Best Family Resorts in Poconos, PA
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The Poconos' best family resorts are Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley (all-inclusive with a private lake and 30+ daily organized activities — FamilyFactor 89), Kalahari Resorts Poconos in Pocono Manor (the largest indoor waterpark in America at 220,000 sq ft — FamilyFactor 88), and Camelback Resort in Tannersville (dual indoor/outdoor waterparks plus ski-in/ski-out mountain access — FamilyFactor 87).
Woodloch Pines Resort
All-inclusive · $$$$
Kids' club
30+ organized activities daily, including the resort's well-known family game shows; private Lake Teedyuskung for swimming, boating, and waterskiing; go-karts, mini golf, rock climbing, and archery on the 1,000-acre wooded property.
Family room fit
Hotel-style rooms and suites, plus multi-bedroom guest homes with full kitchens for larger groups.
The most activity-dense all-inclusive in the Poconos catalog — meals and most activities are in the rate, and the private lake plus 30+ daily organized activities mean structured entertainment runs from morning to night without ever leaving the property. Safety scored 92 in our breakdown, the highest of this destination's three picks.
Watch out: All-inclusive rates are per person, per night, plus 7.5% tax and an 18-20% service charge — check live rates carefully, as totals for a family of four run well above standard hotel pricing once those fees are added. Location scored just 74, the softest category, reflecting the more remote Hawley, PA setting versus Kalahari or Camelback's highway-adjacent locations.
Kalahari Resorts Poconos
Resort · $$$
Kids' club
No formal kids' club, but the 220,000 sq ft indoor waterpark (the largest in America, kept at 84°F) plus a seasonal outdoor waterpark, a 40,000 sq ft arcade, and Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures (ropes course, zip line, laser tag, mini golf) cover entertainment across a wide age range.
Family room fit
Desert Rooms (standard, sleep 4) up through King Whirlpool Suites.
America's largest indoor waterpark, and waterpark admission is included for all guests — no separate ticket purchase. Kid-amenities scored 96 in our breakdown, the highest of this destination's three picks. Roughly $220-400/night depending on season and room.
Watch out: A mandatory daily resort fee (~$45) is added on top of the room rate — factor that into the total cost comparison against Camelback or Woodloch. Pricing scored just 68, the softest category for this pick.
Camelback Resort
Resort · $$$
Kids' club
No formal kids' club. Aquatopia indoor waterpark (wave pool, FlowRider, slides) plus Camelbeach outdoor waterpark (Pennsylvania's largest, 37+ rides and slides including the Rival Racer eight-lane racing slide) cover warm-weather entertainment; ski-in/ski-out access to Camelback Mountain covers winter.
Family room fit
Double Queen Suite (sleeps 6) and King Premier Suite (sleeps 4) — room-fit scored 90 in our breakdown, the highest of this destination's three picks.
The most four-season-flexible Poconos pick — indoor and outdoor waterparks cover spring through fall, and ski-in/ski-out access to Camelback Mountain (on the Ikon Pass network) plus snow tubing cover winter. Daily waterpark tickets are included with the room, similar to Kalahari's model.
Watch out: Family suites roughly $180-450/night depending on season; parent-recovery scored 76, the softest category, though a full-service spa is on-site for adults wanting a break from the waterpark noise.
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Family hotels in Poconos
Hotels.com inventory — compare across your dates.
Woodloch Pines Resort
$$$$
Check prices — $1,000+/night →Kalahari Resorts Poconos
$$$
Check live prices →Camelback Resort
$$$
Check live prices →
Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains
$$$
Check live prices →
Split Rock Resort
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Check prices — $300–600/night →Frequently asked
Which Poconos resort has the biggest indoor waterpark?
Kalahari Resorts Poconos has the largest indoor waterpark in America at 220,000 square feet, kept at a constant 84°F year-round. Camelback Resort's Aquatopia is smaller but is paired with Camelbeach, Pennsylvania's largest outdoor waterpark, giving Camelback more total waterpark square footage across both seasons combined.
Is Woodloch Pines Resort worth the all-inclusive premium?
For families who want structured, hands-off programming — 30+ organized activities daily plus a private lake for swimming and boating — yes. Families who mainly want waterpark time and plan to eat off-property some nights are usually better served by Kalahari or Camelback, where the base rate is lower and food isn't bundled in.
Can Poconos family resorts be visited in winter?
Yes, and it's a genuine selling point of the region — Camelback Resort offers ski-in/ski-out access to Camelback Mountain and snow tubing, Woodloch Pines has winter ice skating and snow tubing on-property, and all three properties' indoor waterparks operate year-round regardless of outdoor temperature.
How far is the Poconos from New York City and Philadelphia?
The Poconos region sits roughly 2-2.5 hours from New York City and about 1.5-2 hours from Philadelphia by car, making it a common weekend or long-weekend drive destination for families from both metro areas rather than a fly-to destination.
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Find the right family resort for your family
Tell the Advisor your kids' ages, your budget, and your travel window. We score every Poconos family property on FamilyFactor so you book the right room — not just the cheapest one.