Dive in to your newest adventure.
Whether you seek a roller coaster ride through the mountains or something daring underwater, there are plenty of attractions in northeast Pennsylvania.
Here’s some of your best bets.
Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark and Aquatopia
Whether you want to make a splash indoors or out, Camelback Resort has something for everyone.
Aquatopia, a 125,000 square foot indoor waterpark boasts seven pools and 13 slides, including a swim-up wet bar and lazy river. Some of its most popular rides are the Constrictor (511 foot ride) and Mountain Mayhem (403 foot slide).
There is also a indoor “dry adventure” center with a ropes course and more than 100 arcade games.
In the summertime, check out the Keystone State’s biggest outdoor waterpark, Camelbeach. The park is known for its 30–plus waterslides, including the High Noon Typhoon (sending riders soaring six stories into the mountains) and the Vortex and Spin (the only duo bowl slides in the US).
Also at the resort: A roller coaster, ziplining and snow tubing (available during ski season).
Season:Aquatopia is open year-round. Opening weekend at Camelbeach starts June 11. Season official kicks off June 17.
Amenities: Lodging (453 rooms), 15 restaurants, spa and fitness center.
Accessibility info: Entrances are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs at the admission gates and in restaurants. You may bring your own wheelchair or electric wheelchair.
Ticket prices: Tickets for Aquatopia start at $89. Tickets for Camelbeach start at $48.
COVID restrictions: Operating at 75% capacity. On-going sanitization and disinfection of all public spaces, with attention to high touch areas such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, remote controls, and phones. Hand sanitizing stations are placed throughout the resort for guests and associates. Face coverings required while not in the water.
Address: 301 Resort Drive, Tannersville.
Box office: 855-515-1283 or 570-629-1661
Website/Social channel: camelbackresort.com
Costa’s Family Fun Park
Costa’s Family Fun Park is located on Route 6 just east of Hawley near Lake Wallenpaupack.
Attractions include go kart rides, laser tag games, mini golf, children’s play land, bumper boat rides, batting range, driving range.
Season: Opens May 22
Water Park: Yes
Amenities: Snack bar and space for parties and small gatherings
Accessibility info: Wheelchair accessible
Ticket prices: $45
COVID restrictions: Masks are required when interacting with staff, when moving indoors, ordering food, or standing within 6 feet of another person. Social distancing is also encouraged. The park is sanitizing all activity areas on a regular basis.
Address: 2111 Route 6, Hawley.
Website/Social channels: costasfamilyfunpark.com/activities
Great Wolf Lodge
Day passes are now available to the indoor waterpark (with limited dates) which includes entry to 14 aqua-themed attractions. Popular slides include the Hydro Plunge (a thrilling 52-foot vertical drop) and Alberta Falls (a tandem tube ride).
Season: Open year-round.
Amenities: Lodging (401 rooms), seven restaurants.
Accessibility info: Accessible front entrance; onsite designated accessible parking; accessible front desk for registration or other guest service, accessible pathways from front desk to guestrooms (including accessible elevators to other floors of the hotel and common area corridors of 36” width or wider); equipment available upon request to assist with audibility needs; accessible common area restrooms and water fountains. All retail and food service establishments include accessibility elements.
Ticket prices: Day passes start at $30.
COVID restrictions: Operating at 75% capacity. Face coverings required while not in the water.
Address: One Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun.
Box office: 800-768-9653
Website/Social channel:Greatwolf.com/pocono
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Wanting to escape reality? Check out a new way to look under under the sea with the resort’s new virtual reality aqua experience. Get up close and personal with majestic sea creatures, who serve as a guide while you snorkel (with your own VR goggles) through the thrilling attraction.
Day passes to Kalahari, known as the largest indoor water park in NEPA, includes access to popular rides such as the FlowRider (a body boarding surf situation with five-foot waves) and the Tanzanian Twister body slide (riders twist through a tunnel before falling into a seven-foot pool).
Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventure has socially-distanced outdoor fun such as mini golf, zip lining and a ropes course. The Big Game Room has a blacklight laser tag arena, mini golf, bowling and three themed escape rooms.
Season: Open year round.
Amenities: Lodging (1,000 rooms), 11 restaurants, spa, salon, fitness center, convention space, five retail shops,
Accessibility info: Pools at Kalahari Resorts are ADA accessible using one or more of the following: ADA chair lifts, handrails, and zero depth entry.
Ticket prices: $59.99 and up. Underwater Virtual Reality costs $10 (one experience) or $15 (for two experiences).
COVID restrictions: Operating at 75% capacity. Safety protocols include physical distancing at check-in; resort maps and other info sent via text message; sanitizer stations throughout the property; cash free methods of payment; removal of high-touch items in guest rooms; single use paper menus in restaurants and express check out. Face coverings required while not in the water.
Address: 250 Kalahari Boulevard, Pocono Manor.
Box office: 877-525-2427
Website/Social channels: Kalahariresort.com
Knoebels
Move over, cotton candy: Knoebels has much more to offer.
This amusement park, is known to be a foodies paradise (fun fact: it has been named Best Park Food by “Amusement Today,” a whopping 18 times since 2000).
Head to the International food court and sample some gator bites, burritos, Haluski or a Memphis Pork Sundae (Sweet cornbread topped with smokey pulled pork, Monterey Cheddar Cheese and sour cream).
Meat lovers: check out the barbecue lot where you’ll find favorite such as pork on a stick, bacon on a stick (chocolate optional) and smoked turkey legs.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, there’s also a waffle shack and an ice cream joint.
Knoebels has also picked up dibs for its Phoenix Roller Coaster, a wooden big dipper that stands at 78-feet and was once known as the tallest roller coaster in the world. The park acquired the roller coaster in the 80s from Playland Park in San Antonio and restored it paving a way for restoration and relocation of other old-time roller coasters nationwide.
Season: Opened through Jan. 2.
Water Park: Yes
Amenities: Outdoor space for private functions
Accessibility info: Offers a special wrist band allowing guests to board the rides through the exit gates. These bands are for permanent physical and mental disabilities. Inquire at the Customer Service Window. The courtesy pass allows the courtesy band holder and one additional guest to exit through the gates. Knoebels has also partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC).
Ticket prices: Starts at $25.
COVID restrictions: Operating a limited capacity. Face coverings required. Social distancing protocols in place.
Address: 391 Knoebels Boulevard, Elysburg.
Box office: 570-672-2572
Website/Social channels: knoebels.com
— Micaela Hood is a lifestyles reporter for the USA TODAY Network Mid-Atlantic features team and is based at the Pocono Record. Reach her by emailing [email protected].
More Stories
Gender-inclusive beauty products everyone will love
Derby Road Outlets Announces 5 New Additions To Its Diverse Assortment of Retail & Restaurants
German chancellor candidates experience off in 2nd Tv set discussion