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By Ekem- Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania

The Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania have always been a choice destination for holidaymakers seeking to relax. It is no wonder then that the first resorts opened at the beginning of the 20^th century.

The mountains are knowns mostly for skiing and theatre. Numerous resorts are ranging from luxury to budget ones.

These mountains stretch for about 6,200 kilometres with the Delaware River and Delaware Water Gap to the east. To the west is west by the Wyoming Valley and the Coal Region. The northern side sits Lake Wallenpaupack.

Visitors of all ages have been to these mountain ranges and leave with pleasant memories. From the snow-capped mountains and ski slopes to cosy resorts and boutique hotels, you will not miss what suits you here.

That said, let us now look at the Top 10 Facts about Poconos Mountains.

1. It is a long stretch of mountains

The Poconos Mountains is vast and is believed to cover an area of about 2,400 miles. Within its confines are 4 counties; 2 National Parks; 9 State parks; 150 lakes; 19 waterfalls; 170 miles of rivers; and 7 ski areas.

Most of the residents living near the mountains cannot tell its beginning and its end. The counties that the mountains cross are Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne.

Some of the amazing water bodies found in this mountain range are Lake Wallenpaupack, Bushkill Falls and the Delaware Water Gap.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is on the eastern edge of the Poconos and includes 70,000 acres of wilderness.

There are rental cabins available nearby for hikers, skiers and all nature lovers.

2. You can visit the Poconos at any time of the year

Photo by Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) – Wikimedia

The great thing about these mountains is that you can visit them at any time of the year. Whether you want to ski, hike kayak, boat or snowboard, you will find fun and exciting activities to do here.

Just like most of the North-Eastern regions in the United States, the Poconos have four seasons. Spring or summer may check-in late but you can always count on those hot summers, snowy winters and mild springs.

This region covers the Delaware State Forest, that is made up of six designated natural areas, seven state parks, and seventeen state game lands.

3. It is known as the honeymoon capital

The Poconos Mountain region was once the most famous honeymoon destination. It had stiff competition with destinations around Niagara Falls.

There were several luxurious resorts with romantic settings that would attract couples from all the other states.

The first honeymooners to stay here came in 1945 after Rudolf Van Hoevenberg built the first resort. The resort was known as Farm on the Hill.

The resort cabins had a rustic feel to them but the downside was that the newlyweds were required to do all the house-keeping.

It was here that the first heart-shaped bathtub was ever built. The tub would be surrounded by large mirrors.

The luxurious resorts are however non-existent now with most of them destroyed, burned down or abandoned.

4. The first snowmaking machine was at the Poconos

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Snowmaking was patented at Big Boulder Ski Area in 1956. It was the first ski area to make snow for skiing.

The first patent application for the making of snow by blowing water through a nozzle was filed in 1950 and by the winter of 1956, the system was perfected and functioning at Big Boulder Ski Area, making the Poconos a huge ski destination.

We may not have invented the whole idea of making your snow, but Big Boulder gets credit for perfecting it! Thanks to the Poconos, you can ski even when there is no snow, as long as it’s cold enough to blow!

5. The Poconos mountain range is a skier paradise

The first moneymaking ski resort in Pennsylvania was opened during the winter of 1946 at Big Boulder Ski Area in Carbon County.

Four years later, the first snow blowing machine was acquired by the resort. They made snow by blowing water through a nozzle. With time they were able to perfect the art and attracted many ski lovers.

Shortly after in the late 1950s and 1960s, the interstates 80 and 81 were opened making the mountains easily accessible by vehicles. The first resort was family-owned providing cosy rooms in a tranquil environment for families.

6. The Poconos has one of the largest water parks

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Other than being a mountain range with the largest number of lakes and waterfalls, the Poconos boasts of having one of the water parks in the South East.

The Great Wolf Lodge, Split rock resort and Kalahari resort have some of the best indoor water parks. Camel Beach has an Aquatopia, that is among the largest in the area.

Due to demand, most of the resorts are adding up their water parks that will satisfy their customer’s needs.

7. There is a mysterious cold air cave in the Poconos

This one of the main attractions in the Poconos Mountains. If you are new, you will need a map or a guide to lead you to where it is. The locals who know the ins and outs of the Poconos can find the cave with no struggle.

The reason why it is called the cold air cave is that there is a rush of cold air at the mouth of the cave. You can feel the cold air by placing your hand towards the cave’s mouth.

Going into the cave is prohibited to protect the bats from white-nose syndrome.

8. The first hotel was established here in 1829

The first-ever hotel in the Poconos Mountains was built here in 1829. Anthony Dutot built the hotel close to the Delaware Water Gap which attracted thousands of tourists during the summer.

More resorts were built following the success of the first hotel. They were known as the friendly mountain resorts.

More recreation facilities were made available to meet with the demand of the guests. A man-made lake, the third-largest in the states was also constructed. Lake Wallenpaupack not only provided hydro-electric power but also space for water sports with a 52-mile shoreline.

Lake Wallenpaupack remains to be the most treasured leisure destination in the Pocono Mountains.

9. Camping and racing at the Pocono mountains

By Jack – Wikimedia

The Poconos mountain range is home to several Scout camps and racing tracks. Scout camps like Camp Minsi, a boy scouts camp, is found at the central area of the Poconos sitting on 1,200 acres of land at the summit.

The Girl Scouts camp, camp Mosey Wood lies on the Eastern part of the state with 425 acres of land in White Haven. Other camps are found at Goose Pond Scout Reservation, Resica Falls Scout Reservation, and Trexler Scout Reservation.

You will also find religious and non-religious camping grounds. The religious ones are Jewish which include Camp Massad, Camp Ramah, and Pinemere Camp. The non-religious ones are Camp Lohikan, Camp Watonka, and Pocono Springs Camp.

Some of the racing tracks that you will find here are IndyCar race and two NASCAR Cup Series races.  There are racing schools too, motorcycle tracks and other clubs.

10. The mountains and the region around it got named after the native tribes

The last fact on our list today is that the Poconos Mountains got their names from the native tribes that lived around it. Some of these tribes were Lenni Lenape, Iroquois, Minisink, Lenape, Shawnee, and Paupack.