1. Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area 🌲💦
Town: Blakeslee, PA
Trail Length: 0.5 to 2.3 miles
Skill Level: Easy to Moderate
Dog Policy: Leashed dogs welcome!
Just a short drive from Mountain Nest, the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area offers 130 acres of trails, waterfalls, and picnic spots perfect for a family day out.
👣 Choose Your Trail:
- Pine Trail (Orange Blaze): A gentle half-mile stroll, great for kids.
- Highland Trail (Blue Blaze): A one-mile loop through hardwoods and pines.
- Creek Trail (Red Blaze): A little over two miles following the creek, bring your camera!
🎣 More to Enjoy: Wide, flat waterfalls make a beautiful backdrop for photos, fishing is allowed in season, and leashed pets are welcome. Pack a picnic and enjoy the peaceful scenery together.
Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the water, the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area is a nearby gem your whole group will love.
👉 Ready to make more lifetime family memories in the Poconos? Book your stay at Mountain Nest today.
2. Hickory Run State Park
Town: White Haven, PA
Trail Length: Hawk Falls (0.6 mi), Shades of Death (~1 mi)
Skill Level: Easy to Moderate
Dog Policy: Leashed dogs are allowed (but not in beach areas)
Discover Hickory Run State Park 🌲🏞️
On the western edge of the Pocono Mountains, between Lake Harmony and Jim Thorpe, you’ll find Hickory Run State Park, nearly 16,000 acres of natural beauty open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset.
With more than 40 miles of hiking trails, the park is perfect for every season. Trek out to see stunning waterfalls, wander through the famous Boulder Field National Natural Landmark, or explore the exhibits at the scenic visitor center.
Families can enjoy swimming at Sand Spring Lake in summer, fishing for stocked trout in the streams, or heading back in winter for cross-country skiing and snowy adventures.
Camping and cottages are also available for those who want to stay overnight.
🍂 Highlights include:
- Hickory Run camping and cottages
- Boulder Field National Natural Landmark
- Waterfalls and scenic hiking trails
- Stocked trout streams
- Swimming at Sand Spring Lake
- Winter sports and snowy fun
- Local restaurants nearby
Whether you’re looking for hiking, fishing, swimming, or simply soaking up the Pocono scenery, Hickory Run State Park has something for everyone year-round.
👉 Ready to make more lifetime family memories in the Poconos? Book your stay at Mountain Nest today.
3. Lehigh Gorge State Park
Town: Weatherly, PA
Trail Length: Up to 26 miles, Buttermilk Falls Spur (~0.2 mi)
Skill Level: Easy
Dog Policy: Leashed dogs welcome
Adventure Awaits at Lehigh Gorge State Park 🌊🚴♂️
Lehigh Gorge State Park is a summer playground filled with waterfalls, trails, fishing spots, and even whitewater rafting. With more than 6,000 acres of natural beauty and a rich history, it’s one of the Poconos’ most exciting outdoor destinations.
The park stretches across Luzerne and Carbon counties, where the steep-walled gorge towers above the winding Lehigh River.
Starting at the Francis E. Walter Dam in the north and flowing down to Jim Thorpe in the south, the park offers multiple access points at Glen Onoko, Rockport, and White Haven.
🚴 Don’t Miss:
- 26 miles of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor – a smooth gravel trail for hiking and biking
- Scenic waterfalls tucked into the gorge
- Whitewater rafting adventures on the Lehigh River
- Trout fishing in pristine waters
- Easy access points and parking at Glen Onoko, Rockport, and White Haven
From its fascinating history to its endless outdoor activities, Lehigh Gorge State Park is the perfect spot for adventure, whether you’re exploring by bike, paddle, or hiking boots.
👉 Ready to make more lifetime family memories in the Poconos? Book your stay at Mountain Nest today.
4. Bushkill Falls
Town: Bushkill, PA
Trail Length: 0.25 to 2 miles
Skill Level: Easy to Moderate
Dog Policy: Leashed dogs allowed
Discover the “Niagara of Pennsylvania” – Bushkill Falls 💦🍃
Just outside Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the village of Bushkill, a series of stunning waterfalls tumble from the mountains into the Delaware River. Known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” Bushkill Falls features eight breathtaking cascades, including the towering 100-foot Main Falls and the graceful Bridal Veil Falls.
Since opening to the public in 1904, Bushkill Falls has remained family-owned, with admission fees helping to maintain rustic log boardwalks and bridges. These winding paths make it easy for visitors to explore the streams, forests, and ravines that surround the falls.
🌲 Choose Your Trail:
- Green Trail: 15 minutes to the Main Falls (some steps, no climbing).
- Yellow Trail: 45 minutes to Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, and Upper Canyon.
- Blue Trail: 1 hour 15 minutes with views of Pennell Falls.
- Red Trail: A nearly 2-mile, 2-hour hike that rewards you with all eight waterfalls.
Whether you’re taking a short stroll or tackling a longer hike, Bushkill Falls is an unforgettable spot to experience the natural beauty of the Poconos.
👉 Ready to make more lifetime family memories in the Poconos? Book your stay at Mountain Nest today.
From gentle boardwalk strolls to big-adventure hikes, each of these Poconos destinations offers a chance to reconnect with nature, and with each other!