Pocono Mountains Getaway
I moved to Pennsylvania from western New York in 2015 and over the past 6 years I haven’t spent much time exploring the state beyond the cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Because of this, Sam and I were excited to be invited to spend a weekend at Sweet Pea Bungalows in the Pocono Mountains this winter!
The Pocono Mountain region in eastern Pennsylvania encompasses thousands of miles of wooded hills and valleys that are filled with state parks, ski resorts, hiking trails, and so much more. Located under 2 hours from both Philadelphia and NYC, the Pocono region is the perfect place to escape for the weekend!
Read on to learn more about our two-night mountain getaway!
Sweet Pea Bungalows
Sweet Pea Bungalows is a collection of newly renovated cottages located in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Each cabin is designed to provide a cozy, comfortable, and pet friendly retreat that brings visitors close to nature. The cottages are surrounded by tall pines and are located just around the bend from beautiful Lake Naomi. Positioned in the heart of the Pocono region, we were thrilled to be invited to spend the weekend at Sweet Pea Bungalows. Plus, because their homes are pet friendly, we were able to bring Toby along, which made our getaway even more special!
On a Friday evening, we pulled up to our cabin to find the fireplace roaring and a bottle of wine waiting for us on the counter—it was such an inviting way to begin our weekend. As we explored the cabin, we were blown away by it’s modern design and luxurious feel. I must have exclaimed “this place is so cute” about one hundred times. There were charming touches around every corner and we could feel the love and attention that the owners, Jonathan and Mario, had put into the remodel. The kitchen was stocked with everything you could need to cook a meal from pots and pans to utensils and spices. Plus, the bed in the master bedroom was so comfortable and we loved the up-cycled vintage snowshoes as bedside lamps. It truly felt like a home away from home. Our stay was so enjoyable, we didn’t want to leave on Sunday morning!
It’s easy to book a stay with Sweat Pea Bungalows via AirBNB. Use Scaling the Globe’s promo code for $40 off an AirBNB stay and $15 off an AirBNB experience.
Nearby Activities
Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park is just a short 20-minute drive from Pocono Pines Getaway Cabins. This large park has over 40-miles of hiking trails, three designated state park Natural Areas, including Boulder Field (a National Natural Landmark), and miles of trout streams. There’s so much to explore! Here’s what I recommend checking out in the park:
Hawk Falls : Hawk Falls is a natural, 25-foot waterfall which is easily visited with a short 1.0-mile out-and-back trail. We lengthened our hike by combining the Hawk Falls Trail with the Orchard Trail for a 3.0-mile loop hike. A parking lot is available at the trailhead off of PA 534, just east of the turnpike overpass.
Hawk Falls, Hickory Run State Park
Orchard Trail, Hickory Run State Park
Boulder Field : Boulder Field is a National Natural Landmark and state park natural area. It can be accessed two different ways. Option 1: Hikers can follow the 3.5-mile trail (7.0-miles roundtrip) which runs between Boulder Field and PA 534. The trailhead is directly across from the Hawk Falls parking area. Option 2: Drive to the parking lot adjacent to Boulder Field. We opted to take the scenic drive up to the Boulder Field parking lot since it was so cold out when we went, but I’ve heard the trail is really enjoyable!
Boulder Field, Hickory Run State Park
Shades of Death Trail : This 2.2-mile out-and-back trail follows the Sand Stream Run and passes by 3 different dams dating back to the 1800s. Despite the gruesome name, this trail is actually one of the most picturesque trails in the park! Parking is available near the park office or along PA 534 by the amphitheater.
Hawk Falls & Orchard Trail in purple, Boulder Field Trail in green, Shades of Death Trail in yellow
Lake Naomi
Located right down the driveway and around the corner from the cabins is Lake Naomi, one of the largest private lakes in Pennsylvania. When we went, the lake was partially frozen over, but there is a nice walking path for a leisurely stroll around the lake. In the summer months, there’s plenty of recreational opportunities on the lake, including boating, fishing, swimming, and sailing!
Restaurants & Breweries
Being located in the heart of the Poconos, the cabins are near numerous restaurants and breweries! On Saturday evening, after a long day of hiking in the cold, we enjoyed a warm dinner at Jubilee Restaurant, which is just one mile down the road from the cabins! Jubilee Restaurant is a family restaurant that has been serving hearty American fare since 1968.
On Sunday morning, we made a little further drive (just 15-minutes) for brunch at Barley Creek Brewing Company. Situated at the base of Camelback Mountain, Barley Creek is a great place to hang out after hitting the slopes all day. Aside from some great brews on tap, they also have a nice food menu and a large outdoor area with yard games.
Ski Resorts
Pocono Pines Getaway Cabins are located smack dab in the middle of numerous ski resorts. We didn’t have the opportunity to go skiing during our weekend trip, but would have loved to if we had more time. Here are some of the ski resorts in the Pocono Pines area:
Jack Frost
Big Boulder
Camelback Mountain
Hawk Falls Trail, Hickory Run State Park
Other Things Checkout Nearby
Tobyhanna State Park : The 5,440-acre park includes the 170-acre scenic Tobyhanna Lake. The 5.1-mile Lakeside Trail loops around the entire lake.
Big Pocono State Park : The 1,306-acre park consists of rugged terrain on the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain and features panoramic views of three states.
Pocono Raceway : Also known as The Tricky Triangle, this superspeedway is the site of four NASCAR national series races.
Water Parks : There are several year-round water parks in the Pocono region, including The Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts.
Overall, we had a great time in the Pocono Mountains at Sweet Pea Bungalows for the weekend. We enjoyed exploring the nearby state parks and Lake Naomi during the day and snuggling up on the cozy couch in the evenings. I highly recommend a stay at Sweet Pea Bungalows for a relaxing mountain retreat. I hope this guide on our weekend in the Pocono Mountains helps inspire you to visit!
