Adventures in the Poconos: Zip Lines, Thrills, and Outdoor Fun

Adventures in the Poconos come in every speed, from a slow climb through a treetop ropes course to a zip line racing toward 60 mph. Some days call for trees and aerial courses. Others call for paintball, go-karts, or a straight shot down a mountain on a cable.

Pick your speed for the day, and the Poconos will meet you there. This guide covers the top parks, zip lines, and ground-level thrills to work into your stay.

Pocono mountain adventures pack a lot of variety into one region, keeping thrill-seekers and easygoing travelers both happy. Ski slopes turn into zip line courses, wooded trails hide paintball fields, and race tracks sit minutes from calmer trailheads.

That mix makes for an easy family getaway, since everyone can join in at their comfort level. One person can climb a treetop course while another watches nearby, then everyone regroups for go-karts before dinner.

Mountaintop Lodge makes an easy home base for all of it, so take a look at open dates and start planning your own adventure.

Two adventure parks anchor most adventures in the Poconos, and both sit close enough for an easy day trip from Mountaintop Lodge in Pocono Pines.

Camelback Mountain Adventures sits about 15 minutes from Mountaintop Lodge and stays busy year-round. Summer brings zip lining and mountain coasters, while winter turns the same slopes into a full ski resort.

There are nearly 40 trails plus snow tubing for the kids, enough to fill more than one visit.

Pocono TreeVentures spreads five ropes courses through the trees, ranging from beginner-friendly to expert-only, with zip lines woven between platforms along the way.

Kids ages four to seven get their own KidVentures course, so the youngest in your group still gets a turn. Feeling bold? Try TruClimb, a mix of tree and rock wall climbing that tops out at 40 feet before a smooth glide back down.

Zip lines in the Poconos aren't limited to the two parks above. Kittatinny Canoes runs the only zip line with a bird's-eye view of the Delaware River, open from spring through fall.

Whitewater Rafting Adventures pairs its zip line with a rafting trip, so you can glide over Red Rock Cliff before or after hitting the rapids. Between the parks above and these two, there's a zip line to match whatever the rest of your day looks like.

Prefer your thrills without the height? The Poconos have just as much speed waiting down here as they do in the trees. Paintball fields and go-kart tracks turn an afternoon into its own kind of adventure, no harness required.

Nothing burns off energy quite like ducking behind cover with paint flying overhead. The Poconos have no shortage of fields to choose from, each with its own personality.

Here are three spots you’ll want to check out:

• Paintball Asylum: Sits at the base of Camelback Mountain with fields across 30 wooded acres, open to groups of any size.

• Pocono Mountain Paintball: Family-run for over 20 years, with its own zip line for anyone who wants to mix things up mid-game.

• Skirmish Paintball: The largest of the three, spreading 50 maps across 750 acres of forts, bunkers, and open fields.

Staff at all three walk first-timers through the basics, so a mixed-experience group can still play together.

There's something about dropping into a low seat and hitting the gas that never gets old, no matter your age. A few tracks around the Poconos are ready to scratch that itch.

These spots stand out from the pack:

• Pocono Go-Karts and Play Park: Runs the area's largest track, including a lit course for night racing in summer.

• Prokart Racing at Pocono Raceway: Puts drivers 14 and up on the actual south course at speeds past 50 mph.

• S&S Speedways: Keeps the fun going on rainy days with an indoor, family-owned track.

Chase a personal best or just brag about it over dinner; either way, a lap around these tracks is worth it.

Zip lines, paintball, and go-karts might headline the trip, but the Poconos have plenty more waiting once you're ready for a change of pace. 

A few more favorites are worth working into the itinerary:

• Hiking: Waterfalls, easy walks, and state park trails sit just as close as the adventure parks.

• Whitewater rafting: The Lehigh and Delaware Rivers both deliver rapids for every skill level, from a gentle float to a full-on splash.

• Tubing: A slower river float rounds out a weekend that started at full speed, no paddle required.

Mix a couple of these into your plans, and no two days of the trip will look the same.

Adventures in the Poconos are easy to find and even easier to fill a whole trip with. Pick one park, add a second activity if the energy's still there, and let the rest of the day stay flexible.

Come back to Mountaintop Lodge when the adrenaline wears off. Your stay includes access to Lake Naomi Club's Platinum amenities, so a lake day or a quiet porch is always waiting after your day’s adventures.

Book your stay at Mountaintop Lodge and start planning your next Poconos adventure!

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