Top 15 Things To Do in Dunmore, Pennsylvania

Why Dunmore Belongs on Your Adventure Shortlist

On a map, Dunmore reads like a small dot beside Scranton. On the ground, it behaves like a hinge between river calm and ridge-edge vistas—an honest place that rewards the curious traveler. The Lackawanna River, which threads regional history and industry, now offers more quiet eddies and put-ins than you might expect. A morning canoe or kayak here is equal parts local history lesson and easy wilderness reset: herons quarter the shallows, old mill foundations peek through riverbanks, and the city’s grid slips away like a subtitled backdrop.

Water activities dominate the appeal—canoe shuttles, boat tours on nearby reservoirs, and lazy river-tube runs in summer—but Dunmore’s inventory stretches to short, walkable hikes and accessible bike tours that loop through neighborhoods, parks, and rail-trail segments. For the people who want more adrenaline, organized rafting trips and guided kayak sessions are an easy drive into surrounding counties, while air activities and sightseeing flights provide a different rhythm: the grid of small towns beneath, the sweep of the coal region, and the neat patchwork of farms and forested hollows. Wildlife viewing here is quietly rewarding; fields and riparian edges host migratory birds, red-tailed hawks, and the occasional river otter.

The town’s compact footprint is part of its charm. You can make a morning of a guided boat rental, spend an afternoon sampling a city tour or bike rental, and close with a sunset paddle—all without an epic commitment to logistics. Outfitters in the broader Scranton–Wilkes-Barre area handle shuttles and rentals, so those interested in longer river segments or whitewater rafting can pair convenience with the right level of instruction. The local scene skews practical rather than polished: family-operated outfitters, neighborhood cafes that know your post-activity appetite, and a regional ethos that favors accessible, day-friendly adventures.

As a basecamp for northeastern Pennsylvania, Dunmore is useful for layering experiences. Stack an air tour at dawn with a mid-morning hike, a midday boat rental, and a late-afternoon wildlife-focused walk along the river. For travelers who want a mix—water activities and boat rental, a quick city tour between outings, or a restful river tube float to bookend a busy day—Dunmore’s geography and services make logistics feel easy. It’s a destination for people who value direct access over spectacle and for those who prize practical adventures: efficient, varied, and grounded in place.

Access and variety matter here. Outfitters and local rental shops simplify logistics for canoe, kayak, and boat rental, and nearby roads make it straightforward to reach far-flung hiking or rafting put-ins. Shoulder seasons—spring and fall—offer crisp air, active wildlife, and fewer crowds for city tours and air activities.

Pair outdoor time with regional culture: short city tours and neighborhood bike tours tie natural history to coal-era architecture and working landscapes. Whether you’re floating a lazy river tube or boarding an air tour, Dunmore’s pleasures are practical: short drives, flexible itineraries, and a surprising breadth of experiences packed into a compact region.

Choose Your Adventure Level