Pennsylvania Fall foliage poconos visitors bureau ideas

[RayGun]

Autumn alternatives
Fall activities to enhance the traditional Pocono leaf peeping

By DAN PRENDERGAST
For the Pocono Record
October 10, 2008

The beautiful fall foliage isn't going to last forever. Why not get out and enjoy it while the leaves are at their peak?

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is projecting that by next week the foliage in all four counties in the Poconos will be at its height and bursting with color.


Seven miles of trails, horseback riding, picnicking
Camelback Road Tannersville.
(570) 894-8336
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/bigpocono.aspx


Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
River Road Bushkill
Plenty of hiking and biking including McDade Trail, which runs 37 miles.
(570) 588-2451
nps.gov/dewa


Beltzville State Park
2950 Pohopoco Drive, Lehighton
(610) 377-0045
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/beltzville.aspx


Gouldsboro State Park
Route 507, Tobyhanna
(570) 894-8336
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/gouldsboro.aspx


Lehigh Gorge State Park
RR 1 Box 81, White Haven
(570) 443-0400
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/lehighgorge.aspx


Promised Land State Park
Route 390, Greentown
(570) 676-3428
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/promisedland.aspx


Tobyhanna State Park
Route 423, Tobyhanna
(570) 894-8336
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/tobyhanna.aspx

So what's the best way to soak it all up?

You can't fully appreciate the season's treasures from your back porch. You have to get out there and explore nature to experience fall foliage in all its glory.



The Pocono area is made for nature enthusiasts. Home to nine state parks and two national parks, the Pocono area boasts a multitude of hiking and biking trails designed for people of all ages and experience levels. With 126 trails totaling 261 miles, hikers and bikers are sure to discover a number of beautiful aspects of the Poconos that most people never see.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area stretches from Milford through the town of Delaware Water Gap where the famous Appalachian Trail runs parallel to the Gap and offers breathtaking vistas that display the autumn colors as they stretch for miles into New Jersey. That trail is recommended for serious hikers because of the difficult terrain.

Those looking for hiking that's a little less demanding can explore McDade Trail, which stretches 37 miles and offers hikers and bikers a pleasant jaunt.

If you want to see all this autumn beauty, but don't like the idea of walking such great distances, you could always let a horse do all the work. There are a number of stables in the Poconos that offer horseback riding tours through various trails and allow people to take in all the colors of the season.

Laura Ardinger from Mountain Creek Riding Stable in Cresco believes that fall is the best time to explore their array of trails.



"The scenery is amazing," she said. "People are able to focus more on the sights because they don't have to worry about watching where they're going."

Many stables also offer horse-drawn wagon or carriage rides that can make for a romantic experience under the colorful treetops.

No matter how you choose to enjoy the foliage, you can be sure that there will be plenty of photo opportunities for amateur photographers. The trees make for a nice enough photo in themselves, but when they are used as the backdrop to a waterfall, barn or bridge, they help create an exquisite landscape shot.

Some ideal places to shoot would be Bushkill Falls and Dingmans Falls, both in Pike County. Their many vast waterfalls and streams will create picture perfect still-shots that will make for the definitive Pocono postcard.

Pocono Environmental Education Center will host classes this month to teach amateur photographers how to highlight the beauty of DWGNRA in autumn. While learning about the natural history of the area, photographers will learn about concepts such as composition, exposure and lighting, and photograph a number of picturesque things like waterfalls and other such natural wonders at different times of the day.



Another favorite subject for fall photographers is the almost 400 species of birds that are known to inhabit the Poconos during this season. The area is an important part of the Atlantic Flyway that takes migrating birds from Canada to the Caribbean — making it a perfect for birdwatching.

According to the National Park Service, the best place to birdwatch is around the Delaware River because of its rich ecosystem that allows a number of bird species to survive and thrive.

The stretch of the river that runs parallel to River Road near Shawnee is an excellent area for spotting bald eagles — particularly at places such as Smithfield Beach and the Dingmans Ferry Bridge.

We all know what the foliage looks like from the ground, but more and more people are choosing to experience it by getting a bird's-eye view. Several hot-air balloon teams, such as Balloon Chase Adventures, which launches out of Brodheadsville, offer people the chance to see the splendor of the Pocono Mountains from 3,000 feet in the air.

"It's like no other method of flying," Chase crew member Dawn Chase said. "The takeoff is so gradual and peaceful, most people don't even realize they've left the ground."



Balloon teams from all over the area will congregate at Shawnee Mountain from Oct. 17 to 19 for the third annual Timber and Balloon Festival. Festival goers can reserve a balloon ride by calling Shawnee Mountain at (570) 421-7231, extension 243.

Another activity that has become an autumn pastime here in the Poconos is the Mazezilla corn maze in Saylorsburg.

For 10 years, people of all ages have been getting lost in Burt Klingels' 10-acre field of cornstalks. Every fall, he draws out a different design, then begins carving it out by hand with a machete.

"Every year there's a new theme," Klingel said. "This year's theme is the Wild West."

An aerial perspective reveals the shapes hidden within the maze. In the center of this year's maze there is a bucking bronco, and elsewhere there is a sheriff's badge, a cowboy hat, a covered wagon and a longhorn steer.


IF YOU GO
Fall Photo Weekend at Pocono Environmental Education Center


Friday to Sunday, Oct. 17-19


Capture the beautiful fall colors that can be found around PEEC's campus and throughout Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Photograph local waterfalls, reflections in streams, abandoned barns and more with professional photographer John Barclay.


(570) 828-2319
PEEC.com - Physical Exercise in Ely Cambridgeshire.


Balloon Chase Adventures
Hot air balloon rides open to the public.


(570 842-2418
Home


Third Annual Timber and Balloon Festival at Shawnee Mountain


Friday through Sunday, Oct. 17-19

For balloon ride details and reservations, call (570) 421-7231, ext. 243
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area - The Poconos Favorite Ski Resort

Mazezilla
Hours vary.
Old Route 115, Saylorsburg
(570) 402-7378
http://www.mazezilla.com

HORSEBACK RIDING STABLES
Colony Horse Ranch
Route 191, Mountainhome
(570) 595-0604


Deer Path Riding Stable
Route 940, White Haven
(570) 443-4431
http://www.dearpathstable.com


Double Eagle Horse Farm
Greenview Drive, Saylorsburg
(570) 992-8111
Double Eagle Horse Farm


Stables at Fernwood Resort
Route 209 and River Road, Bushkill
(888) 337-6966


Mountain Creek Riding Stable
RR 3, Box 3354, Cresco
(570) 839-8725
Mountain Creek Riding Stable


Pocono Adventure Riding Stable
Meadowbrook Road, Mount Pocono
(570) 839-6333
http://www.poconoadventureridingstable.com


Pocono Country Carriages
376 Hallet Road, East Stroudsburg
(570) 424-6248
Carriage Rides-Pocono Country Carriages Home


Pocono Manor Stables at Pocono Manor Inn
Pocono Summit
(570) 839-0925
Reservations required


Spring Run Stables
Brick Church Road, Saylorsburg
(570) 992-9144


Sugar Mountain Carriages
West Sugar Mountain Road, Bushkill
(570) 588-3063

Reservations required


Triple "W" Riding Stable
Honesdale
(570) 226-2620
Welcome to Triple W Riding Stables

----------------------------------------

Lets saddle up boys and girls!

[njriverman]

I was working some yesterday in Middlesex County and their leaves have changed more up around Exit 8 on the NJTP. At least that is one good thing about the perpetual slowing northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike between 7 and 8, while the leaves are changing it is glorious.

In Collingswood at Knight's Park on Collings Avenue they are just starting. The red and scarlet maples there are always a treat for the eyes.

Anyone else seen some good ones?

[Sassygrl]

I actually think that some of the best fall foliage is on route 295 in Burlington County NJ. Every year it is breathtaking. It has just begun to go, and probably will be on fire in about a week. The virginia creeper and maples are putting on the first color so far.

I also vote for the golden rolling farmland of Columbus NJ bordered by woodlands that are beginning to color up.

[villageitiot]

Originally Posted by Sassygrl

I actually think that some of the best fall foliage is on route 295 in Burlington County NJ. Every year it is breathtaking. It has just begun to go, and probably will be on fire in about a week. The virginia creeper and maples are putting on the first color so far.

I also vote for the golden rolling farmland of Columbus NJ bordered by woodlands that are beginning to color up.

I agree Route 295 looks great right now.

[Credit Solutions]

i argee with you