Enjoying the Wright(er) Lake

Destination: Wrighter Lake, Thompson, Pa.

Who Went: The Kirsch Family, Caldwell, and relatives

What There Was To Do: Located in the Pocono Mountains of Pa., Wrighter Lake offers nature lovers a plethora of things to do. From fishing and hiking; to boating, tubing and water skiing; to simply relaxing by the water; Wrighter Lake is truly a “Place for all Seasons”. With both the Tobyhanna and Prompton State Parks, and several local golf courses, including the Pocono Farms Country Club, Memorial Links Golf Club and Red Maples Golf Club, the lake has something for everyone.

For those looking for a bit of nature off the lake, the area also offers several nearby trails, including the Florence Shelly Preserve, a 357-acre preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. It has a variety of habitats, from rock ledges in open hardwood forests to wetlands, sedges, and bogs.

Why Here? A family tradition, Kirsch family joins relatives at the lake to celebrate Wrighter Lake Day on July 23. The local celebration that runs from noon to five is filled with food, fun and fireworks!

Highlight of the Trip: From sitting peacefully by the lake to enjoying long walks with family and friends, the Kirsch family was on the go from morning until night. 

“Thanks to my uncle, the resident boat driver, we spent hours tubing and water skiing,” said mom Stephanie Kirsch.

The kids, Zach and Abigail, also enjoyed the multitude of water activities, including fishing and swimming.

“I enjoyed the morning walks around the lake with my aunt,” added Kirsch. “And, of course, all her yummy cooking!”

The Travel Brochures Say: If you love some time out in the waters, then head for a lake vacation. Lake vacations are the perfect way to indulge in boating, water skiing, and angling. There are lake vacation rentals tailor-made to meet your accommodation needs.

Located in Susquehanna County, Pa., Wrighter Lake is just one of six lakes located within a 16-mile radius within the Pocono Mountains, including Fiddle Lake, Devils Punch Bowl and Crystal Lake within Susquehanna County; Columbia Lake located in Delaware County just 12 miles away; and Edgerton Reservoir located in Lackawanna County just 16 miles away.

For those who prefer camping over renting, there are also several nearby campgrounds, including Camp Tioga, Camp Weequahic, Lakewood, Guestward Ho Family Campground, and April Valley Campsites, all less than ten miles away from the lake.  

Like to hike? Consider visiting the Florence Shelly Preserve. The preserve is home to nearly 400 plants and rare red algae (batrachorsermum vagum) that exists only in the purest of water. There are more mammals, birds, insects, and aquatic life than you can imagine, and a diverse forest also calls the preserve home, with a variety of pine and hardwood trees, tamarack, and hemlock. Other highlights include unique boulders, ledges, swamps, bogs and wildlife. Read more about the preserve on the Trails.com website.