Hemlock Farms is a large gated community in Lords Valley (ZIP 18428), Pike County, spread over about 4,500 acres of forest and lakes around Hemlock Lake, between PA 402 and PA 739 just south of I-84. It's a Census-designated place of about 3,900 people (2020) that reaches into three townships: Blooming Grove, Porter and Dingman.
One thing to know before you search for a rental here: the community's own code requires a minimum rental term of one month. Nightly and weekly vacation rentals aren't permitted inside Hemlock Farms. For a getaway in this corner of the Poconos, look at homes around Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack (about 35 minutes) or Milford (about 30).
Can you rent a vacation home in Hemlock Farms?
- Not for short stays. The Hemlock Farms Community Association's code says members must rent their homes for a minimum term of one month, and no shorter rentals are permitted. Fines start at $500 for the first day, then $100 a day.
- Longer leases are allowed: the whole home, one family at a time, at most 2 people per bedroom, with the signed lease filed with the association at least 3 days before it starts.
- Authorized renters can get a gate entry device ($50 a year, as posted Nov 2026).
- Blooming Grove Township, which covers much of the community, issues short-term rental permits elsewhere in the township, but a township permit doesn't override a community's own rules.
Sources: Blooming Grove Township forms · Permit rules by township
Hemlock Farms lakes, beaches and amenities
From the association's published amenity pages and 2026 handbook. Amenities are for members and their authorized guests.
- Four lakes (Elm, Hemlock, Lower Hemlock and McConnell) and 9 ponds. The swim areas are tested weekly.
- Swimming and boating at Elm Beach (the largest, with volleyball and a pavilion), Little Camp Beach (swimming Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend) and Laurel Ridge Beach on McConnell Lake, plus boating-only beaches and a walk-out fishing dock on Lower Lake.
- 6 hard and 2 Har-Tru tennis courts, 12 pickleball courts, handball and racquetball, basketball, a baseball field, bocce, disc golf, an ice rink, a sledding hill, outdoor pools, trails, a playground and dog exercise areas.
- The Steer Barn clubhouse, with a fitness center (ages 14+), indoor aquatics, a games room, an auditorium and a café. Guest passes are $5 a day or $25 a week per person (as posted Nov 2026).
- The community is surrounded by Delaware State Forest.
Things to do near Hemlock Farms
- Promised Land State Park, about 30 minutes west: two lakes, two free sand beaches and about 50 miles of trails. See our Promised Land guide.
- Grey Towers National Historic Site, the Pinchot family mansion, and the town of Milford, about 30 minutes east.
- Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack, about 35 minutes north: the Hawley Silk Mill, The Ledges at Paupack High Falls and the Poconos' biggest lake.
- Bushkill Falls and the Pocono Environmental Education Center in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, about 45 minutes south.
Sources: DCNR: Promised Land State Park · USDA Forest Service: Grey Towers
Restaurants near Hemlock Farms
From our Hawley guide, about 35 minutes north:
- The Settlers Inn, 4 Main Avenue, Hawley: an Arts & Crafts lodge with the Grant's Woods and Ruskin Room restaurants.
- The Ledges Hotel, 119 Falls Avenue, Hawley: Glass wine bar and kitchen, in an 1890s glass factory above Paupack High Falls.
- Hawley Silk Mill, 8 Silk Mill Drive: Cocoon Coffeehouse and Hopping Eagle Brewing Company.
Hemlock Farms area by season
- Winter: Hawley Winterfest, December 11 to 13, 2026, with the Victorian Lighted Parade on Friday, December 11 at 6 PM. Promised Land lends snowshoes for free.
- Spring: trout season opens in early April.
- Summer: Promised Land's beaches (Memorial Day to mid-September), Lake Wallenpaupack boating, and Milford Beach on the Delaware River.
- Fall: color usually peaks in early to mid October; Lake Wallenpaupack's yearly drawdown lowers the lake in fall.
Pharmacy, groceries and the ER
- Walgreens, 667 Route 739, Hawley ((570) 775-0405), about 10 minutes away.
- Lake Region IGA, 52 Welwood Avenue, Hawley (570-226-6000), about 35 minutes away.
- Nearest emergency rooms, each just under an hour away: Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono, 206 E. Brown Street, East Stroudsburg (open 24 hours), and Wayne Memorial Hospital, 601 Park Street, Honesdale (ER 570-253-8141). In an emergency, call 911.
Sources: Walgreens Hawley (Route 739) · Lake Region IGA · LVH–Pocono · Wayne Memorial ER
How far is Hemlock Farms from Hawley, Milford and NYC?
Drive times from the middle of the community on map routes, without traffic:
- Walgreens on Route 739: about 10 minutes. Grey Towers: about 30. Milford: about 30. Promised Land State Park: about 30.
- Hawley: about 35 minutes. PEEC and Bushkill Falls: about 45. Skytop Lodge: about 45.
- Shawnee Mountain: about 50 minutes. Stroudsburg: about 1 hour. Scranton: about 1 hour.
- New York City (Times Square): about 2 hours 10 minutes (91 miles). Philadelphia: about 3 hours.