8 Best Lakeside Towns in The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains region is home to glacier-carved lakes and winding rivers that create some of northeastern Pennsylvania’s most inviting scenery. Hawley stands out for its access to Lake Wallenpaupack and family-friendly attractions like Woodloch Pines Resort and Costa’s Family Fun Park. Jim Thorpe offers a more historic lake-town experience, pairing Mauch Chunk Lake with Victorian streets, the Lehigh River, and outdoor adventures along the D&L Trail. Shohola adds another scenic angle with multiple lakes within town limits, easy fishing access, and the stunning Shohola Falls nearby.
Hawley
Right off the shore of Lake Wallenpaupack (the second largest lake in the Keystone State) in the Poconos Mountains, Hawley is a borough with a population of 1,229. Hawley is the home of Woodlock Pines Resort, an all-inclusive resort that offers golfing, a spa, and much more. The Costa's Family Fun Park is around the corner with water slides, driver ranges, laser tag, and much more for the whole family. Natural beauty and wonder welcome people with open arms with the Promised Land State Park, which has winter cabins for the adventurer, endless hiking trails, tons of forests to explore, and skiing during the winter.
Another family-friendly park in Hawley is Bingham Park, located just opposite The Settlers Inn. During winter, a skating rink is set up on the park's baseball field. The Settler Inn provides fine dining options and can host weddings and gatherings for those wanting a weekend escape from New York City or Philadelphia. Regardless of the season, Hawley is worth visiting to enjoy nature and fresh air.
Jim Thorpe
Nicknamed the "Switzerland of America," Jim Thorpe is a borough with a population of 4,507 and is very close to Mauch Chunk Lake. The borough was originally named Mauch Chunk until 1954, when it was changed to Jim Thorpe, honoring the legendary athlete buried there. Jim Thorpe is filled with natural wonders from the D & L Trail, which goes through the Lehigh River that flows in the borough, and the Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary, where visitors and residents can learn more about butterflies, how to raise them, and when to release them. Fun water activities include hiking to the Glen Onoko Falls and whitewater rafting in the Lehigh River.
Jim Thorpe offers numerous museums and historical sites, such as the Mauch Chunk Museum, Harry Packer Mansion, and Stabin Museum, providing opportunities to learn about the borough. The Harry Packer Mansion, with its Victorian architecture and ivy-covered facade, served as the inspiration for Walt Disney World's "Haunted Mansion."
Poconos Pines
Pocono Pines is a town with Lake Naomi right in the center. Whether you are looking for adventures at the Pinecrest Lake Golf Club or sailing on Lake Naomi, Poconos Pines has you covered. The Lake Naomi Club allows people to take sailboats on Lake Naomi, but motorboats are not allowed to preserve the lake's tranquility. While sailing or canoeing on Lake Naomi, an excellent scenic spot to explore is Comfort Island, which is right on the lake.
In addition to the outdoor activities, Hutton Metalcrafts Inc. has visitors covered with unique custom-made lanterns and wall art to purchase. Additionally, 10 minutes away from Pocono Pines is the Kalahari Indoor Waterpark for anyone looking for family fun while visiting relatives or on a weekend trip away from the major cities.
Summit Hill
Summit Hill is a borough with a population of 2,954, with the Mauch Chunk Lake just east of town. For boating enthusiasts, Mauch Chunk Lake Park has two boat launch areas open all year round for recreational boating and fishing. Beach swimming is permitted from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. Spending the night in Summit Hill shouldn't be an issue with the Lizard Creek Inn and the Inn at Birch Wilds nearby.
A notable landmark to visit is the old Summit Hill High School Building, which served as a high school from 1911 until its closure in 1997, after which it was converted into apartments. Recognized for its historical and architectural significance, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Just east of Mauch Chunk Lake lies the Switchback Railroad Trail, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore the forests of the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania.
The Switchback Railroad trail was also the first railroad in the state, and it can be explored by anyone who wants to see what the historic trail used to be.
Lake Harmony
Lake Harmony is a small, unincorporated community with a population of 718 as of the 2010 United States census. Besides its rolling hills and green forests, it is located on the shores of Lake Harmony, where visitors can practice water skiing and waterboarding, rent kayaks, canoes, and longboards, and partake in lake cruises. Visitors looking to find that perfect lakeside retreat are sure to find much to love in Lake Harmony. A great place to start is The Lodge, with its indoor waterpark, where visitors can enjoy lakeside relaxation in nature without sacrificing amenities. The Kidder Hike and Bike Trail is a young hiking trail that opened to hikers in the fall of 2019. The trail is also excellent for biking and not too far from downtown Lake Harmony.
The Split Rock Golf Club and Jack Frost National Golf Club offer scenic views for anyone seeking fresh air, while Hickory Rock State Park is perfect for adventurous explorers wanting to camp in the wilderness. If skiing and snowboarding can't be enjoyed in New York, the Big Boulder Ski Area in Lake Harmony is a great alternative. Big Boulder features lifts for skiing and snowboarding, lessons, night skiing, and more to keep the winter adventure alive.
Waymart
Waymart is a small borough in the Poconos Mountains with a population of around 1,269. The borough is right next to Lake Ladore and Keen Lake. Waymart has plenty of history to it from the Delaware and Hudson Gravity Railroad Depot Museum, highlighting the town's history with coal and railroads.
Keen Lake, which is next to town, offers camping, rental units, and boat rentals, whether they are rowboats, kayaks, paddleboards, aqua-cycles, or canoes for anyone looking for fun activities in the summertime. Lake Ladore is very similar to Keen Lake. However, there is a summer camp for the kids and a summer retreat for anyone wanting to plan a conference or special events. Waymart also has visitors and residents covered for great food with the Waymart Hotel and Restaurant, which has an incredible pizza menu and will leave visitors and locals wanting more.
Bear Creek Village
Bear Creek Village is a borough with 290 residents. The borough contains Bear Creek Lake, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, sailing, and swimming from its two private beaches. The Historic District attracts visitors with its history dating back to the 1700s, highlighting the town's transition from a lumber and ice company center to its present-day status.
Near Bear Creek Village is the Natural Lands' Bear Creek Preserve, which has wonderful natural trails and wildlife. Not far from Bear Creek Village are Buttermilk Falls, a beautiful waterfall with an incredible rock formation. The best time to visit these exquisite falls is in the spring after the rainy season.
Shohola
Shohola is a small town with a population of around 2,330. It is located on the Pennsylvania—New York State line, and Walker Lake, Shohola Lake (also known as the Shohola Marsh Reservoir), and Twin Lakes are within its boundaries. Shohola Lake has a couple of spots where visitors can fish, while at Walker Lake, residents and visitors can use both non-powered and powered boats.
Shohola's parks, including Rohman Park and Shohola Falls, reflect the area's natural beauty. Rohman Park is a community space in the township, though it does not permit dogs. Shohola Falls is a stunning natural site with trails that typically take around 14 minutes to hike.
Each of these eight Pennsylvania towns has a unique history, natural flavor, and spectacular lakes, which should certainly entice visitors to explore. Venturing to the Poconos Mountains is well worth the trip, regardless of the season—fall, winter, spring, or summer. Regardless of the town's size, there is always an adventure waiting in the Poconos Mountains and their glorious lakes. No matter which lake community you visit, the enticement of the area will have you coming back to explore more of the Poconos Mountains.
