Memorial Day Weekend in the Poconos: Planning Guide

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer in the Pocono Mountains, and it is one of the busiest, and best, weekends of the entire year to visit. The weather is warm, the outdoor attractions are fully open, the lakes are ready for swimming, and the entire region is buzzing with energy. If you are thinking about spending Memorial Day weekend 2026 in the Poconos, this guide will help you plan everything from where to stay and what to do to how to avoid the crowds and make the most of the long weekend.

Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25. Most visitors arrive Friday, May 22, and depart Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning, making it a three- to four-night trip. This is one of the most popular weekends on our booking calendar at Pocono Pads, and our properties typically sell out weeks in advance. If you are reading this and have not booked yet, now is the time to lock in your dates.

What Is the Weather Like in the Poconos on Memorial Day Weekend?

Looking for a base camp for all of this? Pocono Pads Management has a range of fully stocked vacation rentals across the Pocono Mountains — from lakeside cabins to mountain chalets — all professionally managed and guest-ready from the moment you arrive. Browse properties at poconopads.com.

Late May in the Poconos is typically beautiful. Average daytime highs range from 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows in the high 40s to mid-50s. The trees are fully leafed out, wildflowers are blooming, and the landscape is lush and green. Rain is possible, May averages about 4 inches of precipitation, but it usually comes in afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly.

Water temperatures in lakes and rivers have warmed enough for swimming by Memorial Day weekend, though they are still refreshing (expect lake temperatures in the low to mid-60s). The Delaware River is typically in the mid-60s, fine for kayaking and tubing, though a bit brisk for casual swimming.

Pack layers for the evenings. Even when daytime temps are in the 70s, mountain nights can drop into the upper 40s. A hoodie, a light jacket, and long pants for the fire pit are essential.

What Opens for the Season on Memorial Day Weekend?

Memorial Day weekend is the grand opening for many Poconos seasonal attractions:

• Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark: The outdoor waterpark at Camelback Mountain typically opens for the summer season on Memorial Day weekend. Features include 37 slides, two wave pools, a lazy river, a FlowRider surf simulator, and dedicated kiddie areas. This is one of the biggest draws in the Poconos for families.

• Lake swimming beaches: Public beaches at Lake Wallenpaupack (Palmyra Township Park), Promised Land State Park, and within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Milford Beach, Smithfield Beach) open for the season with lifeguards on Memorial Day weekend.

• Boat rentals: Marinas on Lake Wallenpaupack and other lakes open their full rental fleets, pontoon boats, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, for the summer season.

• Tubing on the Delaware River: River outfitters (Chamberlain Canoes, Kittatinny Canoes, Adventure Sports) open their tubing runs for the summer season. Water temperatures and levels are usually ideal for tubing by late May.

• Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park: If not already open for the season, the zoo in Hamlin is fully operational by Memorial Day weekend.

• Outdoor dining patios: Many restaurants in the Tannersville, Stroudsburg, and Hawley areas open their outdoor seating for the summer season.

Top Things to Do Memorial Day Weekend in the Poconos

For Families

• Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark: Spend a full day at the outdoor waterpark. Arrive when gates open (typically 10 AM) to beat the biggest crowds. The park offers a range of thrills for all ages, the bigger slides for teenagers and adults, the kiddie areas and wave pools for younger children. Pack sunscreen and reapply frequently; the mountain sun is strong. Tickets are cheaper if purchased online in advance, check the Camelback website for 2026 pricing and promotions.

• Lake day at Wallenpaupack: Rent a pontoon boat and cruise the 52 miles of shoreline. Pack a cooler with lunch and drinks, anchor in a quiet cove, and let the kids swim off the back of the boat. This is the quintessential Poconos summer experience, and Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to start the tradition.

• Bushkill Falls: The waterfalls are still running strong in late May, and the park is fully open with all trails, activities, and the snack bar operational. The Blue Trail (all eight waterfalls, 2.5 miles) is a full-morning adventure that the whole family will remember.
  

For Couples

• Wine and spirit tasting: Visit Mountaintop Distillery in Mount Pocono for craft cocktails and a tasting, then head to one of the area's wineries for an afternoon of sipping in the sun. It is a relaxing, adult-oriented way to spend a Saturday.

• Dinner in Stroudsburg: Book a table at Terrapin for one of the best meals in the Poconos. Follow it with a stroll through downtown Stroudsburg, which comes alive on warm evenings with people spilling out of bars and restaurants onto the sidewalks.

• Sunrise hike at Mount Tammany: For the ambitious early risers, a sunrise hike up Mount Tammany on the Red Dot Trail is one of the most magical experiences in the region. Leave the parking lot at 5:15 AM, reach the summit by 6:30 AM, and watch the sun rise over the Delaware Water Gap. Bring coffee in a thermos. You will feel like you have the whole world to yourself.
  

For Friend Groups

• Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River: Memorial Day weekend is peak rafting season on the Lehigh, when the Army Corps of Engineers coordinates dam releases that create Class II to III whitewater through the Lehigh Gorge. Outfitters like Jim Thorpe River Adventures, Whitewater Challengers, and Pocono Whitewater offer half-day and full-day trips. This is a group-bonding experience that everyone remembers, expect to get soaked, laugh uncontrollably, and immediately want to do it again. Book in advance; Memorial Day trips sell out.

• Camelback Mountain Adventures: Zip-lining, mountain coaster, treetop obstacle course, the outdoor adventure park at Camelback is fully open by Memorial Day and is a blast for friend groups. The dual zip-line (4,000 feet long, up to 60 mph) is a highlight.

• Jim Thorpe day trip: Spend a day in the charming town of Jim Thorpe. Bike the Lehigh Gorge Trail (rent bikes from Pocono Biking and ride the 26-mile downhill stretch from White Haven), explore the shops and galleries on Broadway, visit the Old Jail Museum, and end with dinner and drinks at a waterfront restaurant.

How to Avoid the Memorial Day Crowds

Memorial Day weekend is busy. There is no getting around it. But with smart planning, you can minimize the crowds:

• Book accommodations early. Our Pocono Pads properties for Memorial Day weekend typically book six to eight weeks in advance. If you are reading this in April and want a Memorial Day rental, check availability immediately at poconopadsmgmt.com.

• Hit popular attractions early. Be at Bushkill Falls when the gates open at 9 AM. Arrive at the Mount Tammany parking lot by 7 AM. Get to Camelbeach when the waterpark opens. The crowds peak between 11 AM and 3 PM.

• Go to less-visited spots. While everyone is at Bushkill Falls, you could have Dingmans Falls or Raymondskill Falls nearly to yourself. While the masses are at Camelbeach, you could be on a quiet stretch of the McDade Trail. The Poconos are large enough that there is always somewhere uncrowded, you just have to know where to look.

• Make reservations for dinner. The best restaurants near Camelback and in Stroudsburg will be packed on Friday and Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend. Reserve a table a week in advance. Or better yet, cook at your rental, stop at ShopRite or Weis Markets on Friday, stock up on provisions, and fire up the grill. Every one of our properties has outdoor grilling equipment.

• Avoid I-80 on Friday afternoon. The eastbound-to-westbound traffic on I-80 between the George Washington Bridge and the Delaware Water Gap is legendary on Friday afternoons before holiday weekends. If you can leave before 1 PM or after 8 PM, you will save yourself an hour or more of bumper-to-bumper driving. Alternatively, take Route 206 through New Jersey to avoid the worst of the I-80 congestion.

Memorial Day Weekend Itinerary: The Perfect Long Weekend

Here is a sample four-day itinerary that covers the best of the Poconos:

If you are planning a trip around these experiences, Pocono Pads Management can match you with a rental that puts you close to the action. Our properties are vetted, well-maintained, and stocked with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Friday (Arrival Day)

• Arrive at your Pocono Pads property in the late afternoon

• Stop at the grocery store on the way in to stock up for the weekend

• Unpack, explore the house, get settled

• Evening: Grill dinner at the house, fire pit session, hot tub under the stars

Saturday (Adventure Day)

• Morning: Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River (half-day trip, 8 AM departure) or Camelbeach waterpark for families

• Lunch: Barley Creek Brewing Company in Tannersville

• Afternoon: Camelback Mountain Adventures (zip-lining, mountain coaster) or leisure time at the house (pool, hot tub, games)

• Evening: Dinner at Frogtown Chophouse or Desaki, then back to the house for a bonfire

Sunday (Nature Day)

• Morning: Hike Mount Tammany or the Cliff Trail at Bushkill Falls

• Lunch: Pack a picnic and eat at a scenic overlook or at the Hialeah Picnic Area along the Delaware

• Afternoon: Kayaking on the Delaware River or pontoon boat on Lake Wallenpaupack

• Evening: Cook a big group dinner at the house, this is often the most memorable meal of the trip

Monday (Memorial Day)

• Morning: Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, soak in the hot tub

• Late morning: Pack up, check out by 11 AM

• Optional: Stop in Jim Thorpe or Stroudsburg for brunch and browsing on the way home

• Drive home before the evening traffic rush (aim to be on the road by 2 PM)

Where to Stay for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is a premium weekend, and the right property makes all the difference. Here are our top recommendations by group type:

• Large family or friend group (12-16 guests): The Green Monster is our flagship property, 16 guests, indoor slide, bar area, and minutes from Camelback. Spring Getaway is another excellent option for 16 guests, with a bunkroom, jacuzzi, and fire pit that become the social hub of the weekend.

• Mid-size family (10-12 guests): The Cozy 5BR sleeps 12 with a pool (perfect for Memorial Day weekend weather), hot tub, fire pit, and game room. The Lakefront House sleeps 12 and puts you right on the water, ideal if your weekend plans revolve around the lake.

• Smaller group or couples' retreat (10 guests): Rustic and Modern sleeps 10 with a hot tub and fire pit, 15 minutes from Camelback. It has a quieter, more intimate feel that works for smaller friend groups or multi-couple getaways.

• Nature lovers (up to 15 guests): Creekside sleeps 15 on a trout stream with a treehouse and bunkroom. If your group wants to fish, hike, and immerse in nature, this is the property.

• On an exciting note, for those of you who want to extend the summer vibes beyond the Poconos, our team has recently expanded to Bradenton, Florida with Flamingo Sol, a sunny property featuring a pool, pickleball court, and basketball court. It is our first property outside Pennsylvania, and we are thrilled to offer guests a beach getaway option alongside our mountain retreats.

Booking Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

• Book now. Seriously. Memorial Day is one of the top three busiest weekends in the Poconos (along with July 4th and fall foliage weekends). Our properties book out four to eight weeks in advance for this weekend.

• Consider a Thursday arrival. If your schedule allows, arriving Thursday evening instead of Friday gives you an extra day at a lower nightly rate and lets you avoid the Friday traffic entirely.

• Ask about minimum night requirements. Most properties (including ours) require a minimum three-night stay over Memorial Day weekend. Plan accordingly.

• Read the property details carefully. Make sure the property you choose has the amenities that matter to your group, hot tub, pool, fire pit, game room, lake access, etc. Our property pages on poconopads.com have detailed descriptions, photos, and amenity lists for every home.

People Also Ask

Q: What is the best time to visit the Pocono Mountains in spring?

A: Late April through May is the sweet spot for a spring Pocono trip — wildflowers are in bloom, waterfalls are at peak flow from snowmelt, and the summer crowds haven't arrived yet. Pocono Pads Management sees a strong uptick in bookings for May weekends, so we recommend reserving early if you have specific dates in mind. Weekday stays in April offer the best combination of availability and off-season pricing.

Start planning your Memorial Day weekend now at poconopads.com. Browse our properties, check availability for May 22 to 25, and reach out to our team with any questions. We have been hosting Memorial Day weekends in the Poconos for years, and we know exactly how to help you build a long weekend your group will talk about all summer.