Category: Hikes

Planning your Pocono mountain vacation, but unsure of the best time to visit Bushkill Falls?

Bushkill Falls, often referred to as the “Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania,” is a year round treasure trove of experiences. From fall’s perfect sweater weather to serene, snow blanketed winter with beautiful spring and adventurous summer in between, each season offers a compelling reason to visit this Pennsylvania gem.

Read on for each season’s highlights! 

Visit Bushkill Falls in the Summer

If you visit Bushkill Falls in the summer, you can expect temperatures with highs in the low 80s (Fahrenheit) and lows in the mid-50s. Bushkill Falls averages 9 rain days monthly in the summer. Vacationers who visit Bushkill Falls in the summer flock to the area’s hiking trails and river rafting.

Bushkill Falls offers four different trails to accommodate all exertion and ability levels, ranging from the Green Trail’s 15-minute stroll to the Red Trail’s two hour, two mile hike. There are eight waterfalls on the Bushkill Falls property, with an observation deck for the Main Falls just a short distance from the parking lot. You can find more information about Bushkill Falls, trail maps, and other details here. 

Guests at Shawnee Inn have access to river trips of all kinds, from canoes and kayaks to rafts and pontoon boat tours! Whether you choose to paddle yourself, brave a river raft, or sit back and let an experienced guide take the wheel, you’ll be treated to remarkable views on the Delaware River. 

Visit Bushkill Falls in the Fall

Weather when you visit Bushkill Falls in the fall can range from the mid-70s to low 50s during the day, with nighttime temperatures dipping into the 30s. Bushkill Falls averages about 7 days of rain monthly during the fall, making this season the driest time in Bushkill Falls. Fall is a great time for exploration that comes with a bit of warmth – think axe throwing, brewery tours, and leaf peeping hikes. 

Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort is the only Bushkill Falls area resort that offers outdoor axe throwing. Chilly temperatures are the perfect solution to the sweat you’ll work up aiming for the bullseye! 

Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort is home to a brewery, tap room, and beer garden. Brewery tours at ShawneeCraft Brewery go beyond showing you where their delicious beer is made – this tour gives you behind-the-scenes information, three tasters, and a tasting glass souvenir. 

Cool mornings give way to warm afternoons during the fall in Bushkill Falls, making it an ideal time for hiking in the Poconos. Take your time on the trails and take in the beautiful fall foliage in the Pocono Mountains. 

Visit Bushkill Falls in the Winter

Looking to visit Bushkill Falls in the winter? Be ready for daytime highs in the 30s and nighttime temperatures down to the teens, with about 8 snow days per month. Winter vacationers to Bushkill Falls typically take advantage of the snowy weather with skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. 

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area is located just minutes from the historic Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, giving you quick access to Shawnee Mountain’s 125 skiable acres, 23 trails, snow-tubing park, and more winter fun. You can save on your winter trip to Bushkill Falls with Shawnee Inn’s Ski & Stay packages!  

Visit Bushkill Falls in the Spring

A visit to Bushkill Falls in the spring can mean a range of weather! Expect cooler temperatures in the 50s and 60s during early spring, warming up to the 70s by May. Nighttime temperatures in Bushkill Falls in the spring can dip to the 30s and 40s. Spring is a great time for bird watching on the trails at Bushkill Falls, guided hikes, and wine tours. 

The trails at Bushkill Falls typically reopen in March, right on time for spring bird watching. As the landscape returns to lush green after the winter, bird watchers love the Red and Blue Trails at Bushkill Falls for spotting Belted Kingfishers, Indigo Buntings, and even the occasional American Woodcock. 

Guided hikes from the Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort take place daily, with no additional cost for Shawnee Inn guests. Shawnee Inn’s professional guides lead group hikes to Poconos and Delaware Water Gap trails. You can also book a private guided hike for your small group! 

Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort is located centrally to Poconos and Bushkill Falls area wineries, making it the perfect homebase for a self-guided Pocono wine tour. Shawnee Inn put together a local winery guide for your convenience.

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Whether your vacation calls for bird watching, river rafting, skiing, or craft brews, Bushkill Falls and our Pocono resort have you covered. Each season brings a unique charm and unforgettable opportunities for exploration and fun. Start planning your Bushkill Falls visit and stay with Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort today!

Hiking in the Poconos varies by season. There is no single list that prepares a hiker for every season in the Poconos.

Below are descriptions for each season of hiking in the Delaware Water Gap and Poconos.

Spring Hiking

The Pocono’s has some beautiful weather during March and May. During the spring months expect a wonderful mix of flowers and trees budding and blooming. With no leaves on the trees yet, you will see unobstructed picturesque views of the mountains, rivers and streams that make up the Poconos.

Summer Hiking

One of the things that guests love about Shawnee in the summertime is the lush vegetation that surrounds the property. That same vegetation is what surrounds you when you hike any of the local trails in the Pocono’s during the summer months. Expect to see trees like Tulip Poplar, Birch, Oak and Sassafras, and shrubs like Rhododendron. You will love discovering special hidden waterfalls and swimming holes, perfect for cooling off during a hot day. A bustling variety of wildlife can be found on the trails during the summer months. Be on the look out for deer, birds of prey, reptiles, and various insects as you enjoy your hike.

Fall Hiking

The Poconos is known for the amazing fall foliage we experience every year. Besides the beautiful foliage, the fall months have near perfect weather for hiking. Cool, brisk mornings turn into warm afternoons. It is no wonder that hiking in Autumn is so popular, the views alone are absolutely breath taking.

Winter Hiking

A winter hike in the Pocono’s is known for its aesthetic beauty, and unobstructed views of the mountains. Truly a winter wonderland with fresh snow and ice on the waterfalls. One will also experience a beautiful silence that brings a feeling of Zen.

Please click here for a gear check list for each season.

Inhale that fresh mountain air! Are you looking to catch a glimpse of the native wildlife, observe the seasonal foliage, or listen to the gently flowing waters of the Delaware River? Riding or running the trails at The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort allows you the opportunity to experience it all. Choose between the two- or three-mile loop or if you’re really feeling adventurous, do both!

The two-mile red trail takes you from the Main Inn across the Grand Lawn and past the legacy collection cottages. You’ll pass Worthington and Minisink Roads on your left while following the river to your right. As the path curves up, take Depuy Drive to its end, then turn around to come back. Along the way, you might encounter wildlife like the ruffed grouse, raccoon, river otter, eastern gray squirrel, white-tailed deer, red fox, eastern coyote, and black bear. You might even see the bald eagles who nest on Shawnee Island. You might not see them but will certainly hear numerous songbirds that call this trail home. You may also take note of the many trees that grow in the rich soils along the floodplain of the Delaware River, some of which include the sugar maple, red oak, white pine, sycamore, beech, and walnut.

The three-mile blue trail takes you from the Inn up the main drive to Golf Course Drive. As you follow Golf Course Drive, to your left will be the golf course and Delaware River, and to your right will be Delaware Lodge and the timeshare villas. At the end of the timeshare villas, you will enter the wooded path known as Rainbow Alley, this connects to Ickes Memorial Drive, and then to Eilenberger Landing Lane. At the end of Eilenberger Landing Lane, you will turn around to come back to the Shawnee Inn. Along this path, you might encounter some of the same wildlife as that of the Red Trail, as well as spotting some of the same foliage.

Whether you be a hardcore cyclist or a casual rider, an avid runner or simply looking to take a leisurely stroll now is the time to hit the trails at The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort! Plus, we have expert tips on the best Poconos hiking trails near Shawnee Inn.