Palmyra Township balances access to Lake Wallenpaupack and Hawley
Palmyra Township takes a piece of the rolling Pocono Region landscape and molds it into a tranquil place to live near an array of attractions. This area of Wayne County is adjacent to the borough of Hawley, home to an eclectic mix of restaurants and mom-and-pop shops. It’s also just north of lengthy Lake Wallenpaupack, one of the largest lakes in Pennsylvania. Properties within the township offer quiet spots to escape to, with roomy lawns and diverse architecture.
Large-lot living with homes dating from the 1800s to recent times
The community is full of curving country roads lined with homes built from the mid-1800s through the 2010s. Buyers can find everything from farmhouse-style options to ranch- and New Traditional-style homes, and sale prices range from the mid-$100,000s to the upper $400,000s. All homes here feature grassy yards, and lots that often stretch at least an acre. Due to the rural nature of the township, houses rely on private septic systems. HOAs aren’t particularly common, but properties that are part of them have association fees that are typically less than $60 per month. Homeowners can submit an application to the township to have their properties used as short-term rentals, if they choose, for people coming to the area to visit attractions like Lake Wallenpaupack.
Outdoor lovers can enjoy lake activities and hiking
Proximity to Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the highlights of this area. The 5,700 behemoth sits just south of Palmyra Township’s homes; residents are particularly close to spots on the lake like Mangan Cove, which has a fishing pier and a boat launch. “Boating on the lake is a lot of fun,” says local Realtor Vernon Waltz, who’s at Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors and has almost 20 years of industry experience. “If you were to go out there during the week, it’s very quiet. Of course, the weekend’s very busy, because everybody comes up for the weekend.” Waltz describes fishing on the lake as “amazing,” with species including bass, catfish and trout up for grabs.
The Palmyra Township Public Beach is also nearby, the lone public beach on the lake’s 52-mile shore and a place where you can go swimming. The Shuman Point Natural Area offers nearly 4 miles of hiking by the lake. You can also stay within the township to visit Delaware & Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31, where you can hike along a portion of the Lackawaxen River. Bingham Park in the Hawley borough features a playground for the kids.
From lakefront meals to small-town shops, there’s lots to explore
The Lake Wallenpaupack and Hawley areas have plenty of restaurants for hungry locals. The options include:
- Gresham's Chop House, a steakhouse overlooking Lake Wallenpaupack
- Wally's Restaurant & Pizzeria, a place to stop for breakfast or pick up a quick pizza, just down the road from Gresham’s
- The Ridge, an Italian restaurant that’s part of The Hotel Belvidere in Hawley and counts a risotto dish and fire-grilled Margherita pizzas among its signature items
- Cora's 1850 Bistro, a spot located just off the Lackawaxen River that’s known for its wings and prime rib
Hawley is also home to businesses like Housefly, a fly-fishing equipment store, and WeJo Arts at The Grains, a bookstore with new and used novels. “It’s a small-town flavor with a lot of small-town shops and specialty shops and such. There’s a lot of that to look at,” Waltz says. There’s an IGA off U.S. Route 6 in the township for groceries.
Four nearby schools cover kindergarten through high school
The highly rated Wallenpaupack Area School District serves students in this area. Four of the district’s five schools are clustered together just outside Palmyra Township, covering kindergarten through 12th grade. The list includes Wallenpaupack North Primary School for kindergarten through second grade, Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School for grades 3 through 5, Wallenpaupack Area Middle School for grades 6 through 8 and Wallenpaupack Area High School for grades 9 to 12.
Route 590 helps connect locals to Scranton’s jobs and key amenities
Pennsylvania state Route 590 cuts through Palmyra Township and helps commuters make the roughly 35-mile trip to Scranton, the largest city in northeast Pennsylvania. Highlights of the Scranton area include:
- Almost 275,000 jobs
- Geisinger Community Medical Center, where there’s a 24-hour emergency room
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, which offers direct flights to cities like Chicago, Myrtle Beach and Orlando
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
