Everything you need for your stay, all in one place.
126 Mountain View Drive, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 — Bear Creek Lakes Community, off Route 903 via Behrens Road.
When you turn onto Cottonwood from Behrens, take a left at the first stop sign — PoconoJo's will be on your right, just after the speed bump.
Your door code is sent separately ahead of your stay.
To Unlock (from outside): Pull and hold the door handle toward you → tap the keypad to wake it → enter your door code → press the bottom-right shield icon.
To Lock (from outside): Pull the handle down tightly toward you → press and hold the lock/cancel button.
Outdoor security cameras are located at each doorbell and on the driveway.
Each floor of the chalet has its own thermostat with central heat and air, so every level can be set to its own comfortable temperature. Adjust to your comfort using only HEAT or COOL mode. Please avoid EMHEAT (emergency mode) — press MODE repeatedly until you land on HEAT, COOL, or OFF.
Cold Weather Months: During very cold stretches, the house may heat unevenly — each floor has its own thermostat, so a few small steps keep everyone comfortable.
Ground Floor: Keep entry doors shut and locked. The space heater is for the Game Room only (never the bedroom) — set its timer so it shuts off automatically, and never leave it running while you're away.
Main Floor: If using the fireplace, turn on the fan too (switch by the bookshelf, white remote) and run it no more than 2 hours at a time, with a 30-minute cooldown between uses. Light switch near the TV turns the fireplace on/off — no flame adjustment, and it's just as cozy to skip it altogether.
Top Floor: This level warms quickly — cracking the window is more efficient than using the A/C in the winter.
Warm Weather Months: The dehumidifier helps keep things comfortable when it's sticky out. No obligation to empty it during your stay — if it starts feeling stickier than you'd like, feel free to dump the water in the sink or out on the grass.
Safety rules and the liability waiver are covered during registration — this is the step-by-step for actually using the tub.
🔓 Hot Tub Cover: Do not sit on the hot tub cover. Unclip the two straps on the front side, fold the cover back toward the rear of the tub, then fold the easy-lift cover back.
🌡️ Water Temperature: Check the temperature on the control panel — 100°F is recommended. Long-press up or down to adjust. The panel reads upside down, so the higher number is actually the "down" direction. The temperature is generally left lower between stays, so give it a bit of time to climb once you adjust it up.
▶️ Operating the Tub: Pump 1 activates jets on one side. Pump 2 activates both sides. The Lights button toggles the tub lights on and off.
✅ Wrapping Up After Use: Turn off jets and lights from the control panel. Make sure nothing is left in the water or on the edges. Secure the cover to retain heat and keep the water clean — and don't forget to clip the two front straps.
You'll find plenty of plasticware and a small tote on the bar cart — hydration in the hot tub is great, but no one wants broken glass in there.
Click here to watch a video on the hot tub plasticware and the lid assist handle.
Don't be shy about asking — there's a lot packed into this guide, but here's the little version: BPA-free kids' plasticware is in the cabinet underneath the coffee maker. A highchair, baby gates, and a pack-n-play are all available — most of it in the Game Room closet, with a few extras in the utility garage.
We hope your stay delivers everything you want and need it to be. If something isn't right or anything comes up, reach out anytime.
Warmly, Mandy — 773.447.7231
Texts are usually easiest, but you're always welcome to call too.
We work intentionally to avoid encouraging larger groups than our home — or our ordinances and permits — can comfortably accommodate. But if your approved party needs a bit more room, these exist. Just let us know before arrival if you'd like bedding set up — by request, we'll have beds made before you arrive, or leave bedding for you to make up as needed.
Kitchen switches control the patio lights and fans. Flip the switch up for recessed lights. For fan lights, keep the switch up and use the remote — left in its holder — to adjust speed and light.
We aim to keep some gas in the tank to get you started. Turn the handle on top of the tank to switch the grill on or off. After grilling, please turn off the gas, clean the grill, and cover it — uncleaned grills tend to attract curious wildlife.
If you use the whole tank, a few spots along Route 903 will exchange it for you. Bring the empty tank from the chalet for a discount — summer demand runs high, so it's best to call ahead:
- Julio's Pizza — 995 State Rt 903 · 570.732.4320
- Jim Thorpe Market — East off Route 903, 1 River Street · 570.325.5920
Make sure the fire is fully out before leaving, and place the lid over the pit. Once cool, use the shovel to move ash into the metal bucket, then leave the shovel in the pit and replace the lid and cover.
Running low on logs? Dollar General and other stops along Route 903 sell firewood.
In cooler months, we leave cozy outdoor blankets just for you. The cushioned furniture has covers — pop them on if weather turns, and clip the cover ends between the legs since it can get blustery up here. If cushions end up wet or dewy, extra towels in the laundry room are there to dry them off.
Corn hole bags live in the bin with the outdoor blankets.
High-speed WiFi, a desk, a chair, and a printer are available in the top NW bedroom. The printer's there for a few quick pages — for big color print jobs, please leave a replacement ink cartridge, or consider the FedEx Print Shop in Allentown.
Netflix, Hulu, Prime, YouTube TV — log into your own apps on the Smart TVs throughout the chalet, and please log back out before you leave.
Connect your phone to WiFi and link up to the SONOS speakers placed throughout the chalet. SONOS app users can select multiple speakers at once.
One on each floor: on the wall in the garage, in the kitchen under the sink, and under the sink in the top floor bedroom without a bathtub.
Located in the powder room, main floor, in the vanity.
The first aid kit is kept closed, but the cabinet itself is unlocked — please relocate it if you have little ones who may get into it unsupervised. These items are provided for quick response to minor needs; it's up to each guest to use them as directed.
Bear Creek Lakes Community
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
Bear Creek Lakes Community
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
We love most of our neighbors, but they do not love outdoor lights left on. Unfortunately, flipping every switch down isn't quite enough — many lights run on multiple switches throughout the chalet. To get everything off: flip ALL switches DOWN, except the nine marked with a PoconoJo's sticker — those should stay up. (We settle who gets stuck with this job via rock-paper-scissors.)
Common area lamps run on automated Wyze light bulbs — please leave those switches on. If left on, they are set to come on before sunset and turn off a few hours later.
Available Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
Your stay includes ten (10) badges and two (2) parking passes, each fitted with an Apple AirTag for tracking. Badges attach to adjustable bracelets. (Despite our best efforts, the HOA won't budge past 10 badges — and they check them often.)
Wearing badges: required at all community amenities, regardless of age. Parking passes: must be displayed in your vehicle. Returns: please leave all badges, passes, and AirTags in good condition — fees apply for anything missing or damaged: $100/badge or pass, $50/AirTag.
Lost something? Text Mandy at 773.447.7231 — she can ping the AirTag remotely to help you locate it.
Community Pool — open 12pm–7pm, weather permitting, 57 Pool Drive (6 min drive). Tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts — open dawn to dusk, same address. Playground, bocce, shuffleboard, and horseshoes — open dawn to 10pm.
North & South Lake Beaches and the Boat Docks are all along Bear Creek Lake Drive, 8–9 minutes away. There's also a beach about a mile from the chalet within the Bear Creek Lakes community itself.
For current hours: tinyurl.com/BCLtimes or bclca.org/calendar-of-events. Full HOA rules: tinyurl.com/BCLJTPArules.
Pool is open only when a lifeguard is on duty; lifeguards have full authority over safety, conduct, and closures. No rafts, scuba, or snorkel gear in the pool. No animals at the pool, beach, or picnic areas (service animals excepted). No fires or grills inside the pool's fenced area. Children under 12 need supervision by someone 15 or older at the pool or beaches. No fishing from beach areas. No glass containers at the pool or beaches. No smoking or vaping in the pool area or on the sand.
Courts run on one-hour blocks if others are waiting. Appropriate footwear required on all courts.
Fishing requires a current PA fishing license and BCLCA badge. Daily limit is 4 fish per person; only worms, nymphs, larvae, and pupae are permitted as live bait.
This is the one we're hoping you'll sing. Record it for IG, and give @poconojos permission to use it and you'll earn any one piece of merch from the merch closet for your crew.
Feel the pull as the stars alight
In the foothills of the Poconos, where the mountains climb
There's a town that's waiting — frozen in time
The Lehigh River winds through these hills
Echoes of railroads and carbon thrills
Victorian charm lines every street
In Jim Thorpe the old and new worlds meet
Mauch Chunk Lake with a peaceful shore
Hike the trails and discover more
From autumn leaves to winter snow
In every season there are reasons to go
Rooted in coal; that's how the town begins
Storied in gold; renamed for a champion's wins
Endless explorations; Jim Thorpe, PA — adventure all the time
Feel the mountain air so crisp and clean
Jim Thorpe folks callin' down Race Street you can stroll
Old time charm with a vibrant soul
Oh, in every trail in every climb
When you make all those turns you magically unwind
Built on pride and mountain air
The town of Jim Thorpe with endless explorations everywhere
Where history and nature live side by side
Pack your bags; the adventure starts
Jim Thorpe, PA — it'll steal your heart
Fun, functional souvenirs at a great price — available in limited quantities in the game room closet or on the bottom shelf in the great room. It runs on the honor system.
Pick your favorite piece(s), then Venmo the QR code, or ApplePay / Zelle Mandy at 773.447.7231.
Every one of these exists because something happened first. May they be amusing but not repeated.
The best weeks don't stay available for long. If you'd like to make this an annual tradition, Book Direct within 48 hours of checkout, and enjoy our Returning Guest Rate — lower than our already lowest published rates with code NEXTYEAR.