When many people think about buying a home on a lake in northeastern Pennsylvania, they picture motorboats. And that is a reasonable picture; Lake Wallenpaupack is the obvious draw in this market, and it’s a motorized lake by design. Powerboats, pontoons, jet skis, the whole thing. If that’s what you’re after, Wallenpaupack delivers (along with others; Lake Wally is the largest, though).
But there is a segment of lake buyers who want something different. They want to hear the quiet nature surrounding the water, not the boat engines. These buyers want a kayak launched at any time of day without competing with boat wakes. A lake that looks the same on a Saturday in August as it does on a Tuesday morning in October. For those buyers, northeastern Pennsylvania has options. Delightful, peaceful, tranquil options.
I have been selling real estate in this region since 2007. Here is a straightforward look at non-powerboat lakes in northeastern Pennsylvania: what each community is like and what buyers should understand before they start lake house shopping.
What “Non-Powerboat” Actually Means
This is worth clarifying upfront because the terminology gets used loosely. When a lake is described as non-powerboat, it typically means gas-powered motors are prohibited. Most of these lakes still allow electric trolling motors…the quiet, battery-powered kind used for fishing. Some allow small electric motors up to a specified horsepower. A smaller number prohibit all motors entirely and are limited to paddle craft or sailboats only.
The practical result of a no-gas-motor rule is that the lake stays calm because there are no boat wakes. No engine noise, smell of fuel, or pollution. It’s a serene mountain lake experience that feels straight out of a movie or TV scene.
This buyer’s guide will help identify some of the more popular non-powerboat lakes in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Starting in Dingman’s Ferry, we will meander to Shohola, west to Hawley/Lakeville, then south toward Gouldsboro and Pocono Lake. This is not an all-inclusive list, though. I needed to save some for another post.
Wild Acres Lake | Dingmans Ferry, PA
Wild Acres includes several lakes in Dingmans Ferry, Pike County. Dingmans Ferry sits along the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, one of the larger federally protected natural areas in the northeast. Residents enjoy hiking, swimming, and paddling access across a significant stretch of the Delaware River.
The largest lake in the community is, coincidentally, Wild Acres Lake. For buyers who want a quiet lake community in Pike County with easy access to a broader outdoor landscape, Wild Acres is positioned well. A local favorite spot nearby is Childs Park, with gorgeous waterfall trails. The Delaware Water Gap access alone sets this corner of Pike County apart from other lake communities further west. Wild Acres does not permit short-term rentals.
Gold Key Lake | Milford, PA
Gold Key Country Club is offers three lakes in the rural Milford area of Pike County, on the eastern edge of the Poconos. Close to the Delaware River, Milford itself is one of the more genuinely appealing small towns in northeastern PA. It has a real downtown with independent restaurants, an arts presence, and a historic character is authentic and welcoming.
All three lakes are non-powerboat lakes. Gold Key has a mix of homes ranging from modest cottages to more substantial year-round homes. The Pike County location and Milford’s amenities make this an attractive option for buyers considering year-round or seasonal use. Proximity to the New Jersey border and Route 84 is a practical advantage for buyers commuting occasionally to the metro area.
Hemlock Lake and McConnel Pond (Hemlock Farms) | Hawley, PA
Hemlock Farms community in Hawley is the largest and one of the most established planned communities in Pike County. All of the lakes within its borders are non-powerboat. Hemlock Lake and McConnel Pond are the two largest ones in the community. Hemlock Farms also has pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, a library, volunteer fire department, and more.
While it is one of the most vibrant and active communities, Hemlock offers the quiet pace desired by homebuyers seeking a lakehouse on a non-powerboat lake. Buyers who want activities and infrastructure but do not care about motorboating find Hemlock Farms a strong fit. The Pike County location also puts residents within reasonable reach of both the Delaware River and Lake Wallenpaupack. Hemlock Farms allows rentals of 30-days or longer.
Twin Lakes | Shohola, PA
Twin Lakes in Shohola, Pike County, is near the historic town of Milford and the Delaware River. Shohola is a quieter corner of the region: less trafficked than the Hawley and Milford areas…and Twin Lakes reflects that character. Thanks to the non-powerboat designation, the lakes are peaceful and the community is perfect for people who want a calm water experience.
The Delaware River is within close reach of Twin Lakes, which broadens the outdoor options considerably. Canoe and kayak trips on the upper Delaware are popular activities. The combination of a quiet private lake plus river access nearby is genuinely compelling for outdoor-oriented buyers. The Pike County location also means buyers are closer to the NY/NJ border.
Fawn Lake | Hawley, PA
Fawn Lake Forest is a private community lake in rural Hawley area of Pike County, in Lackawaxen Township. The non-gated community offers lake access, beach area, and recreational amenities and has a reputation for being friendly and well-maintained. 150-acre Fawn Lake is a beautiful non-motorboat lake. Residents of Fawn Lake Forest share access to Westcolang Lake, which is a motorized lake, with Masthope property owners.
Its location is one of Fawn Lake’s strengths. Close proximity to skiing at Ski Big Bear in Masthope, downtown Hawley, Lake Wallenpaupack, and the broader lake region means residents are not isolated despite being in the woods. Fawn Lake Forest does not allow short-term rentals.
Paupackan Lake | Hawley, PA
Paupackan Lake Estates is in the Hawley/Lakeville area of Wayne County, near Lake Wallenpaupack, but it’s a quieter, smaller, non-powerboat body of water. This 252-acre lake is regularly stocked and is known to be a fantastic fishing lake! Its location near Hawley means buyers here get the benefits of the town’s restaurants, shops, and services without the boat traffic that comes with being on a fully motorized lake.
For buyers who want lake access close to Hawley without the full Wallenpaupack price premium, Paupackan is a legitimate alternative worth exploring. Inventory on smaller lakes like this is limited by definition, so when something comes available, it tends to move. Paupackan Lake prohibits short-term rentals at this time.
Crystal Lake (Pocono Springs) | Gouldsboro & Newfoundland PA
Crystal Lake in Pocono Springs sits in a quiet part of the Poconos with excellent water quality. Properties on Crystal Lake tend to have a secluded, woodsy character. Residents enjoy tennis, a pool with children’s splash area, and a clubhouse among other amenities.
Buyers who prioritize quiet over huge community amenity packages and organized activity will find that Crystal Lake is worth putting on the list. It draws a specific kind of buyer…one who is more interested in the lake and the rural vibe. Short-term rentals are not allowed in Pocono Springs.
Lake Watawga (Lakeview Estates) | Gouldsboro, PA
Lake Watawga is in the exclusive community of Lakeview Estates, close to Gouldsboro & Tobyhanna State Parks. It is a quieter, less commercially developed lake compared to some of the larger community destinations. Lakeview Estates offers an extraordinary blend of privacy, recreation, and refined mountain living, moreso than many of the other planned communities further south and east.
Buyers drawn here are typically looking for a traditional yet luxurious cabin-on-a-lake experience. Lakeview Estates offers private amenities like tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, a playground, a lodge, a private sandy beach, and miles of scenic hiking trails. From kayaking across crystal-clear waters to hiking through 40,000 acres of neighboring protected state forest, every day invites you to connect with nature on your own terms. Gouldsboro is not a major tourist destination like Lake Wallenpaupack…but that is the appeal for buyers who want to be off the beaten path. Proximity to skiing and the state forest makes the location extremely desirable.
Big Bass Lake | Gouldsboro, PA
Big Bass Lake sits in Gouldsboro, in the southern Wayne County and Lackawanna County area, just north of the Monroe County border. Prohibiting gas motors, Big Bass is another desirable quiet water destination and includes a mix of year-round and seasonal homes. The lake itself is a draw for fishing: largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish are present, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding.
Amenities in Big Bass Lake include beach access, recreational facilities, and organized activities. For buyers who want lake access in a quieter, more affordable range than deeded Wallenpaupack frontage, Big Bass Lake warrants a look, and currently allows short-term rentals. Verify current POA fees and rules directly with the association before making an offer on any property there.
Arrowhead Lake | Pocono Lake, PA
Arrowhead Lake is in Pocono Lake, Monroe County. The Arrowhead Lake community is a private, gated haven the Pocono Mountains, offering a peaceful escape surrounded by woods & wildlife. Both community lakes allow electric motors only.
The community has beach access, pools, sports courts, and organized activities. Arrowhead sits at the southern end of the Poconos, closer to Stroudsburg and the Route 80 corridor, which makes it a practical option for buyers coming from northern New Jersey and the New York area via the 80 corridor rather than Route 84. Home values here tend to be somewhat more accessible than in the Lake Wallenpaupack area. At the current time, short-term rentals are allowed here, but always double-check before buying.
Locust Lake Village | Pocono Lake, PA
Locust Lake Village is a private, non-gated community in Pocono Lake, Monroe County, built around four non-powerboat lakes that have kept the same quiet character for decades. Gas motors are prohibited on all of the lakes: Locust Lake, Pines Lake, East Lake, and Pilgrim Lake. The result is the kind of calm water that makes early mornings and late afternoons on a kayak or paddleboard genuinely worth getting up for.
Locust Lake Village offers beaches, a clubhouse, and organized common areas. The community draws a mix of seasonal and year-round owners, and home prices are generally accessible relative to some of the higher-profile lake communities in the region. For buyers coming from the New York metro or northern New Jersey area via Route 80, the Monroe County location is a practical entry point into the Poconos. At the current time, short-term rentals are allowed in Locust Lake Village. As rules are often subject to change, verify before buying.
Lake Naomi | Pocono Pines, PA
Lake Naomi is in Pocono Pines, Monroe County, and is the anchor of the Lake Naomi Club, one of the more upscale private lake communities in the Poconos. The lake prohibits gas motors, which has helped preserve its clarity and quiet over many years of active use. At roughly 265 acres, it is large enough to feel open on the water while remaining calm in a way that motorized lakes simply cannot replicate on a summer weekend.
Lake Naomi Club has a well-regarded amenity package that includes golf, beach access, tennis, a fitness center, and a clubhouse. The community offers buyers a higher-end lake experience without the boat traffic. Home prices here reflect the community’s positioning and the quality of the lake infrastructure. For buyers comparing Lake Naomi to other options in the Poconos, the caliber of the community sets it apart from everything else. Short-term rentals are currently allowed, but always verify.
Why the Demand for Quiet Water Has Been Growing
There is a practical component and a lifestyle component to this. On the practical side, non-powerboat lake properties in northeastern Pennsylvania usually carry lower price tags than comparable frontage on motorized lakes like Wallenpaupack. A buyer with a $400,000 to $600,000 budget may find more more options in the non-powerboat segment. That said, some homes on non-powerboat lakes do sell in the luxury range ($750,000 t0 well over $1,000,000) as well.
For the lifestyle side, many buyers desire non-motorboat lakes, seeking something quiet and serene. Paddlers, anglers, and swimming enthusiasts want calm water. A non-powerboat experience is exactly what they are looking for. The absence of engine noise is something you never stop appreciating.
Environmentally speaking, non-powerboat lakes tend to have cleaner, clearer water than powerboat-enabled lakes. Several lakes in this category have been consistently clear for decades in part because the motor restriction has protected the aquatic environment. For many buyers, this is a meaningful factor in the purchase decision.
What to Verify Before You Buy on Any of These Lakes
Every lake on this list is governed by its own set of rules, either through a POA, a state or local authority, or both. Before making an offer on any lake property in northeastern Pennsylvania, confirm the following:
- The current motor rules and whether any changes are being considered by the governing body
- Private dock or boat slip availability, if any
- What type of watercraft is permitted beyond non-motorized: electric trolling motors, specific horsepower or hull size limits
- Current POA or HOA fees and what they cover
- Any pending special assessments
- Short-term rental rules, especially if rental income is part of your plan
- Road maintenance responsibility and whether the access road is private or municipal
- Septic system age and condition (most of these properties are not on central sewer)
The non-powerboat lakes of northeastern Pennsylvania are not a consolation prize for buyers who could not afford Lake Wallenpaupack, Fairview Lake, or Roamingwood Lake. They are the prize; a different destination for a different kind of buyer.
Looking for Property on Non-Powerboat Lakes in Northeastern Pennsylvania?
I have been selling lake and waterfront properties across Wayne and Pike County since 2007 and know this market, both motorized and non-motorized, better than many! If you want a straight conversation about what is available and which lake actually fits what you are looking for, let’s talk.
About the Author
Karen Rice, Realtor | Keller Williams Real Estate
Karen Rice specializes in luxury, lakefront, waterfront, and vacation home sales in the Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Ariel, and northern Poconos region of northeastern Pennsylvania. She has been active in this market since 2007. Use the map search to find lake properties on lakelivingpa.com.
