Lake Wallenpaupack Shoreline Trail and Beach

Before the dam, this valley held a small settlement called Wilsonville, founded in the late 1830s around a busy lumber mill. For a few decades it thrived, but when the demand for lumber fell off and the sawmill closed in the 1870s, the town slowly emptied. By the time the power company arrived in the 1920s to buy and clear the valley, only remnants were left.

When the gates of the new dam closed in 1926 and the water rose, whatever remained of Wilsonville disappeared beneath the lake. Old stone walls and foundations are said to rest on the bottom near what is now the Wilsonville Recreation Area, a submerged reminder that this beautiful lake is also a kind of memorial to a vanished town. It is the sort of local legend that makes a swim or a paddle here feel a little more haunted, in the best way.

The name itself is older still. Wallenpaupack comes from the Lenape people, and has been translated as deep, dark, or slow-moving water, a fitting name for a lake this large and still.

The Wallenpaupack shoreline trail is a friendly, packed-gravel path that runs roughly three miles along the water. It is nearly level and easy for almost anyone, a place for a morning stroll, a run, or a slow walk with kids, and the lake stays in view the whole way. In the cooler months it is a quiet, uncrowded ramble; in summer it is a lively part of a very active lake scene.

For swimming, the lake's public beach near Hawley offers a genuine stretch of soft sand with gentle water and lifeguards on duty through the summer season, which is a treat, since many mountain lakes have only rocky or private access. Spread a towel, wade in, and let the kids splash while the boats drift by out on the big water.

Around the lake, six public recreation areas run by the power company, with names like Ironwood Point, Ledgedale, and Wilsonville, add hundreds of acres of forest, more walking trails, boat launches, fishing piers, and picnic spots, so there is always another cove to explore.

Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the best places in the Poconos to see bald eagles, which have made a remarkable comeback and now nest around the shoreline and on the lake's islands. Ospreys, herons, and other water birds work the coves, and quiet early mornings on the trail or the water are the best time to spot them. The lake is a favorite with anglers too, known for its bass, walleye, and trout.

The whole scene ties back to the little town of Hawley just to the north, a walkable Victorian village of brick and stone that grew up as a canal and railroad hub and now anchors the lake with places to eat, shop, and stay. Between the town, the trail, the beach, and the ring of recreation areas, Lake Wallenpaupack rewards both a quick stop and a whole lazy day by the water.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the largest lakes in Pennsylvania, a big, scenic reservoir in the Pocono Mountains near the town of Hawley. A hugely popular vacation and recreation destination, it offers public beaches, extensive boating, and a long, forested shoreline trail with lovely lake views. Ringed by marinas, beaches, and resort communities, it is a summer playground for swimming, boating, and fishing, and a beautiful spot for hiking and taking in Pocono sunsets over the water.

The lake is made for water recreation, including swimming at public beaches, boating, sailing, jet-skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, with marinas and rentals around the shore. On land, the scenic shoreline trail offers many miles of forested hiking and biking with lake views. Whether you want an active day on the water or a peaceful walk along the shore, the lake's size and amenities provide plenty of options for families and outdoor lovers alike.

With sensible precautions, yes. Swim at the designated or guarded public beaches and keep an eye on children, since it is a large lake. When boating or paddling, always wear a life jacket, watch for boat traffic and changing wind and weather, which can create rough water on such a big lake, and stay aware of your distance from shore. The water is cool early in the season, so ease in, and follow posted beach and boating rules.

Summer is prime for swimming, boating, and enjoying the beaches, while fall brings beautiful foliage to the shoreline trail and the surrounding Pocono hills, making it lovely for hiking. Spring and fall are quieter and pleasant for walking and fishing. Summer weekends are busiest on this popular lake, so arriving early helps with parking and beach spots, and sunset over the water is a highlight in any warm-weather season.

The lake sits in the Pocono Mountains near Hawley, close to Promised Land State Park, the vast Delaware State Forest, and other Pocono attractions like Bushkill Falls, along with the resort towns and outdoor recreation the region is known for. The scenic Delaware River country lies to the east. That central Pocono location makes Lake Wallenpaupack an excellent hub for a summer lake getaway with plenty more to explore nearby.