CHOL HAMOED SUKKOS IN THE POCONOS

Crisp Air and Colorful Leaves 

Chol Hamoed Sukkos in the Poconos

Compiled and photographed by Sarah Einhorn of BeenThereDoneThatTrips.com

The Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania and the surrounding area have an abundance of beautiful scenic spots. One summer, we stayed near Lake Harmony for a few days and enjoyed nature and the picturesque lake. We’ve since returned to the area, specifically to the Delaware Water Gap, to enjoy the magnificent waterfalls. The Poconos are an excellent Chol Hamoed destination, especially given their relatively close proximity to New York. Check the Chabad Lubavitch of the Poconos website for current minyan information. There are many vacation rentals in the area that you can find on Airbnb and other sites for a fun and foliage-filled overnight trip. 

Hawk Falls in Hickory Run State Park

Lake Harmony, PA

The Hawk Falls Trail in Hickory Run State Park is a short, easy half-mile hike through a magnificent path framed by rhododendron bushes. I’ve never seen so many in one location. The path leads through a footbridge that crosses a pretty brook. Shortly after, the path branches off to the right, where you can view the top of the 25-foot Hawk Falls. If you continue down the path without turning right, you reach the bottom of the falls. The waterfall is magnificent, and the hike is not very strenuous. All ages can enjoy it, although I wouldn’t recommend bringing a stroller.

During our visit, we enjoyed sitting on large rocks and admiring the falls while eating a picnic lunch, relaxing, and snapping some pictures before heading up the narrow path that led us back up to the area to return to the parking lot.

Address:

2812 PA-534, Albrightsville, PA 18210 

Price: Free

Approximate Distance from Marine Park:  2 hours, 20 minutes  

Bushkill Falls

Bushkill, PA

Bushkill Falls, also known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania, includes eight waterfalls and four trails with varying difficulty levels. The Green Trail is a 15-minute trek that offers a view of the main falls. There is no climbing involved; however, there are steps. The Yellow Trail is a 45-minute walk with views of the main falls and Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, and Upper Canyon. The Blue Trail takes about one hour and 15 minutes and offers views of the Pennell Falls. The Red Trail is for avid hikers. It includes all eight falls and takes over two hours to hike. There are many observation decks and paths leading to the waterfalls.  

Mini golf and the Bushkill Falls Mining Company Maze are available for an additional charge. There is also a free playground on the grounds.

 Address:

138 Bushkill Falls Road

Bushkill, PA 18324

Chol Hamoed Hours:

Sunday: 9:00-6:00. Last admission: 5:00 P.M.

Monday-Tuesday: 9:00-5:00. Last admission: 4:00 P.M.

Price: $20.00 for adults; $18 for seniors 62+; $10 for children ages 4-10

Approximate Distance from Marine Park:    2 hours

Approximate Distance from Marine Park:  2 hours, 30 minutes   

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Mountain View Park

 Tannersville, PA

I have not encountered many playgrounds in the Poconos, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover Mountain View Park across from Camelback Mountain, in a shady area with many trees. The park is spread over a nice-sized area with multiple playgrounds and play equipment. My little boys especially enjoyed the digging tractors. There are many picnic tables around the park and a shelter with many more tables near the parking lot. The paved walking path winds through the woods near the playground. Off to one side is a baseball court on an open field.

Address:

104 Mount View Park Lane

Tannersville, PA 18372

Hours:

10:00 AM–8:00 PM

Price: 

Free

Approximate Distance from Marine Park:  2 hours

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Dingmans Falls and Raymond skill Falls

I never tire of visiting waterfalls. Near the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania, right by the New Jersey border, are two very large and magnificent ones: Dingmans Falls and Raymondskill Falls. The two waterfalls are a 15-minute drive from each other. Raymondskill Falls, a beautiful three-tiered cascading waterfall, is Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall. It is only a few minutes’ walk from the parking lot through a wide path in the woods, a distance of just 0.3 miles. There are two viewing areas. The upper viewing area offers views of the top section of the waterfall and pool, and the top of the second section. The lower viewing area offers a beautiful view of the entire waterfall.

When we went to Dingmans Falls, the second-highest waterfall in Pennsylvania, our maps directed us to the parking area for the Dingmans Creek Trail which provided us with a shorter, more scenic, and relaxing walk than we would have had from the visitor’s center. We enjoyed a 20-minute walk alongside Dingmans Creek until we reached the top of the falls, where we got our first majestic view. We then headed down many steps to the bottom, where we snapped pictures and enjoyed the mesmerizing view of the rushing water. 

Raymondskill Fallls:

917 Raymondskill Road

Milford, PA 18337

Dingmans Creek Trail:

Parking is at the end of Doodle Hollow Road in Dingmans Ferry, PA

Hours:

Most of the park is open 24 hours a day. Most day-use areas within the park are open from sunrise to sunset

Price: Free

Approximate Distance from Marine Park:  2 hours