Lake Wallenpaupack
One of Pennsylvania's largest reservoirs, stunning Lake Wallenpaupack is 13 miles long with 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline.
Lake Wallenpaupack activities are as far-reaching as its sprawling 5,700 acres and sure to please the whole family. The lake is bordered by the charming small town of Hawley to the north and many more local hubs like Tafton, Paupack, Greentown and Lakeville, all harboring great attractions, restaurants and shops.
About the Big Lake
About the Big Lake:
Explore six public recreation areas on Lake Wallenpaupack featuring hundreds of acres of forest lands, wildlife, walking trails, campsites and boat slips. Outfitters offer kayaks, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skies and boats to help you make the most of your experience. Read our blog for eight Big Lake activities to get you started.
When in the area, stop by the Lake Wallenpaupack Pocono Mountains Visitors Center located on Route 6. Get information and recommendations from our area experts, view the lake through our free spotting scope or even take advantage of the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program.
Live Camera
Live Camera:
See what's happening at Lake Wallenpaupack right now! View more live cameras in the Poconos.
Accommodations
Accommodations:
After a full day of fun on water, you’ll need a place to rest and recharge. Lake Wallenpaupack’s wide array of accommodations ensures you’ll find the perfect place to lay your head. From boutique hotels with impressive in-house dining to cabins and family campgrounds within view of the water, Lake Wallenpaupack is packed with places to stay.
Outdoor Adventure
Outdoor Adventure:
Head to the lake for amazing outdoor adventures all through the year! Catch an unforgettable sunset from the Wallenpaupack Lake Trail, or get out on the water with Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours & Rentals, which runs cruises and offers rentals daily mid-June through Labor Day. Lacawac Sanctuary, encompassing 550 acres on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack, is a great place to explore and learn about local flora and fauna.
Summer sun fuels on-water adventures including swimming, paddleboarding and jet skiing. Palmyra Township Public Beach is open to the public and an ideal spot to enjoy some splash time. Launch your own boat from access areas at Mangan Cove, Caffrey, Ironwood Point, Ledgedale and Wilsonville or rent a vessel at local outfitters like The Boat Shop, Pocono Action Sports at Lighthouse Harbor Marina, Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals and more. There are also plenty of full-service marinas offering sales and services, including 1st Klas Marina and Sterling Marina. Learn more about outdoor adventure throughout the Pocono Mountains.
Wallenpaupack Lake Trail - Hiking
See the sights around beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack! The Wallenpaupack Lake Trail is a gentle…
Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours
Enjoy a leisurely, captained patio boat cruise on beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack! Sit back and relax…
Lacawac Sanctuary - Hiking
Hike and reconnect to nature! Lacawac Sanctuary is a 550-acre nature and environmental education…
Palmyra Township Public Beach on Lake Wallenpaupack
Beautiful, lake beach open to the public during the summer. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor…
The Boat Shop
The Boat Shop on Lake Wallenpaupack provides everything you need for a memorable experience on the…
Pocono Action Sports at Lighthouse Harbor Marina
Ready for a day on the water? Pocono Action Sports at Lighthouse Harbor Marina makes it easy to get…
Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals
Ready to ride on Lake Wallenpaupack? Visit Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals and choose from over 25 boats!…
1st Klas Marina
Rely on 1st Klas Marina to provide you with the products, services and resources needed to make your…
Pine Crest Marina
Pine Crest Marina offers boat sales and have many boats for sale in addition to boat rentals. They…
Sterling Marina
Sterling Marina is a full-service marina located on Lake Wallenpaupack. Their premium boat brands…
Family Fun
Family Fun:
When it comes to family fun, there’s no place like the Big Lake! Outdoor adventures abound, from swimming and boating to hiking and biking. The area’s array of family-friendly attractions ensures you’ll never run out of things to do. All ages will love a visit to Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park or Costa's Family Fun Park, while teens and adults can test their aim and throwing arms at Pocono Axe Works. Take in local history and culture at one of the Wallenpaupack Historical Society's three locations.
Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park
Get close to the animals at the "zoo-in-the-woods" located in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. See…
Costa's Family Fun Park
The perfect place to make memories with family and friends. Located near Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike…
Pocono Axe Works
Visit Pocono Axe Works for date night, family time, fun with friends, stress relief, cardio, or team…
Wallenpaupack Historical Society, Inc.
The mission of the Wallenpaupack Historical Society is "Keeping the history of the Wallenpaupack…
Fun summer events on Lake Wallenpaupack including Fourth of July fireworks and Wally Lake Fest are a blast for all ages. Learn more about family fun throughout the Pocono Mountains.
Shopping
Shopping:
Shop for souvenirs, sailing supplies, sweet treats and more on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack. Browse antiques and artwork at Der Jaeger Unique Arts or bring the lake life back home with you with home decor and apparel from Lake Art or Lake Life Pursuit. Learn more about shopping throughout the Pocono Mountains.
Der Jaeger Unique Arts
Shop a wide selection of antiques, artwork, fine porcelain, collectibles and militaria at this…
Lake Art
Outfitting your Lake Wallenpaupack lifestyle. Lake Art is owned by a local artist who concepts and…
Lake Life Pursuit
Lake Life Pursuit is nestled in the heart of the Lake Wallenpaupack area. This unique boutique…
Dining
Dining:
Whether you'll be docking and dining at The Boat House Restaurant or The Dock on Wallenpaupack or diving into local cuisine at Gresham's Chop House or local hops at Wallenpaupack Brewing Company, there are lots of great restaurants to try in the area. Stop by Gresham's Ice Cream Shoppe for a classic cone to enjoy as you stroll along the shore!
Winter Fun
Winter Fun:
When the weather turns cold, Lake Wallenpaupack transforms into a frozen playground. Get out and enjoy the frosty, fresh air during the annual Wally Ice Fest. Top outdoor activities include ice skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. There's also great skiing, riding and tubing nearby. Learn more about ski and snow activities throughout the Pocono Mountains.
Golf
Golf:
Looking to get in some golf time? Nearby courses like The Country Club at Woodloch Springs to the north and Skytop Lodge Golf Course and Buck Hill Golf Course to the south offer manicured greens. You can also find miniature golf at Costa's Family Fun Park for all ages to enjoy! Learn about golf throughout the Pocono Mountains.
The Country Club at Woodloch Springs
The Country Club at Woodloch Springs is nationally recognized by GOLF Magazine as "one of the finest…
Skytop Lodge Golf Course
Play a round in the spectacular scenery of the Pocono Mountains, on a championship course rated…
Buck Hill Golf Club
Ridgeline silhouettes, relentless undulations and classic subtleties punctuate this 27-hole golf…
Costa's Family Fun Park
Located near Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike County, Pennsylvania, Costa’s Family Fun Park offers…
Fishing Tackle Loaner Program
Fishing Tackle Loaner Program
At our Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center, the public can borrow rods, reels and a tackle box full of hooks and other terminal tackle. Think of it like a library loan; you're just checking out angling gear instead of books! We ask that would-be anglers complete a form, and we do request a copy of your driver's license for our records.
As a partnership between the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association and sponsors, this program is designed to make it easy for anyone to access fishing tackle. New rods and reels were provided by Cabela’s in 2015. Whether you're giving fishing a try for the first time or coming back to a favorite childhood activity, a return to the sport on Lake Wallenpaupack may get you hooked for life. This equipment may also be loaned to groups conducting angler education programs in the community. Note the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 2512 Route 6, Suite 1
- (570) 226-2141
​Whether you're in town for business or pleasure, make your first stop at the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center. For help with…
Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center Virtual Tour
FAQ
FAQ:
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Swimming is a popular activity at Lake Wallenpaupack, and the water is safe and clean for a day of splashing. Lake Wallenpaupack has a maximum depth of 60 feet, so don’t forget a life jacket for inexperienced swimmers in deeper parts of the lake.
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Palmyra Township Public Beach on Lake Wallenpaupack is open to the public throughout the warmer months.
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Lake Wallenpaupack is owned and managed by Brookfield Renewable. The reservoir is a functioning hydroelectric project, but it is also open to the public for recreation. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission owns and operates the Mangan Cove boat access area, where boaters can launch their watercraft for free. Brookfield also operates campgrounds and boat access areas which visitors can use for a fee.
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The Wallenpaupack Lake Trail is a packed gravel path winding three miles along the shores of the Big Lake, a great place to take a stroll next to the water.
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Lake Wallenpaupack was created in 1926 when the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company built a dam on the Wallenpaupack River near the town of Hawley. PP&L purchased and cleared the land in the valley that was to be flooded, including what remained of a village called Wilsonville.
Founded in the late 1830s, Wilsonville was home to a successful lumber mill for several decades, but the population began to dwindle when demand for lumber dropped and the sawmill went out of business in the 1870s. Some of the town’s stone walls and foundations now lie underwater near the Wilsonville Recreation Area. There is a historical marker about Wilsonville outside the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center.
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In April 2016, an Inland Striped Bass weighing 23 lbs, measuring 38 inches in length and 20 inches in girth, was caught in Lake Wallenpaupack by Tom Williams from Bethlehem. It was the second largest Inland Striped Bass caught in Pennsylvania that year.
8 Activities to Do around Lake Wallenpaupack
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Relaxing by the Lake
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