Tobyhanna, PA

Tobyhanna is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, situated on the Pocono Plateau in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. With a population of roughly 5,700 residents, the community has a quiet, forested character defined by its dense woodlands, its sizeable federal installation, and the surrounding network of lakes and state parks. It is best known as home to the Tobyhanna Army Depot, one of the largest full-service electronics maintenance facilities in the Department of Defense, and it serves as a northern gateway into the broader Pocono resort region, lying roughly 100 miles northwest of New York City, about 100 miles north of Philadelphia, and approximately 25 miles southeast of Scranton.

A short drive east of the community, Tobyhanna State Park offers more than 5,000 acres of Pocono Plateau woodland wrapped around a 170-acre lake. The park draws visitors year-round with swimming, fishing, non-powered boating, picnic areas, and a popular campground, and its network of hiking trails makes it a frequent stop for families exploring the Poconos.

A bit farther afield, the wider Pocono region is anchored by a cluster of major resort destinations within roughly a half-hour drive. Camelback Mountain Resort, Kalahari Resorts, and Mount Airy Casino Resort collectively offer skiing, indoor water parks, gaming, and family entertainment that bring weekend crowds throughout the year, while the nearby town of Jim Thorpe, about 30 miles south, adds a layer of historic charm with its Victorian architecture, scenic railroad, bike-friendly rail trail, and whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River.

To the southeast, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area spans the Pennsylvania–New Jersey border and provides an expansive outdoor playground of river scenery, waterfalls, and hiking trails, all reachable in about a 45-minute drive.

Toby's combination of year-round outdoor recreation, proximity to major Northeast metropolitan areas, and access to some of the Poconos' most popular resorts makes it a quietly appealing base for short-term rental investors. Travelers drawn to state parks, ski slopes, water parks, and small-town charm can enjoy a more tranquil, residential setting than the busier gateway towns of Stroudsburg or Mount Pocono, while still being within easy reach of nearly every marquee attraction the region has to offer.