Settled deep in the Upper Delaware Region of Pike County, Lackawaxen PA is the kind of place
where time slows down, nature sets the pace, and the water shapes nearly everything. This
quiet village sits exactly where the Delaware River and the Lackawaxen River meet, creating
one of the most scenic, peaceful, and naturally rich corners of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The name “Lackawaxen,” taken from the Lenape language, translates to “The place where two
rivers meet,” a fitting description of a community defined by water, wildlife, and wilderness.
Indigenous peoples lived, traded, hunted, and fished along these riverbanks long before
European settlers arrived in the 1770s. The history is layered and long, and the landscape still
reflects it.
Today, Lackawaxen is a blend of scenic seclusion, deep history, outdoor adventure, and
teeny-tiny small-town authenticity. Many know it as home to Masthope Mountain Community and
Ski Big Bear, others for its riverfront cottages, rugged terrain, wildlife, and laid-back Pike County
personality.
Whether you’re here to fish, kayak, ski, watch bald eagles, bike the Towpath Road, take a scenic
train ride from Honesdale, or simply enjoy the stars at night, Lackawaxen delivers the kind of
beauty that quietly wins you over.
A Walk Through Lackawaxen’s History
In the 1800s, Lackawaxen was anything but sleepy. The area bustled with logging,
Pennsylvania bluestone quarrying, D&H Canal traffic, and railroad industry, connecting
both Wayne and Pike Counties to broader trade routes.
The crown jewel of Lackawaxen’s historic landscape is the Roebling Bridge. Built in 1848 by
John A. Roebling, yes, the engineer who later designed the Brooklyn Bridge, the Roebling
Aqueduct is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark.
It remains the oldest wire suspension bridge in the United States.
Just a short stroll away sits another gem: the Zane Grey Museum, now part of the National
Park Service. The famed Western novelist once called Lackawaxen home, writing and fishing
along the riverbanks just like many residents still do today.
And if you love trains, the Stourbridge Line offers scenic rail excursions that begin in
Honesdale, cross through Hawley, and follow the Lackawaxen River right into the village. It’s
one of the most relaxing ways to soak in the region’s winding waterways and forested backdrop.
Recreation: The Heartbeat of Lackawaxen
If you love the outdoors, Lackawaxen will feel like one giant playground.
Bald Eagle Watching
Lackawaxen is one of the very best places in the Northeast to view wintering bald eagles.
Hundreds migrate along the Delaware River and its tributaries during the colder months. Seeing
them perched in trees or sweeping over the river is a normal Tuesday here.
In the 1970s, Pennsylvania had only one active eagle nest. Today, there are more than 200, a
remarkable environmental success story
Fishing, Kayaking, and Boating
The Delaware River offers world-class fly fishing, kayaking, tubing, and canoeing. The waters
are clean, calm in some sections and thrilling in others, and always scenic. The Lackawaxen
River is also known for excellent fly and trout fishing.
Skiing and Snowboarding at Ski Big Bear
Just up the mountain is Ski Big Bear, one of Pike County’s most family-friendly ski areas. It’s
perfect for second-home buyers wanting a winter getaway close to their riverfront escape.
Hiking and Biking
One of the best local experiences is biking the Towpath Road from Kimbles to Lackawaxen — a
quiet, mostly flat 13-mile ride along the river with unbeatable views. If hills aren’t your thing
(they’re definitely not mine!), you can park along the roadside at the bottom below the Mt Moriah
Cemetery and enjoy the easier stretch.
Dining on the Water
When you finish your bike ride, brunch or lunch at Two River Anglers Café hits the spot,
especially when you can sit outside overlooking the water.
Hunting, Wildlife Viewing, and State Lands
Lackawaxen borders thousands of acres of Pennsylvania State Game Lands and the Upper
Delaware Scenic & Recreational River corridor. The region offers:
- Deer and bear hunting
- Birdwatching
- Scenic overlooks
- Peaceful riverside trails
For nature lovers, this area is unmatched.
Modern Life in Lackawaxen: Quiet, Connected, and
Community-Driven
Despite its rural feel, Lackawaxen is part of the growing Pike County region and remains
surprisingly accessible.
- Hawley is about 15 minutes away for dining, coffee shops, markets, and events.
- Milford offers galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and historic charm.
- Narrowsburg NY, just across the river, brings arts, eateries, and farmers markets.
- Route 6 and Scenic Byway 97 are both close, making regional access easy
Many residents are full-timers who crave quiet living. Others own vacation homes, drawn by the
river, the lake communities, and the outdoor lifestyle.
Popular residential areas include:
- Masthope Mountain Community (amenities, skiing, lake rights, pool, horseback riding, atv and cross country ski trails
- Fawn Lake Forest (lakefront and lake-rights homes with amenities)
- Riverview Acres (mountainside properties with Lackawaxen River access)
- Hunters Ridge (riverside community)
- Riverfront cabins, cottages, and homes in and around the village of Lackawaxen itself
For buyers wanting a blend of nature, recreation, water access, and community amenities,
Lackawaxen offers quite a variety.
Local Culture: A Little Quirky, Very Welcoming
Life here moves at a calmer pace. The locals wave to each other. Wildlife sometimes appears
on the road at inconvenient moments. If a bald eagle, bobcat, or black bear interrupts your
morning coffee, nobody is shocked. And if a kayak suddenly appears next to your porch railing
after a storm, well, the Delaware River does what it wants.
Lackawaxen has a personality: outdoorsy, historic, unpretentious, and always tied to the rivers.
Real Estate in Lackawaxen PA
Lackawaxen’s housing market offers options for nearly every type of buyer:
Lake and Ski Community Homes
Masthope Mountain Community remains one of the Poconos’ most popular amenity-filled
neighborhoods. Ski Big Bear, horseback riding, pools, lakes, fitness facilities, and community life
attract both seasonal and full-time residents.
Riverfront and River-View Properties
Homes along the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers are highly desirable for fishing, kayaking,
and serene views. These properties often appeal to second-home buyers looking for weekend
escapes.
Wooded Cabins and Rural Homes
Secluded log homes, A-frames, cabins, and chalet-style properties are common throughout the
township
Historic Properties
Near the Roebling Bridge and village center, a handful of older homes offer charm and walkable
access to river recreation and the Zane Grey Museum.
If you want a home that feels like a retreat yet keeps you connected to Pike County and the
Poconos, Lackawaxen fits the bill.
What It’s Like to Live Here
Living in Lackawaxen feels like living inside a nature documentary, but with Wi-Fi and places to
get brunch.
Daily life might include:
- Eagles fishing along the river
- Morning fog lifting off the Delaware
- Neighbors paddling past your backyard
- Deer crossing your driveway politely (or not)
- Quiet nights filled with stars
- A community that values the outdoors as much as you do
It is peaceful, beautiful, and deeply tied to the rhythms of the surrounding landscape.
A Place Where History, Rivers, and Community
Come Together
From its Native American roots to its bustling 19th-century industries to its present-day quiet
charm, Lackawaxen remains one of Pike County’s most treasured areas.
The convergence of two iconic rivers, the wealth of wildlife, the preserved historic landmarks,
and the welcoming community create a location that feels timeless and distinctly local.
Whether you come for the outdoor lifestyle, the scenery, the ski slopes, the fishing, or the
serenity, Lackawaxen has a way of making people stay.
Thinking About a Home in Lackawaxen PA?
If you’re exploring homes in Lackawaxen, Masthope, Westcolang Lake, or anywhere along the
Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers, I can help you understand the market, compare
communities, and find the right fit.
See all Lackawaxen PA homes and real estate here.
Contact Karen Rice, Realtor, for a personalized market analysis or buyer consultation.
