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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQ

FAQ:

  • 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.

  • Palmyra Township Public Beach on Lake Wallenpaupack is open to the public throughout the warmer months.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Relaxing by the Lake

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