Travel guide
A Perfect Poconos Weekend: Lakes, Trails, and Fire Pits
How to spend a long weekend in the Poconos — lake time, a waterfall hike, and a cabin porch with a view.
5 min readUpdated August 16, 2026
Day 1: Arrive at the lake
Check into a lake house or cabin, unpack the cooler, and spend the afternoon on the water. Rent a pontoon, kayak the shoreline, or just swim and read on the dock.
Day 2: Waterfalls and a mountain town
- Morning hike at Bushkill Falls or Dingmans Falls
- Lunch and a stroll through Jim Thorpe
- Afternoon at a local brewery or winery
- Evening around the fire pit
Day 3: One last morning
Sleep in, make a big breakfast, and take a short walk before checkout. The best Poconos weekends leave you relaxed, not exhausted.
Planning a Poconos stay?
Read the full Poconos destination guide — neighborhoods, seasons, and booking tips — then browse example rentals.
