming Grove Trail System in Pike County offers more remote, less-trafficked options for hikers who want solitude. The trails wind through State Game Lands and connect to portions of the Thunder Swamp Trail system. These are rugged, unmarked in places, and best for experienced hikers with GPS or solid map-reading skills. But the payoff is real wilderness, bog meadows, old-growth hemlock stands, and a silence you rarely find this close to New York City.
What Should You Bring for a Summer Hike in the Poconos?
For a hassle-free summer escape, Pocono Pads handles all the details — so you show up to a clean, stocked, and ready home every time. Our guest support team is available throughout your stay if you need anything at all.
Summer hiking in the Poconos requires some specific preparation. Daytime temperatures in June and July typically range from 75 to 88 degrees, and humidity can be high, especially at lower elevations.
Water is non-negotiable. Bring at least one liter per person per hour of hiking. Many Pocono trails do not have potable water sources.
Sun protection matters even on shaded trails. Apply sunscreen before you start, and bring a hat and sunglasses for any exposed ridgeline sections.
Bug spray is essential from late May through September. Mosquitoes, gnats, and deer ticks are all active. We recommend treating hiking clothes with permethrin and using DEET or picaridin-based repellent on exposed skin. After every hike, do a full tick check, Lyme disease is a real concern in this part of Pennsylvania.
Footwear should be sturdy. Even on well-maintained trails, the rocky terrain of the Poconos can be hard on ankles. Trail runners are fine for flat paths, but boots are better for anything with elevation gain.
A trail map or downloaded GPS route is important. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in many areas of the Delaware Water Gap and the state parks. Do not rely on your phone for navigation without having maps downloaded offline.
Are There Guided Hikes Available in the Poconos?
Yes. The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, offers guided hikes throughout the summer. Their naturalist-led programs cover everything from wildflower identification to birds of prey ecology to nighttime owl walks. Programs are open to the public and typically cost between $5 and $15 per person.
Several outfitters in the Jim Thorpe area also run guided hiking and biking excursions along the Lehigh Gorge Trail. Pocono Biking offers shuttle-and-ride packages that drop you off upriver and let you hike or bike downhill along the gorge, a great option if you want the scenery without the uphill grind.
Where to Stay for a Hiking-Focused Pocono Trip
The best base for summer hiking in the Poconos depends on which trails you want to hit. If you are primarily interested in the Camelback area and want quick access to Big Pocono State Park, Tobyhanna State Park, and Bushkill Falls, our properties near Mount Pocono put you right in the center of the action.
The Green Monster sleeps 16 and is located just minutes from Camelback, with an indoor slide, a bar area, and enough space for a large group to spread out after a long day on the trails. Creekside sits along a trout stream and sleeps 15, the backyard is essentially its own nature experience, with a treehouse and the sound of running water all day. Rustic and Modern is a great mid-sized option for groups of up to 10, with a hot tub that feels incredible after a tough summit hike.
All of our properties come with full kitchens, outdoor grilling areas, and fire pits, the trifecta for refueling after a day of hiking. Pack a cooler with your favorite post-hike meal ingredients, fire up the grill, and eat under the stars. That is the Pocono hiking experience at its best.
People Also Ask
Q: What are the best lakes to visit in the Pocono Mountains in summer?
A: Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Harmony, and Pocono Lake are the top three for summer activities — swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat rentals are all available. Pocono Pads Management has lakeside and lake-access properties near several of these, so guests can step out the back door and be on the water in minutes. Browse lake property options at poconopads.com to find one that fits your group.
Q: Are Pocono vacation rentals available for large groups or family reunions?
A: Yes — Pocono Pads manages several larger properties that comfortably accommodate groups of 10, 14, or even more. These homes typically feature multiple bedrooms, open-concept living areas, outdoor entertaining spaces, and amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, and large dining tables. If you're planning a reunion or group trip, reach out directly to our team and we'll match you with the right property for your headcount and vibe.
Ready to plan your summer hiking trip? Browse our full property lineup at poconopads.com and find a home base that puts you within easy reach of the Poconos' best trails. Summer weekends book up fast, so we recommend securing your dates early, especially for the Fourth of July stretch and NASCAR weekend.
