Doesn’t it happen sometimes that when you are searching for vacations near me, you already have a destination in your mind? For many it is usually a place that’s far removed from their own lives – for example, one who lives in a concrete jungle often wants to go deep into nature and rejuvenate themselves in its verdant arms.
The Majestic Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains are in northeastern Pennsylvania and have been calling out to travelers for years. They overlook the Delaware River and Delaware Water Gap and their sheer beauty captures one’s soul and doesn’t let go. Thickly forested mountain slopes, crystal clear lakes, and green valleys overflowing with riotously blooming flowers – can there be better heaven on earth than this?
The best part is there is so much to do here that not just solo travelers, those with families too prefer to holiday here to spend quality time with each other.
Vacations to Pocono Mountains, PA, are chock-full of enjoyment and relaxation. You can start your trip here at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Huge numbers of tourists throng this area due to its spectacular beauty, which is considered a natural wonder of the world. Not just that, it was declared a National Recreational Area in 1978. This park comprises close to 70 thousand acres of area and houses abundant wildlife along with dense forests, fertile floodplains, and deep ravines. Some animals you can see here are foxes, deer, bears, chipmunks, and lynxes.
As mentioned, there are lots of recreational activities you can enjoy here. Some of these are white water rafting, skiing, canoeing, fishing, parasailing, and bird watching.
Those who like to hike can enjoy the 100 miles of trails here that allow them to feast their eyes on breathtaking waterfalls and gorges.
Many visitors love to head over to the quaint small towns in the area and enjoy their local flavor.
If you are still gasping for more natural wonders, you can visit Bushkill Falls. Water gushes over a 100 feet tall cliff into a gorgeous deep pool that’s ensconced within gorgeous greenery and then it drops again around 70 feet downwards.
You can spend days altogether exploring this magnificently lush area and taking in its dazzling views. While doing so, you may see some beautiful specimens of the avian population here along with animals like foxes, bobcats, bears, etc.
Yet another splendid natural wonder is the Hickory run State Park which stretches over 16000 acres of western foothills. An interesting place here is Boulder Field, which has lots of huge, round boulders. This makes it appear like the surface of the moon!
There is a nice swimming beach in Sand Spring Lake and the entire area is quite perfect for picnics. With around 45 miles of trails, you can work up quite an appetite while hiking and chomp on the fishes caught in the many streams and lakes of the park.
Some tourists prefer to drive through these mountains as the views are stunningly divine. You can take the lowest drivable pass, the Newfound Gap Road, which is just about a mile high, or the Little River Road which allows you to look at native plants, overlooks, and even a mountain creek.
