The best Poconos resorts for family fun

Travel time: 2.5 hours by car

This gorgeous lakeside retreat center boasts incredible views of the Pocono Mountains and plenty of action for visitors (large groups starting at 35 people) who are looking for an adventure. Suit up in a large inflatable bubble for a new type of soccer game, grab the whole crew for a round of laser tag on the grounds’ private course and, when exhaustion starts to set in, take a stroll along the walking trails. Available packages (which can be customized) include room accommodations, access to meeting areas, meals and activities. The venue is open from September to mid June. If you have a family reunion in the works, this very well might be the place for you.

Travel time: 1.5 hours by car 

Whether you’re looking for a wintertime ski trip, nature-filled mountain adventure or wild water park visit, you’ll find it at Camelback Resort. Explore the Pocono Mountains during any season, whether via zip-line, segway or Mountain Coaster (an exhilarating thrill ride that streaks through the trees on steel rails) in the adventure park. Camelback Lodge on the premises is the perfect place to kick back after an active day. A stay at the hotel includes access to Aquatopia, the area’s biggest indoor waterpark, featuring seven pools and H20-fueled activities such as the aqua-play structure at Kartrite’s Quest. Planning a summer visit? Camelbeach, the mountain’s second water park, lets families splash around outdoors. Don’t forget about other fun activities like the K2 Climb ropes course, arcade, mini-golf course and laser tag arena.

Travel time: 2 hours and 10 minutes by car

Youngsters with mixed tastes can make vacation planning difficult, but this fun-filled resort offers something for everyone. Adventurous ones might want to hit Bear Creek Mountain’s ski trails or make their way to the resort’s hiking and biking trails. Indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, paddle boats and geocaching provide more outdoor recreation, but those who’d rather kick back have plenty to choose from, too. Hit up the full-service spa, even with tots (6–12) in tow—there are treatments especially for kids and teens, such as Ice Cream Sundae mani-pedis or a Cinderella facials that come with sparkly lip gloss ($40 each). Retire to The Hotel at Bear Creek in the evenings to enjoy family game nights or face off in games of ping pong and foosball before bedtime. Your stay includes Mountain Activity Passes. Play & Stay packages with day passes to Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom start at $294.

Travel time: 2 hours and 40 minutes by car

This quaint location, comprised of 13 historic buildings dating back to the ‘20s, will make you feel as though you’re away at summer camp. Between a cannon-ball-worthy dock, games along the lake, the refreshing pool and other amenities, you’ll really feel in tune with the outdoors. Accommodations include standard rooms, suites, homes and cottages.

Travel time: 1 hour and 50 minutes by car

This spot has plenty to offer during your next getaway, whether that includes taking a peek at the onsite chicken coop, navigating pond waters in a canoe, fishing with the family or a multitude of other outdoor activities. No matter the season, these picturesque cottages—a perfect place to unwind—is great during any season. When it gets a bit too cold to fish, switch gears and take the family skiing. 

Travel time: 1.5 hours by car

Your family will find this Poconos getaway plenty pleasing! Enjoy skiing, snow tubing or snowboarding in the winter or go swimming, fishing and golfing during the summer. During the fall, there’s also plenty of opportunity to go horseback riding, hiking and visiting go-to’s like Bushkill Falls and the action-packed Costa’s Family Fun Park with bumper boats and laser tag. Mom and Dad may also want to hit up the local Deerfield Spa for a relaxing facial or Swedish massage when it’s time to wind down for the day.

Travel time: 1 hour and 40 minutes from NYC

Carved bear sculptures and faux raw-wood siding lend a rustic, log-cabin feel to this lodge. But don’t get too cozy: The state-of-the-art water park and recreation areas make this spot anything but a sleepy retreat. Little ones will delight in splashing around in the warm pools—especially in the wintertime when there’s snow falling right outside. In the water park, kids’ll see a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, a roller-coaster water-slide hybrid and activity pools for smaller ones. Once they’ve dried off, try mini golf, a wizard-themed scavenger hunt or an ice cream–themed manicure at Scoops Kids Spa (which includes a scoop of ice cream and a bottle of nail polish). The kids can watch a Forest Friends sing-a-long, go on a Wolf Walk through the Grand Lobby and meet the Great Wolf characters. To round out the nature-themed experience, opt for the resort’s woodsy Wolf Den Suite, where you can relax while the cubs curl up in a man-made in-room cave area, complete with bunk beds and a TV. 

Travel time: 1 hour and 50 minutes by car

Perched on top of 5,500 acres of unspoiled forest, this Colonial Dutch–style resort offers options for relaxation and boisterous family fun. Older kids (ages 10 and up) can tackle the Tree Top Adventure Course ($30–$60), which features several different zip-lines through the forest, and younger kiddos can ride one of the last remaining toboggan runs in the region. Family-friendly entertainment changes with the seasons, which includes activities such as ice skating, skiing and snowshoeing in winter; fishing and archery tag (a dodgeball-like game with safe, non-pointed bows and arrows) in the spring and fall, plus scavenger hunts, lawn games, crafts and campfires in the summer. Water babies can splash around in the indoor and outdoor pools or hit the beach at the resort’s swimming lake for an outdoorsy dip. You’ll want to dress up for a fancy dinner in the Windsor Dining Room and channel royalty during daily High Tea. 

Travel time: 2 hours by car

Split Rock Resort is packed full of fun for the whole family. Little ones will love splashing around in 53,000-square-feet of wave pools, activity pools, slides and climbable jungle falls playground. Apart from the amazing water park, Split Rock also has plenty of fun activities offered on premises or nearby—golfing, biking, whitewater rafting, ATVs and, in the winter, snow tubing, skiing and snowboarding. 

Travel time: 2 hours and 15 minutes by car

With seemingly every moment of the day filled with activities from archery to Wiffle ball, pony rides to trapshooting, Woodloch Pines makes you feel as though you’ve enrolled in family camp.In chilly months, families can go for the gold in Woodloch’s Winter Olympics on Saturdays (January and February only); teams of 10–12 get knee-deep in the snow during wacky contests like snow-bowling, tube-pulling and sledding. Warm weather means mini golf on the resort’s two courses and swimming time in the outdoor pool, splash-play park and jacuzzi. Even the littlest ones can track down fun activities like scavenger hunts and craft projects with Woodloch's friendly mascot, Boomer the Bear.