Activities to Do around Lake Wallenpaupack & Wally 100 Celebrations

Wally 100, Wally Lake Fest & More Events

Commemorate Lake Wallenpaupack's centennial with the local community throughout the summer! Silver Birches Resort will be hosting a Wally 100 Kick Off Celebration Memorial Day Weekend on Sunday, May 24, 2026 as well as a July 4th Celebration and a Wally 100 Birthday Bash on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Watch the Fireworks Over Lake Wallenpaupack on July 4 or enjoy the Hawley America 250 4th of July Parade and Picnic. Save the date for the main Lake Wallenpaupack Centennial Celebration happening July 24-25, 2026! This weekend bash will celebrate the past, present, and fututre of the Big Lake. Get ready for a boat parade, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and more.

There are so many great events near Lake Wallenpaupack! Check out the annual Wally Wine Fest at Silver Birches Resort, happening June 5-7, 2026, and sip fine wines by the lakeshore. Head to the Arts & Crafts Fair in Hawley's Bingham Park on June 13 and September 12 to discover handmade treasures from a wide variety of vendors. Happening on September 6, the Hawley Silk Mill Fiber Festival will celebrate the heritage craftsmanship of the area.

Scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 28-30, 2026, Wally Lake Fest epitomizes summer on Lake Wallenpaupack. This annual event is a celebration highlighting everything that is great about the season. Enjoy lake-based activities, boating demos, and watersports, as well as land-based fun including live music performances and open-air markets. There are also plenty of tasty eats at Wally Fest, from BBQ to farm-to-table cuisine.

Listen to live music in the middle of nature this summer! There are two beautiful outdoor venues near Lake Wallenpaupack that bring great acts to the area. Check out the lineup at Harmony in the Woods in Hawley and the Wildflower Concert Series in White Mills. Take a drive up to Honesdale to listen to free concerts in the park during the Wayne County Creative Arts Council Summer Concert Series.

Mark the seasons with events in the small town of Hawley like the Hawley Harvest Hoedown in the fall and Hawley Winterfest during the holiday season. When the water freezes in the depths of winter, don't miss Wally Ice Fest!

Spend a Lake Day on the Water

Whatever summer splash activities are on your dream lake day list, you're sure to find them at Lake Wallenpaupack. Pack a picnic and head for the family-friendly Palmyra Township Public Beach to spend some time swimming and soaking up the sun along the sandy shoreline.

Rather get out in a boat? Paddle the lake in a canoe or kayak or give stand-up paddleboarding a try. The serene coves of Lake Wallenpaupack are ideal for first-time paddleboarders and kid-friendly kayaking trips. With so much acreage to explore, Lake Wallenpaupack has plenty to offer seasoned paddlers as well. Find public launch points at Mangan Cove or pay a small fee at the access areas at Caffrey, Ironwood Point, Ledgedale and Wilsonville.

Local outfitters providing boat rentals, sales and scenic tours are conveniently dotted all along Lake Wallenpaupack's shores. Choose your vessel and take a trip with The Boat Shop in Tafton or Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals in Hawley. From family-friendly patio and pontoon boats to fishing boats to jet skis and high-speed boats perfect for water skiing, you'll find a wide variety of watercraft to captain for the day.

Pocono Action Sports at Lighthouse Harbor Marina in Greentown offers sports car jet boats and BYOB, fully-captained tiki boat charters. Rather let someone else take the wheel? Step aboard a leisurely tour with Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours.

Hit the Hiking Trails

Don't feel like getting wet? Explore one of the area’s scenic hiking trails! Stay in sight of the water on the Wallenpaupack Lake Trail, accessible from the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center. Do you love geocaching on your hikes? Whether you're new to the outdoor treasure-hunting activity or you're an old pro, be sure to check out the brand new geocache at the Big Lake! The lake trail traces the shore for about three miles before merging with the half-mile Wallenpaupack Creek Trail. If you're in the mood for a challenge, continue from the Wallenpaupack Creek Trail to the Gorge Trail, a 1.6-mile trek over rough terrain connecting to Hawley.

For a longer expedtion, head to Lacawac Sanctuary, home to 550 acres of diverse habitats with nine miles of hiking trails. About 20 minutes north of Lake Wallenpaupack, the peaceful Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary extends across 600 acres with five miles of nature trails.

Promised Land State Park, about eight miles from the Big Lake, is perched on the Pocono Plateau and features nearly 50 miles of paths to wander and two lakes of its own. Hikers can also branch into the extensive trail system in adjacent Delaware State Forest, another one of the great state parks in the Poconos.

Drop a Fishing Line

Lake Wallenpaupack is known to harbor exceptionally hefty smallmouth bass, but there are plenty of other types of fish lurking beneath the surface including largemouth bass, yellow perch and channel catfish. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks the lake with walleye, striped bass, and brown trout. If you're introducing your youngsters to fishing for the first time, Lake Wallenpaupack is the perfect place to go. Don't forget that a valid fishing license is required for anglers 16 years old and up. Short-term tourist permits are available for visitors and can be purchased online. Stop by the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center to take advantage of the free Fishing Tackle Loaner Program.

Explore the Region's Rich History

From the first Native American inhabitants to the early Dutch and English settlers of the 17th century, from the industrialists of the 1850s to the honeymooners of the 1950s, the area surrounding Lake Wallenpaupack has a rich past, and there are many local museums that bring the Poconos past alive for present-day visitors. Sign up for the free mobile Pocono History & Art Trail passport to see how many historic sites you can check off the list during your visit!

With displays in three different locations, the Wallenpaupack Historical Society preserves the history and heritage of the lake and the region. The Wayne County Historical Society has its home base in Honesdale, where the showpiece of the main museum is a reproduction of the Stourbridge Lion which once ran on nearby tracks, the first commercial locomotive operated in the United States. Just north of Hawley, the 16-acre Delaware and Hudson Canal Park showcases the 108-mile engineering marvel that was used in the nineteenth century to transport coal from Pennsylvania to New York, with historical structures to explore like Daniels Farmhouse and Canal Lock 31.

The historic Hawley Silk Mill was built in 1880 and has been re-imagined several times over the years. Today, you can trace the building's past as you browse boutiques and art galleries as well as the cozy Cocoon Coffeehouse & Bakery, located in the building that used to house the cocoons which produced the silk fibers.

In White Mills, the Dorflinger Glass Museum highlights another area industry and exhibits the beautiful cut crystal fashioned by the Dorflinger Factory from 1852 until 1921.

Grab a Bite to Eat

When you're starting to feel hungry, there's no need to worry. You'll find different restaurants near Hawley and eateries close to the Big Lake all over the map, many offering panoramic views along with delicious dishes.

The Dock on Wallenpaupack was a bustling roadhouse in the 1940s; more than a half-century later, the space is a full-service waterfront restaurant with both indoor seating and deck dining. Part of Silver Birches Resort, a historic property which has graced the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack for nearly a century, the Dock offers everything from surf and turf to brick oven pizza. Just down the road, Gresham’s Chop House features both indoor and outdoor dining, and a menu loaded with steaks, seafood and traditional Italian fare.

Eager to sample regional craft beer? Head to the Wallenpaupack Brewing Company. This trendy brewery pours everything from stouts to specialty sours and serves tasty bites to munch like burgers and cheesesteaks. For a fine dining experience to remember, book a meal at Glass - Wine. Bar. Kitchen right next to Paupack Falls or experience the arts and crafts atmosphere of The Setttlers Inn.

Go Treasure Hunting & Shopping

Take a break from the heat and duck out of the sun and into local shops! You'll find hidden gems in abundance in nearby Hawley shops, boutiques and antique stores. Start at the nonprofit Wayne Pike Sullivan Antique Dealers Association, which has been fostering an appreciation of antiquities and art for over 50 years, regularly hosting antique shows and sales. Pieces of the Past features seasonal decor, vintage toys and tons of hand-picked antiques.

Located in Lake Ariel, Der Jaeger Unique Arts offers not only antiques and WWII memorabilia but also fine art and porcelain, while Across the Tracks Antiques and More in Honesdale is filled with vintage, collectible, and homemade items.

For over ten years, Lake Art has offered unique home decor, apparel and gifts perfect for finding souvenirs to take that lake vibe home with you. Got a sweet tooth? Penny Lane Candies & Candles in Hawley is teeming with delectable goodies. The boutique also stocks a wide array of candles and other gifts, including toys, cards and award-winning hot sauces.

Find Fun Indoor Things to Do

While classic outdoor activities are a must, there are also lots of fun, out-of-the-box indoor activities near Lake Wallenpaupack to enjoy on a rainy day. Never tried axe throwing? Now's your chance! Pocono Axe Works is a great place for some friendly competition for guests 14 and older.

Another great spot for indoor activities near Lake Wallenpaupack, The Wake Zone Indoor Golf and Tap Room offers simulators for practicing your golf swing as well as playing other fun virtual sports.

Visitors at Costa's Family Fun Park can enjoy indoor laser tag as well as virtual reality mini games in addition to many outdoor activities like bumper boats and mini golf.

Love the theater? Beat the weather and get tickets to see a show at the Ritz Company Playhouse. There are so many great attractions in the Hawley area.

Plan Your Lake Wallenpaupack Getaway

Is it time to head to the lake yet? These activities are just the beginning. Venture to the surrounding area and nearby towns like Honesdale and Hawley. Find places to visit and things to do near Lake Ariel, just to the northwest of Lake Wallenpaupack, like Claws 'N' Paws Animal Park and Lacawac Sanctuary. Find great accommodations and dining near Lake Wallenpaupack and even more ideas for summer fun in our area as you start planning your getaway!

Photos of Lake Wallenpaupack

Tag #PoconoMtns or @PoconoTourism on Instagram to have your adventures featured on our page.