Experience the Great Outdoors in Northeast Pennnsylvania

Spring is around the corrner and your opportunity to explose some of Pennsylvania's state and national parks in the region. Boasting the majestic Endless Mountains and the pristine Upper Delaware River, Northeastern Pennsylvania offers some of the best treks beside waterfalls and sweeping overlooks.

World’s End State Park may not be at the literal world’s end, but it may be the end of your pursuit for the best hiking around. Providing nearly 800 unspoiled acres to explore in the center of Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains, the park provides stunning environs for hiking, swimming, and camping. Visit the breathtaking Cottonwood Falls along the Double Run Nature Trail, get your fill of panoramic views on the 60-mile-long Loyalsock Trail, or climb the steep but short trail to the picturesque Worlds End Vista.

A novelty among state parks is Archbald Pothole State Park, a park with the world’s largest known geologic pothole, formed by receding glacial waters during the last ice age. The park itself is only 150 acres, with an overlook and some unofficial trails, but its namesake elliptical depression provides a dramatic cross section of natural history as well as local history. At 38 feet deep and 42 feet wide, this geological phenomenon was a curiosity when it was discovered in 1884 and remains so in 2021.

Big Pocono State Park on the slopes of Camelback Mountain, offers 8.5 miles of hiking trails for the proficient hiker or mountain biker, who will be amply rewarded with spectacular views of three states. While most of the hiking trails within this 1,306-acre park involve steep inclines and rough terrain, a paved, 1.4-mile loop around the surface of the mountain is accessible to the less experienced hiker. Novice hikers are encouraged to contact the Tobyhanna State Park office for more information prior to setting out.

The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is a vast national park which preserves the last major free-flowing river in the eastern states, providing some of the most sought-after boating, fishing, and hiking. In addition to being the home of the bald eagle, black bear, and white-tailed deer, this region is home to a number of charming historic buildings (including the oldest wire cable suspension bridge built by John A Roebling and the house of author Zane Grey). With six hiking routes of different lengths and difficulty levels, all outdoor enthusiasts can be accommodated regardless of skill. Please consult the park’s guide when selecting a route.