Fall in the Poconos: Your Family Guide to Fall Festivals and Foliage (2026)
Fall foliage in Tannersville, PA
As summer fades into autumn, the Pocono Mountains come alive with brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. Crisp mornings, comfortable afternoons, scenic mountain views, and family-friendly festivals make fall one of the best times of year to visit the region.
Whether you're planning a relaxing weekend getaway or a week filled with adventure, you'll find plenty to experience throughout the Poconos. From scenic chairlift rides and colorful train excursions to pumpkin festivals, leaf peeping adventures, charming mountain towns, and harvest celebrations, there's something for every member of the family.
To help you plan your trip, we've rounded up some of our favorite ways to experience fall in the Poconos.
Experience Peak Fall Foliage
The changing leaves are one of the biggest reasons visitors return to the Poconos every autumn. While peak color varies slightly each year depending on the weather, late September through mid-October typically offers the most spectacular displays.
Some favorite places to enjoy the scenery include Big Pocono State Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Bushkill Falls, and the many scenic roads that wind through the mountains and small towns.
Fun Fact: Ski Lift Summer Drift vacation rental is located right next to Big Pocono State Park. You can actually walk to the park from the townhome. If you choose to drive, it’s only about 5-7 minutes.
Good to Know
Peak foliage generally occurs from late September through mid-October.
Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends.
Drive Time from Ski Lift Summer Drift: Big Pocono State Park: ~5–7 minutes; Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: ~25–30 minutes; Bushkill Falls: ~35–40 minutes.
More Information: Check out the Pocono Mountains fall foliage report.
Ride the Scenic Chairlift at Camelback
Few experiences capture the beauty of fall like riding Camelback Resort’s scenic chairlift. As you climb the mountain, breathtaking panoramic views stretch across miles of colorful forests, making it one of the best places in the Poconos to experience the changing leaves.
Best of all, when you stay at Ski Lift Summer Drift, you’re practically next door. You can leave the driveway and be at the mountain in under five minutes!
It's an activity everyone can enjoy, whether you're traveling with young children, grandparents, or simply looking for incredible photo opportunities.
Good to Know
Drive Time from Ski Lift Summer Drift: Approximately ~3–5 minutes (literally right next door!)
Operating schedules vary throughout the season.
More Information: Camelback Resort website.
Ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
A ride aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is one of the Pocono region's signature fall experiences. Departing from the historic town of Jim Thorpe, the train winds alongside the Lehigh River through colorful mountain landscapes that are difficult to appreciate from the road.
Plan to spend a few hours exploring Jim Thorpe before or after your ride to enjoy its unique shops, restaurants, and historic charm.
Good to Know
Fall excursions often sell out.
Drive Time from Ski Lift Summer Drift: Approximately ~35–40 minutes.
More Information: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway website.
Featured Fall Festivals
The Pocono Mountains host dozens of festivals throughout the fall season. Here are several favorites that are worth adding to your itinerary.
Pickle Me Poconos Festival (September 26, 2026)
One of the region's most unique celebrations, this quirky street festival takes over Crystal Street in East Stroudsburg with pickle-inspired foods, artisan vendors, games, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun. It's a great way to kick off the fall festival season with something a little different.
Good to Know
📍 Location: East Stroudsburg
🚗 Drive Time: Approximately ~15 minutes
🔗 More Information: Official Pickle Me Poconos Festival website.
Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival (Weekends, September 26 – October 25, 2026)
Held at Country Junction in Lehighton, known as the World's Largest General Store, this popular fall tradition features pumpkin picking, hayrides, a 3D pumpkin funhouse, laser tag, seasonal treats, and family activities that can easily fill an entire day.
Good to Know
📍 Location: Country Junction, Lehighton
🚗 Drive Time: Approximately ~40–45 minutes
👨👩👧👦 Best For: Families with young children.
🔗 More Information: Country Junction website.
Hawley Harvest Hoedown (October 3–4, 2026)
Celebrate autumn in the charming lakeside town of Hawley with live bluegrass music, artisan vendors, cider tastings, local food, and family-friendly games. It's a wonderful way to experience the small-town charm that makes the Poconos so special.
Good to Know
📍 Location: Hawley
🚗 Drive Time: Approximately ~40–45 minutes.
🔗 More Information: Hawley Harvest Hoedown website.
Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival (Weekends, October 3 – October 18, 2026)
Often called the "Switzerland of America," Jim Thorpe becomes even more picturesque during its annual Fall Foliage Festival. Browse local artisan booths, enjoy live entertainment, sample delicious food, and soak in the incredible mountain scenery while exploring one of Pennsylvania's most beloved small towns.
Good to Know
📍 Location: Jim Thorpe
🚗 Drive Time: Approximately 55 minutes.
🚗 Arrive early—parking fills quickly during festival weekends.
🔗 More Information: Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival website.
Quiet Valley Harvest Festival (October 10–11, 2026)
Travel back to the 1800s at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, where traditional candle making, bread baking, blacksmith demonstrations, and old-fashioned children's activities bring Pennsylvania's farming heritage to life.
Good to Know
📍 Location: Stroudsburg
🚗 Drive Time: Approximately ~15 minutes.
👨👩👧👦 Great for families and history lovers.
🔗 More Information: Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm website.
Pocono Food Truck Festival & Foliage Fest (October 10–11, 2026)
Enjoy incredible food, live entertainment, scenic chairlift rides, panoramic mountain views, and cozy fire pits at Blue Mountain Resort. It's one of the best places to combine great food with beautiful fall scenery.
Good to Know
📍 Location: Blue Mountain Resort
🚗 Drive Time: Approximately ~30–35 minutes.
🔗 More Information: Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
More Fall Adventures
If your itinerary has a little extra room, consider adding one (or more!) of these seasonal favorites to your trip.
Hike Big Pocono State Park or explore the trails at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Visit Bushkill Falls as colorful autumn leaves frame Pennsylvania's famous waterfalls.
Relax at a local brewery or winery
Spend an afternoon exploring downtown Stroudsburg's locally owned shops, cafés, and art galleries.
Take a scenic drive through the Pocono Mountains and discover colorful back roads, covered bridges, and charming communities.
Spend a crisp autumn afternoon browsing over 100 designer outlets right in Tannersville at the Pocono Premium Outlets. Perfect for updating your fall wardrobe or starting early holiday shopping. (Drive Time: ~5 minutes)
More Annual Fall Events to Watch For
The fall fun doesn't end in October. Several popular events typically return each year in late October and November, although organizers haven't yet announced their 2026 schedules.
Keep an eye out for these annual favorites and more:
Christmas at Country Junction
Holiday train excursions on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
Holiday craft fairs and artisan markets
Thanksgiving weekend events
Black Friday & Holiday Outlet Sales at Pocono Premium Outlets as holiday shopping season kicks off over Thanksgiving weekend.
We'll update this guide as additional 2026 event dates are announced. So check back here often.
Why Stay Near Camelback This Fall?
Choosing the right location can make all the difference when planning an unforgettable autumn getaway. Staying near Camelback places you right in the heart of the region's best fall activities, so you spend less time driving and more time soaking in peak foliage, scenic chairlift rides, and charming harvest festivals.
At Ski Lift Summer Drift, you get the best of both worlds: a spacious townhouse just steps from Camelback Resort, combined with the comforts and amenities of a mountain retreat. Whether your day is filled with leaf-peeping hikes at Big Pocono State Park, exploring historic Jim Thorpe, or picking pumpkins at a local farm, you’ll return each evening to a warm, inviting space designed for relaxing and reconnecting with family and friends.
Why guests love staying at Ski Lift Summer Drift in the fall:
Year-Round Sports Complex Access: Unwind after a brisk autumn hike in the community indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna, or keep the family active on rainy afternoons with access to indoor tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts.
Pet-Friendly Accommodations: No need to leave your four-legged family members behind. Your dogs are welcome to join you for crisp mountain walks and leaf-crunching trail hikes.
Prime Central Base: Located in Tannersville, you are just minutes from Camelback’s top attractions and a short, scenic drive from the area’s premier harvest festivals, local breweries, and mountain towns.
Minutes from Entertainment: Whether you’re looking to catch a show at Kalahari Resorts or try your hand at the casino at Mount Airy Casino Resort, you’re only a short drive away.
Start Planning Your Fall Getaway
From spectacular mountain scenery and colorful train rides to harvest festivals and family traditions, fall is one of the most memorable seasons to experience the Pocono Mountains. Whether you're visiting for a long weekend or an extended vacation, we hope this guide helps you discover some of the region's best autumn experiences.
If you're looking for the perfect home base for your adventure, Ski Lift Summer Drift offers the comfort, convenience, and location to help you make the most of everything the Poconos has to offer this fall.
Ready to experience fall in the Poconos? Check availability and book your stay directly through Stay For Vacay.
And be sure to check out our social media for more updates on things happening in the Poconos.