Retreat Center

Activities


41.2266° N, 75.2676° W

Spruce Lake is a welcoming place with over 900 acres of God’s creation to explore and enjoy! Available for you are outdoor activities, indoor recreation options, and a top-notch Adventure Program. Here in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, Spruce Lake is also close to skiing, tubing and other local attractions. Learn more about the activities we offer groups and registered guests, then reserve your spot at Spruce Lake today.

Adventure Program

Spruce Lake’s Adventure Program features zip lines, challenge courses, and both outdoor & indoor high ropes climbing events. See our list of adventure activities, as well as rates and scheduling information.

Adventure Program

Outdoor Activities

Basketball, Volleyball, Pickleball and Tennis

Two tennis courts, which are also lined out for playing pickleball, plus a combination basketball/volleyball court all provide space for playing your favorite high-energy games! Bring your own equipment or borrow ours, free of charge.

People play pickleball lined on tennis courts.

Campfires

Groups may reserve one of three campfire settings for evening activities by contacting our office staff. We’ll prepare the campfire as desired by the group, and can also provide utensils for making your own s’mores upon request.

There is the Lakeside Campfire (behind Spruce Lodge), Center Circle Campfire (between Lakeview Program Center and Founders Lodge), and the Amphitheater (behind Carol Cottage along a short path). Plus, guests at Mountainside Lodges each have their own campfire area.

Campfire circle.

Disc Golf

Our 9-hole disc golf course is located on the wooded hillside near the Retreat Center lake, and is free. Pick up equipment at the front desk in Spruce Lodge.

Disc golf course.

Gaga Court

Play this fun variant of dodge ball at our gaga court right behind the Wagon Wheel Snack Shop, adjacent to the playground area.

Campers playing gaga ball in a well built pit.

Hiking and Waterfalls

Wander through God’s creation on over 8 miles of woodland trails. Pass though rhododendron thickets, a quiet pine grove and scenic meadow. A favorite hike displays tumbling waterfalls and the vista atop Spruce Mountain. Distances per trail range from approximately ½ to 2 miles. Open our Overview Map of trails and paths or read a brief description of each trail.

Hiking.

Horseshoes and Shuffleboard

Gather for some friendly competition among family and friends! The outdoor shuffleboard, and horseshoes courts are all located next to the pool. All equipment for these games is located in the kiosk by the pool fence.

Outdoor shuffleboard.

Miniature Golf

Our professionally designed mini-golf course is also handicapped-accessible, offering a fun challenge for everyone! The cost is $5/person/game — or $15 for unlimited play time during your stay. Pay and pick up your equipment at the front desk in Spruce Lodge.

Mini golf.

North Lawn Play Area

The North Lawn is situated behind Twin Oaks Lodge, adjacent to the front edge of the Family Campground. Plenty of soft grass makes it great for programmed activities, our weekly outdoor chicken barbecue dinners, playing with the kids, or simply hanging out with family and friends. Feel free to use our sports equipment or bring your own.

People playing 9 square in the North Lawn Play Area.

Paddle Boats and Kayaks

Hop into a kayak or paddle boat for a relaxing (or competitive) spin around the small but pretty lake fed by a pure mountain stream (Spruce Run). Boats are available, with staff support, during specified hours from approximately mid-April through mid-October.

kayaking in river

Playgrounds

Our playground area is located between Wagon Wheel Snack Shop and the Family Campground. There is a section especially for young children, and another for older children with climbing elements, swings, merry-go-round and tether ball.

Kids on a playground carousel.

Swimming Pool

Our heated, outdoor pool is open afternoons and many evenings Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends. Our lifeguards are American Red Cross-certified and will be giving you their full attention while on duty.

Swimming pool.

Wagon Rides

People young and old enjoy the simple fun of riding through the woods in our large open-top wagon, which holds up to 30 people.  This wagon is  wheelchair accessible.

Wagon rides.

Winter Sports

Guests love our tubing hill, located along Wilderness Road across from the climbing tower area. Tubes are kept at the hill and are free. For those who want to go snowshoeing or ice skating, our equipment is available at a small charge.

Kids tubing down a snow covered hill.
A group of young adults playing volleyball.

Indoor Activities

Our all-purpose Lakeview Program Center can be easily converted into two volleyball courts or a basketball/volleyball court combined, and is a great place for various active indoor games. It’s usually open afternoons for walk-in use, but can be reserved for recreation in the evenings by guest groups. This area is not available, however, when Spruce Lake is leading an indoor Adventure Program activity, or when a very large guest group has it reserved for their meeting room space.

Nature Center

Come in for an interactive animal experience or to see our local animals from a different perspective. Learn about Spruce Lake’s wild habitats and their inhabitants — even on a rainy day! Inquire at the front desk for hours and for classes that can be scheduled for all ages.

Visit the Nature Center page.

Snack and Gift Shops

Among everybody’s most enjoyable places are the Snack and Gift Shops located in the Retreat Center hub. Whether it’s to find an attractive item of Spruce Lake clothing, a special card or gift, or to enjoy your favorite ice cream treat, we’re here to make your stay special!

For more details, visit the Shops page.

People enjoying the snack shop.

Indoor Game Room

Our indoor game room in the lower level of Founders Lodge offers two ping-pong tables, three pool tables, a bumper pool table, American Shuffleboard, one standard shuffleboard court, a foosball game and two air hockey tables.

Pingpong.

Lobby Games and Reading

In the lobby of Founders Lodge, challenge a friend to chess or checkers using the king-sized set. Or across the way in the lobby of Spruce Lodge, pick out a puzzle, board game or deck of cards from the selections available. Enjoy a cup of complimentary coffee or tea and relax with something to read.

A man reading in a rocking chair.

Local Attractions

The Pocono Mountains will arouse your senses with a unique beauty all their own! Flowing waterfalls, intimate forests and fresh mountain streams await your family for an abundance of outdoor opportunities only a short drive from Spruce Lake. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau offers plenty of helpful information for nearby attractions.