When you visit the Pocono Mountains during September and October, you’re surrounded by brilliant fall colors at every turn. But to
truly experience how spectacular the season is, we’ve come up with eight unique ways to view fall foliage in the Poconos.
The Settlers Inn is nestled in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Book a stay at our historic Arts and Crafts style lodge this fall and truly immerse yourself in the beauty of the region. Our Delaware Highlands Vacation Guide gathers all the information to plan a trip to the area. Download it for free and use it as your handbook during your visit. Don’t forget our checklist of unique ways to take in the scenery and see how many ways you can view fall foliage in the Poconos.
1. Train
There’s no denying the romance of riding the rails. Autumn adds a new dimension to the experience. The Stourbridge Line offers several excursions just for leaf peeping. Excursions depart from the train station along Main Avenue in Hawley. Take the Hawley Pocono Foliage Express. The train leaves the Hawley station for a 90-minute round-trip to Honesdale Take this quick trip to see the changing leaves on October 13, 20 and 27. The train station is within walking distance of The Settlers Inn.
2. Boat
Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours offers a truly unique vantage point for viewing fall foliage. Get out on the water and take in the sights along Lake Wallenpaupack’s 52-miles of shoreline. The guided 50-minute tour aboard a patio boat offers extraordinary scenery as the red, gold and orange colors of the surrounding trees reflect in the lake. Tours are available fall weekends until Columbus Day. Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours depart just three miles from The Settlers Inn.
3. Chairlift
Get a glimpse of the fall foliage from above. Shawnee Mountain Ski Area offers chairlift rides during all of its fall festivals. Enjoy the view above the treetops as you travel to an elevation of 1,350 feet. Shawnee Mountain Ski Area is 36 miles from Hawley.
4. Railbike
Hawley is home to the only recreational railbiking adventure in the Poconos. Pedal on tracks aboard custom built two or four-person rail bikes with Pennsylvania Rail Bike. The six-mile route along the Lackawaxen River takes approximately two hours. Along the way expect to see plenty of wildlife, scenic views and historical landmarks. Several trips are available throughout the day with rides offered every weekend and most weekdays through October. Tours depart from the Hawley Train Station along Main Street, which is in walking distance of The Settlers Inn.
5. Horseback
Saddle up for a countryside adventure. Traverse woodland trails on Happy Trails Stables’ scenic property. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of autumn in the Pocono Mountains. There are rides of varying distance and scenery for riders of every ability level. Rides are offered daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Happy Trails Tables is less 12 miles from Hawley in Waymart, PA.
6. Segway
Go two-wheeling! Camelback Mountain Adventures offers off-road Segway Tours of the Poconos. Zoom deep into the forest to find spectacular mountain views. Anyone 14 and older can enjoy this slightly futuristic, and fun, mode of transportation. Tours are given on weekends through October. Reservations are recommended. Camelback Mountain is 41 miles from Hawley.
7. Canoe
Paddle down the Delaware River to enjoy truly breathtaking scenery. Kittatinny Canoes offers excursions of varying length and skill level. Trips along the Middle Delaware River are ideal for beginners and families. The calm waters are easy to navigate, and this section of the river passes through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, so paddlers will enjoy views of pristine wilderness. In autumn, the scenery is even more awe-inspiring. Kittatinny Canoes’ Dingmans Base is 25 miles from Hawley.
8. Hot Air Balloon
Float above the fall foliage! Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons take flight from locations just north of nearby Scranton, PA. Experience the peace and jaw dropping scenery soaring above the mountains. Balloons launch twice a day- just after sunrise and two hours before sunset- that’s when conditions are optimal. Flights typically last between 30 minutes and one hour, travelling a distance of five to 10 miles. Passengers can book a private tour or join in a public flight. Each ride includes a traditional champagne toast. Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons launch from several locations within 30 miles of Hawley.
9. Golf Cart
Hit the links! Golf courses make the most of the local landscape and offer some spectacular views. Play challenging holes carved into the countryside ablaze in fall colors. Paupack Hills Golf Course is beautiful year-round, but during autumn it’s really something to see! Its signature 6th and 16th holes have an unobstructed view of Lake Wallenpaupack that’s truly spectacular. The 18-hole public golf course is located in Greentown, 11 miles from Hawley. Woodloch Springs, just six miles from Hawley, is a championship 18-hole, par 72 course hailed by Golf Magazine as, “one of the finest courses in America.” The 6,579 yard course encompasses lush forest, scenic wetlands and sweeping meadows.
A stay at The Settlers Inn pairs perfectly with fall foliage in the Poconos. Take advantage of our Bed, Breakfast and Dinner Package, which includes dinner for two at our award-winning farm-to-table restaurant. So, while you enjoy the sights of fall by day, you can savor the tastes of fall during dinner. Our menu boasts locally-sourced ingredients and during the autumn months the crops in the area are especially bountiful. Check availability and book your fall getaway to the Pocono Mountains today.