Francis E Walter Dam National Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Francis E.
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Summary
Walter Dam National Recreation Area is located in the Pocono Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania. The recreation area covers over 2,900 acres of land and water, with a 1,700 acre lake created by the Francis E. Walter Dam. There are numerous reasons to visit, including fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Some specific points of interest to see in the recreation area include the Francis E. Walter Dam itself, the Bear Creek Campground, and the scenic hiking trails around the lake. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, picnicking, and birdwatching at the recreation area.
Interesting facts about the area include its history as a site for hydroelectric power generation and flood control. The Francis E. Walter Dam was built in the 1960s to provide flood control for the Lehigh River Basin.
The best time of year to visit the Francis E. Walter Dam National Recreation Area depends on the activities you plan to do. Summer is the most popular season for boating and swimming, while fall is ideal for hiking and birdwatching as the leaves change colors. The recreation area is open year-round for camping and fishing.
Overall, Francis E. Walter Dam National Recreation Area is a beautiful and diverse destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Lehigh Gorge Campground
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Camp Shehaqua
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Camp Daddy Allen
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Pennsylvania Youth Forestry Camp #2
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Hickory Run State Park
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Organized Group Tenting Area
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Bear Creek Preserve
State Game Lands 091
State Game Lands 119
State Game Lands 149
Graystones Preserve