Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
Visiting Delaware State Forest
What to know, what to do, and where to stay nearby.
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Delaware State Forest is not a destination you drive to — it is the landscape that surrounds you. Over 80,000 acres of unbroken forest stretch across the northern Poconos, wrapping around Ferncrest Promised Land on nearly every side. This is deep, quiet woodland — the kind of place where you can hike for an hour without seeing another person. For guests at Ferncrest, it is not a day trip. It is the backyard.
What to Do
Everything Delaware State Forest has to offer
The forest is laced with trails ranging from short nature walks to full-day backcountry hikes. The Thunder Swamp Trail System is the highlight — a 45-mile network of interconnected loops through wetlands, ridgelines, and old-growth hemlock stands. You can do a short 3-mile loop or link sections together for a longer trek.
Fishing is exceptional in the forest's creeks and streams. Wild brook trout inhabit many of the cold-water tributaries, and the solitude of fishing a forest stream — no crowds, no noise, just moving water — is hard to find anywhere else in the northeast. Bring a fly rod and explore.
Wildlife viewing is a quiet but rewarding part of the experience. Black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bald eagles are all present in the forest. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to spot wildlife, particularly along the edges of wetlands and meadows.
For those looking for something less structured, Delaware State Forest is simply a place to walk and be in nature. The forest roads are open for mountain biking, the ridges offer long views over unbroken canopy, and the silence is the kind you forget exists until you are standing in it.
Why It's Worth the Trip
More than a pin on the map.
Most outdoor destinations in the northeast feel managed — marked trails, visitor centers, parking lots. Delaware State Forest feels wild. It is 80,000 acres of forest with minimal development, where the trails are quieter, the woods are deeper, and the sense of solitude is real. For Ferncrest guests, it adds a dimension to the trip that a state park alone cannot — the feeling of being genuinely surrounded by wilderness, not just visiting it for an afternoon.
Seasonal Guide
Best time to visit Delaware State Forest
Spring
Wildflowers bloom across the forest floor and migratory birds return to the canopy. Streams run high and cold, making it prime time for brook trout fishing. Trails can be muddy in early spring but dry out by May.
Summer
The forest canopy is dense and green, keeping the trails cool even on hot days. Summer is ideal for longer hikes on the Thunder Swamp Trail System. Mosquitoes can be present near wetlands — bring repellent.
Fall
Fall in Delaware State Forest is spectacular. The vast canopy turns to a continuous landscape of gold, orange, and red. With fewer visitors than the state parks, it is one of the best places in the Poconos for a quiet foliage hike.
Winter
The forest stays open year-round. Snow-covered trails are excellent for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The bare trees open up ridge views that are hidden in summer. Winter here is stark, quiet, and beautiful.
Frequently asked questions
Where to Stay
Stay at Ferncrest Promised Land
Surrounding the property
Ferncrest Promised Land sits within minutes of Delaware State Forest — some of the trailheads are practically next door. You wake up in your dome tent, step outside into forest air, and you are already there. No drive, no planning, no crowds. After a day of hiking the Thunder Swamp trails or fishing a secluded stream, you return to a hot tub, a fire pit, and a real bed. It is wilderness access with none of the roughing it.
