Lackawaxen PA sits at the exact point where the Delaware River and the Lackawaxen River meet. The name comes from the Lenape word usually translated as “swift waters,” after the river that runs about twelve miles through the township. It is a fitting name for a place defined by rivers, wildlife, and a great deal of forest.
People hunted, fished, and traded along these banks long before the first permanent European settlers arrived around 1770. The history runs deep, and the landscape still shows it.
Today Lackawaxen is a mix of scenic seclusion, real history, outdoor recreation, and small-town life at genuine small-town scale. Some people know it as home to Masthope Mountain Community and Ski Big Bear. Others know it for riverfront cottages, rugged terrain, and an unhurried Pike County personality.
Whether you come to fish, kayak, ski, watch bald eagles, bike the Towpath Road, ride the scenic train from Honesdale, or just sit outside and count stars, Lackawaxen has a way of quietly winning people over.
A Walk Through Lackawaxen’s History
In the 1800s, Lackawaxen was anything but sleepy. The area ran on logging, Pennsylvania bluestone quarrying, D&H Canal traffic, and the railroad, all of which tied Wayne and Pike Counties into wider trade routes.
The best-known landmark is the Roebling Bridge. Built in 1848 by John A. Roebling (yes, the engineer who later designed the Brooklyn Bridge), the Roebling Delaware Aqueduct is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark. It is the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the United States.
A short walk away is the Zane Grey Museum, now part of the National Park Service. The Western novelist lived here from 1905 to 1918, writing and fishing along the same riverbanks people still fish today.
If you like trains, the Stourbridge Line runs scenic excursions that start in Honesdale, pass through Hawley, and follow the Lackawaxen River toward the village. It is one of the easier ways to take in the region’s waterways and forest without leaving your seat.
Recreation: The Heartbeat of Lackawaxen
If you spend time outdoors, Lackawaxen gives you a lot to work with.
Bald Eagle Watching
Lackawaxen is one of the best spots in the Northeast to see wintering bald eagles. Dozens gather along the Delaware and the Lackawaxen during the colder months, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission points to this stretch of river as a known winter concentration area. Watching one drop to the water for a fish is a fairly ordinary morning here.
It is also a real comeback story. Pennsylvania was down to three known eagle nests in the late 1970s. Today the state counts more than 300, and Pike County is consistently among the leaders.
Fishing, Kayaking, and Boating
The Delaware offers well-regarded fly fishing, kayaking, tubing, and canoeing, calm in some stretches and lively in others. The Lackawaxen River is known for trout, and it is where Zane Grey learned to fly fish.
Skiing and Snowboarding at Ski Big Bear
Up the mountain, Ski Big Bear is one of Pike County’s more approachable ski areas. The terrain is gentle enough for beginners, and the season pairs well with a riverfront second home.
Hiking and Biking
One of the best local rides is the Towpath Road from Kimbles to Lackawaxen, a quiet, mostly flat stretch of about 13 miles along the river with open water views. If hills are not your thing (they are definitely not mine), you can park along the roadside below the Mt. Moriah Cemetery and ride the easier section.
Dining on the Water
After a ride, brunch or lunch at Two River Anglers Café hits the spot, especially with a table by the large windows, looking over the water.
Hunting, Wildlife, and State Lands
Lackawaxen borders thousands of acres of Pennsylvania State Game Lands and the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor. The area supports deer and bear hunting, birdwatching, scenic overlooks, and quiet riverside trails.
Living in Lackawaxen: Quiet, Connected, Community-Driven
Despite the rural feel, Lackawaxen is part of a growing Pike County and stays reasonably easy to get around.
- Hawley is about 15 minutes out for dining, coffee, markets, and events.
- Milford brings galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and historic streets.
- Narrowsburg, NY, just across the river, adds arts, eateries, and a farmers market.
- Route 6 and Scenic Byway 97 are both close, which keeps regional access simple.
Many residents are full-timers who want quiet. Others keep vacation homes here, drawn by the rivers, the community lakes, and the outdoor lifestyle. Popular residential areas include:
- Masthope Mountain Community: amenities including skiing, a large pool complex, lake rights to Westcolang Lake, private Delaware River access, horseback riding, dog park, fitness center, and ATV and cross-country ski trails.
- Fawn Lake Forest: lakefront and lake-rights homes with community amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, beach, fitness center, clubhouse, mini-golf, and more.
- Riverview Acres: mountainside properties with Lackawaxen River access.
- Hunters Ridge: a riverside community.
- Riverfront cabins, cottages, and homes in and around the village of Lackawaxen itself.
Life here moves at a slower pace. Neighbors wave. Wildlife turns up at unexpected moments, and nobody is surprised when a bald eagle, bobcat, or black bear happens by. If a stray kayak shows up against your porch railing after a storm, well, the Delaware does what it wants.
A normal day might include watching eagles fishing the rivers, being mesmerized by the morning fog lifting off the Delaware, neighbors inviting you to go paddling on the water. At the end of the day, you can look forward to a quiet night to contemplate a sky full of stars.
Lackawaxen PA has a personality: outdoorsy, historic, unpretentious, and always tied to the rivers. It is a little like living inside a nature documentary, except with Wi-Fi and somewhere to get brunch.
Real Estate in Lackawaxen
Lackawaxen’s market covers a wide range of homes and properties.
Lake and Ski Community Homes
Masthope Mountain Community stays one of the area’s more amenity-heavy neighborhoods. Skiing at Ski Big Bear, horseback riding, pools, community lakes, and fitness facilities draw both seasonal and full-time owners.
Riverfront and River-View Properties
Homes along the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers are sought after for fishing, paddling, and the views. They tend to appeal to second-home buyers looking for weekend places.
Wooded Cabins and Rural Homes
Log homes, A-frames, cabins, and chalet-style properties are common across the township.
Historic Properties
Near the Roebling Bridge and the village center, a handful of older homes offer character and walkable access to the river and the Zane Grey Museum.
If you want a home that keeps you close to the rivers and the woods while staying connected to Pike County and the broader Poconos, Lackawaxen fits.
Community amenities, dues, and lake or river access rules vary by neighborhood and by individual lot, and they change over time. Before you commit to a specific property, confirm exactly what its lake rights, dock arrangements, road maintenance, and association fees actually include. I am happy to walk through the details for any community here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lackawaxen, PA?
Lackawaxen is the largest and northernmost township in Pike County, in the Upper Delaware corner of northeastern Pennsylvania. The village sits where the Lackawaxen River meets the Delaware, about a two-hour drive from New York City.
What does “Lackawaxen” mean?
It comes from the Lenape language and is usually translated as “swift waters,” after the river that runs about twelve miles through the township before it joins the Delaware.
What kinds of homes can you buy in Lackawaxen?
The mix runs from riverfront cabins and cottages to log homes, A-frames, and chalets, plus amenity-community homes in Masthope Mountain and Fawn Lake Forest. Lake rights and river access vary by community and lot, so verify the specifics before you buy.
Thinking About a Home in Lackawaxen?
If you are looking in Lackawaxen, Masthope, Westcolang Lake, or anywhere along the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers, I can help you read the market, compare communities, and find the right fit. You can browse current Lackawaxen homes for sale here, or send me a message for a market analysis or buyer consultation.
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About the Author
Karen Rice
Karen Rice of Keller Williams Real Estate has been a full-time Realtor since 2007. She specializes in lakefront, waterfront, luxury, and vacation home sales across Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Ariel, and the Northern Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania. Questions about a specific property or community? Message Karen.
Own the View. Love the Life.
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