Wilsonville Recreation Area, Hawley, PA

Introduction / Overview: Your Family Basecamp on Lake Wallenpaupack

For Pennsylvania families and outdoor enthusiasts, the Wilsonville Recreation Area in Hawley, PA, stands out as the largest and one of the most conveniently located lakeside campgrounds on the stunning Lake Wallenpaupack. As a popular seasonal destination open from early May through mid-October, Wilsonville offers a traditional, family-friendly camping experience tailored for both RV and tent users. The campground features 160 spacious sites, and its primary appeal is the unparalleled access it provides to the largest man-made lake in Pennsylvania, often referred to as the 'Big Lake' of the Poconos.

Wilsonville is known for its blend of comfortable amenities and extensive recreational opportunities. The area fosters a bustling, friendly atmosphere, especially during the peak summer weekends, attracting boaters, fishers, and families looking for an easy, fun-filled getaway. Guests consistently appreciate the well-maintained grounds, including the availability of water and electric hookups, and the fact that everything needed for a successful lake trip—from boat slips to a general store—is right on site or a short distance away. While it offers modern conveniences like laundry facilities and hot showers (available for a small fee), it maintains a core focus on the essential joys of camping: lakeside views, campfires, and quality time outdoors.

The facility’s focus on lake recreation makes it particularly appealing to those who own boats or wish to partake in activities like fishing and tubing. Its prime location near local dining, shops in Hawley, and the public swimming beach ensures that visitors have every need met, making it a reliable and enjoyable Poconos vacation spot.

Location and Accessibility: Right on the Water in the Poconos

Wilsonville Recreation Area is ideally situated at 113 Ammon Drive in Hawley, PA 18428. This location places it directly on the eastern edge of Lake Wallenpaupack, a central hub for recreation in the Pocono Mountains Lake Region. For Pennsylvania residents, particularly those in the Northeast and Central regions, the campground is easily accessible, providing a straightforward drive to a major body of water.

Accessibility to the lake is Wilsonville’s strongest point. The campground features its own boat launch and gas dock, and offers slip docks for rent, allowing guests with motorized boats immediate and easy access to the lake’s 5,700 acres of surface area and 52 miles of shoreline. While swimming is not permitted directly in the recreation area, the Palmyra Township Public Beach—the only section of the lake that allows swimming—is conveniently adjacent to the campground and available for a small fee. Furthermore, the newly established, scenic 2-mile Lake Trail is directly accessible from the area, offering excellent opportunities for walking and biking with beautiful views of the lake.

This strategic location not only provides direct recreation access but also keeps campers close to the charming town of Hawley, with its selection of restaurants, shops, and other local services, ensuring a convenient stay where necessities and entertainment are always close by.

Services Offered: Modern Comforts for Lakeside Living

Wilsonville Recreation Area ensures a comfortable stay for both short-term visitors and seasonal campers by providing a robust list of facilities and services:

Campsite Hookups: Offering 160 tent and trailer sites, many of which are roomy, mostly level gravel sites equipped with water and 30-amp electric hookups.
Boat and Watercraft Facilities: An on-site boat launch, a gas dock, and available slip docks for rent. A boat sewage holding tank pump-out service is also offered for a fee.
Comfort Facilities: Clean restroom facilities, as well as coin-operated washing machines, clothes dryers, and hot showers (showers require quarters for use).
On-Site Provisions: A general store that stocks camping essentials, supplies, and potentially fishing gear and firewood for purchase.
Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi hotspots are generally available, though service coverage may be limited.
Waste Disposal: An RV dump station is available on-site for convenient waste management.
Community Spaces: A shaded picnic area and pavilion are available for camper use.

Features / Highlights: Family Fun and Water Adventure

Wilsonville Recreation Area is celebrated for the unique highlights that make it a favorite for Pennsylvania families, particularly those focused on motorized boating and water sports:

The Largest Lakeside Campground: With 160 sites, it is the largest campground on Lake Wallenpaupack, offering a great selection of spacious sites with water views or easy lake access.
Family-Focused Amenities: The campground features a children's play area (playground) and a basketball court, ensuring younger campers have plenty of dry-land entertainment.
Wallenpaupack Lake Trail: Campers have direct access to the 2-mile Lake Trail, a well-maintained path perfect for walking, jogging, or biking with fantastic views of the water.
Boater's Paradise: The availability of rentable boat slips, a gas dock, and a launch ramp makes it an exceptionally convenient location for visitors bringing their own motorized boats for fishing, skiing, or tubing on the expansive lake.
Adjacent Public Beach: The proximity to the Palmyra Township Public Beach is a major highlight, as it offers the only designated swimming area on Lake Wallenpaupack, a short and easy walk from the campsite.
Cleanliness and Maintenance: Many visitors consistently note the cleanliness and well-kept nature of the park and bathrooms, reflecting the care taken by the operators.

Contact Information

For Pennsylvania locals interested in site availability, seasonal bookings, or specific amenity questions, please use the following contact details:

Address: 113 Ammon Dr, Hawley, PA 18428, USA

Phone: (570) 226-4382 or Mobile Phone: +1 570-226-4382

Website: wilsonvillecampground1.com (for detailed information and rules)

Conclusion: Why Wilsonville is Suitable for Pennsylvania Locals

Wilsonville Recreation Area is highly suitable for Pennsylvania locals, especially those living in the eastern and central parts of the state, because it provides an immediate, accessible, and full-featured gateway to Lake Wallenpaupack. The campground's family-friendly focus and extensive RV/trailer services make it an easy choice for multi-generational trips and weekend escapes. Crucially, it serves the specific needs of local boat owners and water enthusiasts by offering essential marine services like slips, a launch ramp, and a gas dock, all within the campground perimeter.

For a local, the convenience of finding electric and water hookups, laundry facilities, a store, and lake access all in one spot significantly simplifies the logistics of a summer vacation. While reviewers sometimes note the showers require quarters and the park can be lively on summer weekends, these minor trade-offs are widely accepted for the prime lakefront location and the sheer volume of activities available. Wilsonville Recreation Area is thus best recommended for PA residents seeking a lively, amenity-rich, and highly convenient lakeside experience that prioritizes family fun, boating, and all the pleasures of Lake Wallenpaupack.