Woodloch Pines Resort Family Guide: What to Expect in the Poconos

Planning a vacation that keeps kids happy, adults relaxed, and grandparents comfortable is no small task. Woodloch Pines Resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains is one of those rare places that genuinely tries to solve that challenge with a classic, all-inclusive, family-first experience built around togetherness, games, and lakefront fun.

This guide walks you through what it’s like to stay at Woodloch Pines with your family, how the resort works, and how to decide if it matches your vacation style.

Where You’re Going: The Big Picture

Woodloch Pines is a long-running, family-owned resort on Lake Teedyuskung in the Poconos, a few hours’ drive from major East Coast cities. It blends old-fashioned camp-style activities with modern amenities and a big emphasis on multigenerational travel.

• Location: Hawley, Pennsylvania, in the Pocono Mountains
• Property size: Over 300 acres on the main family resort campus; the broader Woodloch properties span more than 1,200 acres when including the golf and spa facilities.
• Resort type: All-inclusive, activity-focused family resort with meals and many activities bundled into daily rates.
• Vibe: Classic, slightly nostalgic, very social, with an emphasis on games, contests, and group fun.

What Makes Woodloch Different

There are plenty of lake resorts and plenty of all-inclusives—but Woodloch leans into a specific philosophy of togethering, or intentionally spending time as a group, rather than scattering everyone in different directions.

• Family ownership: The same family has operated the resort since 1958, shaping a distinct culture of personal, hands-on hospitality.
• Activity-heavy programming: A constantly changing schedule of games, shows, and activities—often compared to a cruise on land—means very little downtime if you want to stay busy.
• Intergenerational design: There is something built-in for almost every age group: toddlers, grade-school kids, teens, parents, and grandparents.
• One place, many styles: Within a small radius, you have the family resort (Woodloch Pines), a championship golf course community (Woodloch Springs), and a separate adults-focused spa resort (The Lodge at Woodloch).

Staying at Woodloch: Rooms and Layout

Most families will stay at the main Woodloch Pines resort on or near the lake. The layout is designed so you are never too far from the dining room, activity hubs, or waterfront.

Room Types and Features

• Capacity: Many rooms sleep up to six, which works well for bigger families or when grandparents join.
• Views: A large share of rooms offer lake views and private balconies, one of the resort’s nicest visual perks.
• Standard amenities: Flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, coffee makers, hairdryers, irons, and in-room safes are typical.

The décor is more traditional than trendy, but the design is practical: lots of beds, lots of storage, and easy-to-clean surfaces—useful when traveling with kids.

Choosing Where to Stay

When picking a room or building, think about how your family spends time:

• Families with young kids: Being closer to the main lodge and pools can make naps and quick outfit changes simpler.
• Families with teens: Lake views and easy access to the go-karts, courts, and sports areas may be more appealing.
• Multigenerational groups: Consider adjoining rooms or larger accommodations so cousins can pile into one space while grandparents have a quieter room nearby.

Food and Dining: How Meals Work

Woodloch leans into classic, sit-down meal service with a predictable rhythm: everyone heads to the dining room during set windows, and your table is your home base for the stay.

• Meal plans: Packages typically include two or three meals per day. You simply show up; no elaborate reservations or on-the-spot decisions are required.
• Assigned seating: You keep the same table and server throughout your visit, which minimizes confusion and helps staff remember preferences and allergies.
• Kid-friendly options: Expect plenty of family standards such as pasta, chicken, and simple sides, alongside more substantial options for adults.
• Allergies and dietary needs: Let the resort know in advance; long-running family properties like this typically handle common dietary requests reasonably well, but specifics are worth clarifying before you go.

The meal structure creates built-in pauses to regroup and reconnect, a big part of the resort’s emphasis on family time.

Activities: The Heart of a Woodloch Vacation

The activity schedule is what makes or breaks this type of vacation—this is not a place where you sit by a pool for hours doing nothing (unless you want to). Expect a rotating lineup of tournaments, contests, shows, and outdoor fun.

Lake and Outdoor Fun

Lake Teedyuskung is the focal point in warmer months, with a beach, docks, and water activities.

• Swimming from the sandy lakefront beach in season
• Waterslide into the lake (seasonal)
• Boating options like paddleboats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and sailboats
• Waterskiing for guests above a minimum age (typically teens)
• Nature trails for easy family hiking and stroller-friendly walks

Indoor and All-Weather Options

Woodloch is a four-season resort, and a lot of planning goes into keeping families entertained when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

• Indoor pools and a kid-focused splash zone
• Indoor playground with multi-level climbing structures and slides
• Basketball gymnasium and sports courts
• Game and lounge spaces with pool tables, TV, and casual hangout spots for teens and adults

Classic Resort Games and Rides

Woodloch has a distinctly retro mix of activities that feel like a combination of summer camp and small amusement park.

• Bumper cars and seasonal bumper boats
• Go-karts (usually with age and height rules)
• Miniature golf courses
• Climbing wall and archery areas
• Snow tubing in winter, weather permitting

Organized Games and Themed Events

One of the resort’s signatures is its staff-run competitions and shows: think scavenger hunts, trivia, and large-scale family games where multiple families compete together. These activities are central to that “cruise on land” feeling and can be especially fun for school-age kids and competitive adults.

Entertainment and Nightlife (Family-Style)

Evenings at Woodloch are designed around shows, live entertainment, and family-friendly performances.

• Kid-focused shows: Jugglers, magicians, variety acts, and seasonal performances keep younger kids engaged after dinner.
• Adult and all-ages shows: Comedians, music, and bigger stage-style productions mean that even older family members have something to look forward to once the sun goes down.

It is not a nightlife destination in the traditional sense—no big clubs or late-night bar scene—but rather a place where the evening highlight is usually a show you attend together.

Wellness, Golf, and Time Away from the Crowd

While the main resort is all about groups, there are built-in options for parents or grandparents who want a quieter interlude.

Golf at Woodloch Springs

Just a short drive from the main resort, Woodloch Springs features an 18-hole championship golf course with a strong reputation in the region.

• Course style: Par-72 course over more than 6,500 yards through forests, wetlands, and open meadows
• Who it suits: Golfing parents, older teens who play, or grandparents who enjoy both play and spectatorship.

Spa Escape at The Lodge at Woodloch

The Lodge at Woodloch, a separate luxury spa resort nearby, provides day access to Woodloch Pines guests via spa packages.

• Indoor pools and HydroMassage water features
• Fitness classes and cardio/weight studios
• Spa services and quiet relaxation lounges

This is a useful option if one adult wants a dedicated wellness day while the rest of the family enjoys the busier resort schedule.

Sample Family Day at Woodloch

Every day is different, but this rough outline shows how a typical day might flow:

Practical Planning Tips for Parents

Because so much is structured for you, planning is more about choosing the right timing and pacing than about building a day-by-day itinerary.

• Pick the right season: Summer emphasizes lake time and outdoor fun; winter leans on snow tubing and indoor activities; fall foliage is especially scenic in the Poconos.
• Check minimum ages: Activities like waterskiing, driving go-karts, or using certain equipment usually have age or height limits—important if your kids are on the cusp of those thresholds.
• Pack for variety: Bring swimsuits, casual clothes for outdoor play, one or two nicer outfits for shows or photos, and layers for cool mountain evenings.
• Think about nap logistics: If you have toddlers, ask about room locations that make it easy to pop back during the day.
• Mind the schedule, but don’t chase everything: The activity list can be long; focus on a few daily priorities instead of trying to do it all.

Who Will Love Woodloch Pines (and Who Might Not)

Woodloch is not a one-size-fits-all destination. Its strengths are very clear, and so are the situations where another style of resort might be better.

Best For

• Families who enjoy structured, hosted activities more than free-form downtime.
• Groups traveling with grandparents and extended family who want shared meals and shows.
• Parents who appreciate predictable costs and minimal on-site decision-making once the trip begins.
• Kids who thrive on games, contests, and performance-style entertainment.

Might Not Be Ideal For

• Travelers who prefer private, quiet, boutique-style stays.
• Families who want mostly independent exploring rather than scheduled events.
• Couples on a romantic, adults-only trip—The Lodge at Woodloch is a better fit in that case.

Recognition and Reputation

Over the decades, Woodloch has accumulated a long list of awards and a loyal guest base that returns repeatedly.

• Recognized as a top family resort in North America by multiple travel outlets.
• Named a favorite by family travel reviewers and major ratings platforms for its consistency and service.
• Praised by many guests for balancing kids’ fun with enough activities to keep adults and grandparents engaged.

Awards are not the whole story, but they do support what many parents notice quickly: the resort is built from the ground up for families, not retrofitted to accommodate them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Woodloch Pines truly all-inclusive?

A: Woodloch offers packages that include accommodations, many activities, and two or three daily meals. Some extras—such as certain arcade games, premium activities, spa treatments, and golf—cost additional fees, so it is best to confirm what your specific package covers before booking.

Q: What ages is Woodloch best suited for?

A: The resort is designed for a wide age range: toddlers have dedicated play spaces, grade-school kids and tweens love the games and rides, teens gravitate toward sports and lake activities, and adults and grandparents enjoy shows, golf, and the spa.

Q: Do I need a car once I arrive?

A: While many core amenities are walkable within the main campus, having a car is useful if you plan to visit the nearby golf course, the spa at The Lodge at Woodloch, or other attractions in the Poconos region.

Q: How far in advance should I book?

A: Peak times such as summer, school breaks, and holiday weekends can fill up quickly at family resorts. Booking several months ahead gives you more choice of room types and dates and lets you plan around school and work schedules.

Q: Is it a good place for a family reunion?

A: Yes. Woodloch’s emphasis on shared meals, group activities, and multigenerational entertainment makes it especially popular for reunions and large family gatherings, with the capacity to host hundreds of guests across multiple buildings.