Coolbaugh is a recreation-filled township in the Poconos
Between its more than 10,000 acres of forested recreation areas and amenity-rich housing developments, Coolbaugh fulfills the Pocono Mountain region’s promise of four seasons of fun. “Coolbaugh is one of our most short-term rental friendly townships in Monroe County,” says Christina Taliaferrow-Mosleh, a Realtor with D-N-A Property Management Co. While Coolbaugh is known for attracting investors and many seasonal or weekend visitors, it’s also home to one of the county’s largest employers and state parks suitable for year-round visits. The constants of commuter, commercial and community centers keep Coolbaugh a vital, rural community for lifelong residents and second homebuyers alike.
Recreation at state parks and nearby Pocono Mountain destinations
Tobyhanna State Park sprawls between Monroe and Wayne counties, a destination for overnight camping, hiking and biking, fishing or taking a kayak out on Tobyhanna Lake. Gouldsboro State Park is just west of Tobyhanna State Park, also home to a tranquil lake with a sandy beach for swimming. State Game Lands 127 attracts hunters to its thousands of forested acres and a shooting range for target practice. Trout fishers head to public and private access points along Tobyhanna Creek. Coolbaugh Township Municipal Park is a classic community park, offering a playground, paved walking trails and multiple baseball diamonds for Tobyhanna Little League games. Dozens of Pocono Mountain recreation hubs are within 30 minutes of Coolbaugh, from the ski slopes at Camelback Resort to the indoor waterpark at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.
Forested communities of homes with access to diverse amenities
A thick tree canopy shades single-family homes throughout Coolbaugh, mostly within private developments. These subdivisions often center around shared athletic courts, fishing lakes and playgrounds, but amenities vary widely. “Each community is a little unique. Pocono Farms has its own private golf course, clubhouse and pools. Some buyers like A Pocono Country Place for the gated private security,” Taliaferrow-Mosleh says. Homes designed for woodsy getaways, like A-frames and cabins in classic and contemporary styles, are common. Plenty of other homes are more typical Colonial Revivals and cottages. Small fixer-uppers can go for less than $100,000, and large, updated homes on the water or on an acreage can go for closer to $1 million. Still, Coolbaugh’s median single-family home price is around $300,000, lower than the national median of around $400,000. HOA fees vary by community, ranging from less than $100 to more than $200 monthly. While the township allows short-term rentals in many areas, specific developments may have additional regulations or restrictions.
Attending Pocono Mountain School District
Many students will attend kindergarten through second grade at Clear Run Elementary Center, which earns a B-plus from Niche, followed by third through sixth grades at C-plus-rated Clear Run Intermediate School. Others will attend kindergarten through sixth grade at B-rated Tobyhanna Elementary Center. Pocono Mountain West Junior High School earns a C-plus, and Pocono Mountain West High School earns a B-minus. At West High, students can earn dual enrollment credit through institutions like East Stroudsburg University and Northampton Community College.
Monroe County commuting and taking I-80 to NYC
The Tobyhanna Army Depot is a communication and electronics military base center in Coolbaugh and is one of the largest employers in Monroe County. Interstate 380 offers access to Interstate 80 to the south of the township and a roughly 30-mile drive north to Scranton. Taking state Route 611, it’s a roughly 20-mile drive to the county seat of Stroudsburg and Lehigh Valley Hospital – Pocono in neighboring East Stroudsburg. The Pocono Pony bus stops along Route 611 while traveling between Monroe County hubs, but many residents rely on cars to get around. New York City is about 100 miles down Interstate 80. Barre/Scranton International Airport is around 30 miles from home.
Shopping and dining in Coolbaugh and Mount Pocono
Restaurants and specialty businesses pop up along main roads like 611 throughout Coolbaugh. The Vintage Tavern offers a classic pub menu and a comfortable bar atmosphere. A few pizza shops like Mamma Maria’s are casual spots for dine-in or takeout orders. Locals head just south to the borough of Mount Pocono for groceries beyond what's available at Dollar General. Walmart, Weis Markets and ShopRite are some shopping plaza anchors that line state Route 940. Churches hold services throughout Coolbaugh, including Community Church.
Events through Coolbaugh Township and community groups
Coolbaugh’s parks and recreation department invites kids to wear their costumes and trick-or-treat at the municipal park during the annual Ghoulbaugh event. If the Tobyhanna Millpond freezes during the winter months, the Coolbaugh Township Historical Association brings history buffs together to revitalize the region’s former ice harvesting industry during the Tobyhanna Ice Harvest. Housing developments often hold private social events, including plenty of themed cookouts and sports league games.
Flood risk on the Lehigh River and Tobyhanna Creek
While most of the township is unaffected, some properties and roads near waterways like the Lehigh River and Tobyhanna Creek fall into flood zones after unusually heavy rain. Buyers can check maps to determine their potential risk or need for flood insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
