Pocono Mountains
2,400 sq mi of waterfalls, ski mountains, and lake resorts — the closest real mountains to NYC.
Distance
90 mi
Drive time
~110 min
Route
I-80 W from the George Washington Bridge — 90 mi to the Delaware Water Gap / Tannersville
Best window
Mid-September through late October for fall foliage — Big Pocono State Park summit is the photographer's pick
About Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains are a 2,400-square-mile range in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 90 miles and under two hours west of NYC via I-80 across the George Washington Bridge. It's the closest place to the city where you get genuine four-season mountain country — Delaware Water Gap waterfalls in summer, foliage on Big Pocono in October, and seven ski resorts (Camelback, Big Boulder, Jack Frost, Shawnee, Blue Mountain) in winter. A 12–15 passenger van turns the Poconos into a one-day ski trip, a weekend lake-house run, or a fall-foliage road trip for the whole crew.
Why it's worth the trip
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — 70,000 acres of waterfalls, hiking, and Delaware River access along the NJ/PA border.
- Seven downhill ski resorts within an hour of each other — Camelback is the closest and biggest for groups.
- Camelbeach (summer water park) and Kalahari Resort's indoor waterpark — rainy-day and winter backups.
- Lake Wallenpaupack — Pennsylvania's third-largest lake, with boat rentals, marinas, and lakefront cabins.
Things to do
What groups actually do at Poconos
Bushkill Falls
Eight-waterfall trail system called 'The Niagara of Pennsylvania' — 4 walking circuits from 15 min to 2 hours.
Camelback Mountain Resort
Closest major ski mountain to NYC — 39 trails, 16 lifts, and Camelbeach water park on the same property in summer.
Delaware Water Gap NRA
Free NPS recreation area — Dingmans Falls (130 ft) boardwalk, Raymondskill Falls, and the Pocono Environmental Education Center.
Kalahari Resort
America's largest indoor water park — perfect cold-weather group destination, lodge-style cabanas.
Hickory Run State Park
Boulder Field National Natural Landmark — 16-acre field of car-sized boulders, free to visit.
Lake Wallenpaupack
5,700-acre PA lake — pontoon and ski-boat rentals at Lighthouse Harbor Marina, fall-foliage cruises in October.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Poconos
- I-80 W from the GWB is the standard route — avoid Friday afternoons in winter and summer (3-hour delays through the Delaware Water Gap toll plaza are common).
- Camelback Mountain has van-friendly parking at Lot D — drop skiers and gear at the base lodge before parking.
- Most Pocono resort cabins do NOT have on-site charging or in-driveway parking for 15-passenger vans — confirm with the host before booking.
- Cell service is patchy in Delaware Water Gap and at the smaller lakes — download offline maps before leaving the I-80 corridor.
Camelback, Kalahari, and the major Pocono lodges all have standard-height lots that accept 12-15 passenger vans.
When to go
Best time to visit
Mid-September through late October for fall foliage — Big Pocono State Park summit is the photographer's pick. December–February for skiing (mid-January is most reliable snow). July–August for lakes and Camelbeach. Mud season (March–April) is the off-period.
Need a van for the trip?
Our New York fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers to JFK, LGA, EWR, and Manhattan / Brooklyn / Queens hotel doors.
See New York vansPlan your visit
Official Poconos resources
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
www.poconomountains.com
Delaware Water Gap NRA — NPS
www.nps.gov
Camelback Mountain Resort
www.camelbackresort.com
Bushkill Falls — official site
www.visitbushkillfalls.com
More background
Poconos FAQ
How far are the Poconos from NYC?
About 90 miles west of the George Washington Bridge via I-80 — usually 1.5 to 2 hours, longer on Friday afternoons in ski season or peak summer weekends.
Which Pocono ski resort is closest to NYC?
Camelback Mountain in Tannersville is the closest major resort (about 90 mi from the GWB) and the biggest of the Pocono ski areas. Shawnee and Blue Mountain are slightly farther west.
Can I do the Poconos as a day trip from NYC?
Yes — a one-day ski trip to Camelback or a fall-foliage loop through Bushkill Falls and the Delaware Water Gap both work comfortably in a single day. Lake Wallenpaupack is better as an overnight.
Are the Delaware Water Gap and the Poconos the same thing?
Not exactly — the Delaware Water Gap is the river gorge on the PA/NJ border at the eastern edge of the Pocono Mountains. The Gap is the dramatic NPS-managed entrance to the Pocono region from NYC.
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