When a weekend opened up with no sports obligations, I realized this was my moment to plan a last-minute getaway with the kids. We had a few conditions—it had to be a place that offered a bunch of different activities for us to choose from, and a short drive from our house. I did a little research, and when I came across Camelback Resort in the nearby Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, with snow activities at Camelback Mountain and a gigantic indoor waterpark, I knew we had a win. I booked a stay there for the weekend and told my husband and kids, who were thrilled to sneak in a getaway. Read on for our stay and more about what you need to know at Camelback. And if you are looking for more winter getaways in NJ and nearby, we found plenty of great options. (featured photo credit: Camelback Resort)

Camelback Resort: Indoor And Outdoor Fun

A warm welcome to Camelback Lodge

After pulling up to the beautifully designed modern resort and unpacking everything we needed for our two-night stay from the car, we entered the spacious lobby and went to the reception area to check in. Our room wasn’t ready yet, so we checked our luggage and headed to Aquatopia, where the transparent Texlon roof allowed light into a mountain paradise of “icebergs” and secret lagoons. We all felt it was an inviting oasis where we could relax and spend the day. Though there are many comfy spaces to hang out near the water’s edge, we opted for a private cabana rental. We loved having all the extras like a TV, a designated server for food and drinks, comfortable couches and lounge chairs, a fridge stocked with water, and a yummy fresh fruit platter. We settled into our space and then headed towards the outdoor pool. Yes, it was freezing outside, but we weren’t cold because you enter on the inside, then swim through the heavy, clear curtain into the steaming, heated water. My kids were thrilled to swim into the outdoor portion—floating outside in the cold air, with steam rising from the water, was, as my son said, “super cool!”

Fun for all ages at Aquatopia

After our outdoor swim, my kids were itching to get on the water slides. We appreciated that everyone in our party, from 5 to 75 years old, had so many ride options. The Mountain Mayhem slide was a family favorite—it’s one of a kind with a choose-your-own-adventure theme, where you pick from one of the four unique ride options as you go down. We also loved the Egyptian-themed lazy river with beautiful rock walls, flowing waterfalls, and other fun water features. The wave pool was massive, giving the kids plenty of space to splash and swim through the waves. All three of my kids spent hours shooting baskets at Alley-Oop Lagoon, completing the ninja-warrior-like hurdle at the Croc-O-Nile Crossing, and playing on Kartrite’s Quest, a themed aqua play structure. My 5-year-old explored Penguin Play Bay, which is an adorable water area for littles. Over on the Bombora FlowRider surfing simulator, my older boys were testing the waters and pulled off creative tricks on the waves after a few hours. During their waterplay, I stopped by the Oasis swim-up bar, which had super fun-looking cocktails. While I sipped on my sparkling water (too early for a cocktail for me), I felt like I was at an all-inclusive beach resort in the Caribbean.

Time to chill at a Camelback restaurant

By the end of the day, everyone was on the verge of getting hangry, so instead of sitting down to a full meal, we opted for a quick dinner at Wood Fired Graffiti Pizza, where we ordered customized pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. But if we had more time, we would have wanted to try one of the resort’s more upscale restaurants, including Trails End Pub & Grille or Alta Vida, a family-friendly  mountainside Mexican restaurant. Afterward, we picked up our luggage from the bellman and went to our room, which had a great layout and space for our group. The separate sleeping area with four bunk beds allowed my kids to fall asleep while the adults watched TV and talked until we were ready for bed. It was also nice to have a table, chairs, a mini fridge, and a microwave in case anyone wanted a snack.

The Arcadia Arcade offers hours of fun

We hit the giant arcade in the morning and had a blast playing games like basketball, Connect Four, and spinning the Monopoly wheel. My kids were thrilled to win stacks of tickets and chose rewards from the massive prize room. We didn’t get a chance to on this visit, but we all want to try the escape room, bumper cars, and a virtual reality experience next time.  

Take a ride on the magic carpet

After a spin around the arcade, we took a shuttle to our two-hour snow-tubing session. With Camelback Mountain close by, there are plenty of winter activities, including skiing, snow tubing, ski/snowboard lessons, and rentals. Some shuttles can take you on a minute drive to the tubing mountain from the lodge, or you can drive your car and park there. At check-in, we received a pass to keep zipped into a pocket that automatically opens the tubing area entry. We picked our tube (there are double and single options), stepped onto the magic carpet that takes you to the top, picked a lane, and waited for the attendant to give us the go-ahead. From the first ride to the last, the thrill of flying down the snow was so fun for all of us, and our session flew by. Afterward, we relaxed at one of the many fire pits at the mountain’s base, munching on snacks while we looked out at the scenery. Once we rested, it was back to Aquatopia (you can visit the waterpark as many times as you want during your stay), and it was really fun to go from winter activities to summer-inspired ones on the same day. We left after more water adventures, vowing to return in the summer for all the outdoor activities, as well as the Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark, the biggest in PA.

What to know before you go

Nestled in the scenic Pocono Mountains, Camelback Lodge is an eight-story, modern-designed mountain hotel with 453 guest suites, the largest accommodating 14 guests and including a full kitchen and the conveniences of home. Rates start at $177 and vary by season and include access to amenities and the Aquatopia Water Park; lift tickets to Camelback Mountain and resort fees are extra. Features of the lodge include Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, Arcadia Adventures, multiple dining venues, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. During your stay, download Camelback Resort’s app, which gives day visitors and stay guests the opportunity to explore, pre-book accommodations, plan on-site adventure itineraries, make dining reservations (sit-down, outdoor, and to-go), arrange equipment rentals, purchase adventure tickets, and engage with the property. 

Visit Camelback Resort through the website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Camelback Lodge
193 Resort Drive
Tannersville, PA 18372

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