The Pocono Mountains, Northeastern Pennsylvania, USA

Monroe County is the most populated of the four Pocono Mountains counties (Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon). It comprises 608 square miles with a population of approximately 145,000. This is a 45% increase since 1990, and population has increased at roughly 4% annually.

Monroe County is served by four public school districts, each with its own elected school board, the Monroe County Area Vocational Technical School, and a number of private schools. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and the Monroe Campus of Northampton Community College are located in Monroe county, and other institutions of higher education in the nearby Lehigh Valley and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre areas.

Monroe County is accessible via Interstates 80, 81, 84 and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Several airports (Allentown ABE, Newark EWR and Avoca AVP) are within easy driving distance for both domestic and international travel.

Today, tourism is the largest single industry in Monroe County. The area is home to 7 state parks, 72,000 acres of state forests, the 70,000 acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, numerous state gamelands, 105 lakes, 18 waterfalls, and 170 river miles. Visitors enjoy many championship golf courses, NASCAR's competitive Pocono Raceway, ski resorts, honeymoon destinations, rich historical sites, and an active and growing arts and cultural environment.

The Comprehensive Guide to the Poconos

For Accommodations in the Poconos