5 Ways to Get Outside and Enjoy the Poconos

Your vacation should be an escape from the usual. If you spend most of your days cooped up in an office, you can’t get further away from "business as usual" than a trip to the Poconos. If your idea of a good time is being active and getting in touch with nature, keep reading.

Here are five active things to do on your trip to the Poconos:

1. Go For a Hike at Hickory Run State Park

A fifteen-minute drive from Split Rock Resort will land you at Hickory Run State Park. This gorgeous 15,990-acre park offers 44 miles of hiking trails. You’ll find 24 unique trails of varying distance and difficulty, offering an enjoyable hiking experience for all.

The most popular hiking trail in the park is the Hawk Falls Trail. This 0.6 mile trail is challenging but worth the effort. It will lead you to a stunning view of the 25-foot Hawk Falls.

Another popular trail is Shades of Death. This difficult one-mile trek is perhaps the most beautiful in Hickory Run. It will take you through gorgeous rhododendron thickets that bloom from mid-June through mid-July. You’ll pass unique rock formations and get breathtaking views of the lakes that dot the park.

Hickory Run is open daily from 7am to 5pm.

If you plan on going hiking, see our recommendations for what to pack.

2. Go on a Mountain Biking Adventure Through Lehigh Gorge State Park

If you prefer to hit the trails on bicycle rather than by foot, we recommend Lehigh Gorge State park, which features 26 miles of trails open to mountain biking. Ride along abandoned railroad grade, offering scenic views of the Lehigh River and the steep-walled gorge.

Lehigh Gorge State Park is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

If you’re bringing your own bike, the park recommends using wide tires. There are also bicycle rentals available throughout the area.

3. Go Whitewater Rafting Down the Lehigh River

Mountain Biking isn’t the only way to take in the spectacular views of the Lehigh River - try rafting down it! Our good friends at Pocono Whitewater offer a number of rafting options for all skill levels and interests.

From April 4, 2017 through October 31, 2017, Split Rock Resort is offering a Whitewater Rafting Adventure package in partnership with Pocono Whitewater. The package includes a stay at our resort and 5 hours of white water rafting through 12 miles of class III whitewater with 17 rapids. Click here for booking details.

4. Play a Game of Paintball at Skirmish

Perhaps you’re in the mood for something a little more adversarial on your vacation. Test your mettle on the battlefield at Skirmish Paintball. With over 700 acres and 50 unique paintball maps, Skirmish is a paintballer’s dream.

You’ll find everything from open fields, forests, swamps, castles, and speedball arenas for all different types of play.

Skirmish is located at 211 North Meckesville Rd, Albrightsville, PA 18210. Their hours of operation are:

Monday - Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 5:30pm

Visit http://www.skirmish.com for more information.

5. Fish on Lake Harmony

After all the hiking, biking, rafting, and games of paintball, come back to Split Rock Resort to relax and do some fishing on the shore of Lake Harmony. Or you can rent a boat, kayak, or canoe from Yeti WaterSports and take your fishing to the middle of the lake.

Don’t forget to check with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission for a fishing license.

Visit http://yetifun.com for rental prices and details.