About Us

Welcome to RAINBOW MOUNTAIN RESORT in the Pocono Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania.  We are a gay-owned and operated resort, restaurant and nightclub that has been serving the gay, lesbian and transgender communities since 1981.  Nestled high atop a mountainside on 26 private acres, including a 2 acre pond, we boast a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. Welcoming both men and women, we are open year round with our friendly and helpful staff ready to serve you. On-site amenities include an Olympic size swimming pool and sundeck; a year-round, 10-person hot tub with an adjacent, heated changing room - open 24 hours-a-day; an exercise facility; a sauna; tennis, volleyball, badminton and shuffleboard courts; a hill for snow sledding and tubing; and our pond with paddle boats, fishing, and ice skating.

HOT TUB AND SAUNA ARE ALWAYS OPEN!

We are near many warm weather activities such as boating, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, water skiing, golfing and water parks (both outside and indoor). In the winter, there is snow skiing (downhill and cross country), snow boarding, tubing, and snowmobiling. All year long there is great hiking, horseback riding, antiquing, outlet and flea market shopping, and gambling. Browse these pages for awhile and get acquainted.
Call 570-223-8484 today to book your room, and join the party!

A Little History

Amanda hasn't been around all that long (one cannot profess youth and history), so some of this is second (or more)-hand information.

The earliest documentation Amanda has found is a guest sign-in book dated July 3rd, 1913, when we were known as the North View House (presumably, because of the spectacular view to our north). It was also an operational farm (our nightclub doesn't look like a barn for nothing - it was the barn!).

We operated as Sky Hi Lodge through the 50s, 60s and 70s. Our Cherry House, cabins, and the pool have been around the entire time (in fact, there was a second Cherry House - behind the one remaining - that burned down). The Deluxe rooms were added in the 60s.

Like most small resorts in the Poconos, the hey-day was the 50s and 60s - as folks escaped the big cities for the cool country air. Air conditioning and affordable air travel led to a decline in the industry. In fact, Sky Hi Lodge had ceased operation by the late 70s.

Laura Irish and Georgeann Moses were vacationing in the Poconos and, sitting on a porch, soaking in the beauty of nature, thought aloud that the area would be a wonderful place for a gay and lesbian getaway. That very same weekend, they went driving around the area and came upon what was to become Rainbow Mountain Resort.

Laura and Georgeann opened Rainbow Mountain Resort in 1981. Over the years, they made countless improvements to turn the seasonal facility into the year-round getaway it is today.

Amanda will be combing the files for older pictures and documents to share; but, next time you're here, set for a spell in the Lobby and travel back in time to the early days of Rainbow Mountain compliments of a bevy of scrapbooks.

Take this link to see a video of
Don and Ann's 1957 wedding at Sky Hi Lodge.

---

We are deeply indebted to Dr. Bob from Mount Sidney in Virginia. He was but a wee tyke when he and his family vacationed here between 1943 and 1950, when it was known as Frederick's North View Farm and Lake House. The photos that follow were taken between 1943 and 1948. During one of those visits, Dr. Bob's dad helped put the first coat of pain on the inside of the pool, so that its use could be expedited.

A view of the pool looking toward the northeast.
A view of the pool looking toward the northwest.

Similar view, but from the Patio.

Looking west toward the pond and barn.

Same view, a little closer.

Next sunny day, Amanda will strap on her hiking pumps and try and duplicate the views with current photos.

---

Improvements

2009

It was been a rough year for improvements, and not just because of the economy. The weather from May on was incredibly wet, which translated into less days to accomplish outdoor tasks and, when it is nice, more grass to mow (we were still cutting grass weekly in August!).

Explanations (excuses) aside, we paved the steps to the Sauna/Exercise Room and Melz, the walkway from the breezeway and the steps to the Nightclub (next to the Pool), and repaved the walkway from the Patio to the Pool. We will miss the flagstone look, but - all in all - we believe the walkways are safer.

2008

Cherry House crawl space has been encapsulated to keep the humidity below 50%; thereby eliminating dampness.

Hot water capacity in Cherry House has been doubled and divided into zones, so you'll get more hot water - faster

Paving: Deluxe and Nightclub parking lots, off-street lots above and below Cherry House, lot behind Cherry House, the first 100 feet of both Cabin driveways (so the rain won't wash them out anymore).

The Exercise Room is now secured and access limited to registered guests.

Melz Place (the Woodshed next to the Sauna) is now open for your late night enjoyment.

Keyless security locks on external doors in Lodge and Cherry House.

Improved walkways: entrance to Lobby, steps to Sauna and Melz Place, back entrance to Cherry House; and new railings on steps from Lodge parking lot, entrance to Lobby and stairs alongside Pool.