This is a milestone year for Lake Wallenpaupack — its 100th anniversary. And now, there’s a new way to experience the lake during this centennial season.

A 30-passenger tiki boat is now offering public cruises, departing from Silver Birches. Guests can grab food and drinks before boarding and head out for a fun and relaxing time on the water.

You don’t need your own boat to enjoy Lake Wallenpaupack this summer. Pocono Action Sports operates these daily tiki charters, giving locals and visitors multiple ways to get out on the lake.

“We’ve got swim cruises, some trivia cruises and sunset cruises,” said Sam Sopko of Pocono Action Sports. “We also have an adult-only party Cove cruise. It’s four hours to head down there to Party Cove. They are definitely a lot more affordable than renting out an entire boat.”

We boarded the tiki boat early in the season, and one of the highlights — beyond the cruise itself — is the ability to order food and drinks directly from TJ’s Lakeside Bar and Grill before setting out.

“This is the only place along this beautiful coastline where you can step off your boat, grab your food and beverage, and step right back on,” said Eric Noone of Silver Birches. “You’re not crossing the street. You don’t have to change clothes. Come as you are and go out and party.”

Booking is simple and flexible.

“Anybody staying here can pre-book with the front desk,” Sopko explained. “You can also walk up and book, or reserve online. We always have a staff member ready to help you get on board.”

Once you’re out on the water, it’s all about relaxing. Let the captain handle the navigation while you enjoy a three-hour tour — take in the scenery, catch a sunset, or hop in for a swim — all while celebrating 100 years of one of Pennsylvania’s largest man-made lakes.

“What a partnership — the tiki boats running every day, TJ’s Bar and Grill open daily, and the dock restaurant serving food seven days a week,” Noone said. “There’s nothing like celebrating 100 years of Lake Wallenpaupack right here.”

And there are more than 100 ways to experience lake life during the centennial year.

Annual Fourth of July fireworks continue to light up the lake. Wally Lake Fest returns the last weekend in August. And in 2026, a major centennial celebration is planned for late July.

Beyond events, there’s fishing, hiking trails like Shuman’s Point, swimming at the Palmyra Township Public Beach — and now, a new book that captures the lake’s history.

“I think there are people who come up and don’t even know it’s a man-made lake,” said Karen Kresge, a graphic designer involved in the project. “To see what it looked like before, and how it changed the landscape — from wildlife to people — is really powerful. From Party Cove to the historical society, all kinds of people and animals live here together.”

Kresge and Nan Brown, along with members of the Wallenpaupack Historical Society, helped produce a limited run of 500 books to mark the centennial.

The book explores the era before the hydroelectric dam, the massive effort to create a lake with 52 miles of shoreline, and how the region has evolved.

“There is a lot of history in the book,” said Nan Brown. “But it’s not just for history lovers. We cover lake life from the 1920s through today — fireworks, boat races, campfires, families coming here year after year. It’s a huge part of life for thousands of people. We even include wildlife, like the eagles nesting on the island.”

Titled Lake Wallenpaupack Centennial Anniversary 1926–2026: An Illustrated History, the book is designed to preserve the lake’s legacy.

“The people who visit — whether for a weekend or all summer — never forget it,” Kresge added. “It becomes part of them. And it’s fascinating to hear from families who have lived here for generations, going all the way back to the first settlers.”

“When the lake was first created in the 1920s, it didn’t immediately change the economy,” Brown explained. “It wasn’t fully open for a couple of years. But after World War II, in the late 1940s and early 1950s, it really began to boom — and it completely transformed the area.”

Today, even at 100 years old, Lake Wallenpaupack continues to create memories, support the local economy, and provide a home for both families and wildlife.