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Lackawanna State Park
The 1,411-acre Lackawanna State Park is in northeastern Pennsylvania, ten miles north of Scranton. The 198-acre Lackawanna Lake is the centerpiece of this beautiful, modern recreational facility, which also has hiking, camping and picnicking. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Activities - Winter Report - Environmental Education - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - History - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 8/5/2008 9:16:00 AM | Firewood Advisory: Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory |
Directions
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The park is easily reached from I-81. Visitors should take Exit 199 and travel three miles west on PA 524. Visitors coming via U.S. routes 6 and 11 should take PA 438 east about three miles to PA 407, then south. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Trail Biking - Horseback Riding - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Cross-country Skiing - Sledding - Ice Fishing - Ice Skating - Organized Group Tenting - Cabin - Camping
Camping: modern sites, some with elec.
The campground is within walking distance of the lake and swimming area. The campground offers various types of campsites for tents and trailers, 61 sites with electric hookups 40-50 amp., modern centralized washhouses providing hot showers and restrooms, and a sanitary dump station. The camping season is from the second Friday in April until the third Sunday in October. The maximum camping period is 14 consecutive days in the summer season and 21 consecutive days in the off-season. All campground restrooms and washhouses are accessible.
Some unique features of the campground are the children’s play areas and small fishing ponds along Woodland Ponds Trail.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Pets are allowed in designated campsites. Explore pets in campgrounds for more information.
Make a reservation
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: two host positions in the modern campgroundThe two campground host sites have 50-amp electric service. Hosts are required to assist park personnel for 40 hours per week with a minimum stay of two weeks. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Lakeside Lodge: This fully furnished modern house has three bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and family room. The centrally located lodge is on PA 438 and has a beautiful view of the lake. It will be available in 2007.
Explore cabins for more information.
Organized Group Tenting: Three areas with a combined capacity of 150 people are open April through October to adult and youth groups. This area has a modern washhouse along with picnic tables, fire rings and water. Advance reservations are required.
Explore organized group tenting for more information.
Picnicking: The main picnic area overlooks the lake by the swimming area. Restrooms are strategically placed throughout the picnic area. A picnic pavilion may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. If not reserved, the picnic pavilion is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make a reservation
Swimming: The 160-foot diameter pool is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. A bathhouse and snack bar are adjacent to the pool.
Hunting and Firearms: Over 500 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, rabbit, pheasant and grouse. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Hiking: 5 miles of trails
A series of looping trails wander through the campground and day use areas of the park, and additional loops explore forests, fields, lakeshore areas and woodland streams.
Horseback Riding: The 3.5-mile Abington Trail is a multi-use trail. Trailer parking is in the northeastern section of the park along Wallsville Road (PA 438).
Trail Biking: The 3.5-mile Abington Trail is a multi-use trail. You may access the trail at Rowlands Road, boat mooring and the horse trailer parking lot.
Fishing: The 198-acre Lake Lackawanna has cold-water and warm-water species of fish. Common fish stocked in the stream and lake are trout, muskellunge, walleye, channel catfish, bullhead, pickerel and largemouth bass. The lake is fed by Kennedy Creek, a favorite of canoeists. The 2.5-mile long lake has more than 7.5 miles of shoreline. The fishing pier by the main boat launch is accessible.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Boating: electric motors only
The 198-acre Lake Lackawanna is popular for sailing, canoeing and rowing. There are three boat launches around the lake. A limited number of boat mooring spaces are available on a seasonal basis. A boat concession near the swimming pool area rents various types of boats.
Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Winter Activities
Ice under the bridge is UNSAFE all winter!
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Cross-country Skiing: All trails can be cross-country skied, although Frost Hollow, Lakeview and most trails in the campground and picnicking areas are recommended.
Sledding and Tobogganing: The gentle slopes by Pavilion 1 are recommended for sledding.
Ice Fishing: Except for the ice skating area and under the bridge, all of the 198-acre Lake Lackawanna is open for ice fishing. Common fish caught through the ice are trout, muskellunge, walleye, pickerel, perch and largemouth bass.
Ice Skating: The maintained ice skating area is in the cove just south of the fishing pier. The ice is cleared and depth is measured. Contact the park office for ice conditions.
Environmental Education
Programming is available year-round at Lackawanna State Park. The Bureau of State Parks seeks to advance environmental literacy, stewardship and civic responsibility through environmental education. The environmental education specialist provides formal and non-formal educational services to schools, communities and park visitors. Educational programs include Watershed Education, Activities for Environmental Learning, teacher in-service credit workshops, community programs, curriculum consultation and resource services. Summertime programming includes the Youth Environmental Learning Series and weekend interpretive programs. For further information about environmental education at Lackawanna State Park call 570-945-7110.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)
History
The park is in the Lackawanna Valley. Lacka-wanna is an American Indian word meaning “the meeting of two streams.”
An important Indian trail linked the valley to New York State. In the early 1800s, settlers followed this path and built farms in the Lackawanna Valley. The trail became old PA 407. From 1821 to 1826 the Philadelphia and Great Bend Turnpike was built on old PA 407, spawning many businesses.
In 1898, several area farmers organized the Maitland Fair and Driving Park Association. Annual fairs and horse races attracted large crowds for a dozen years. The racecourse was in the current park camping area on the Woodland Ponds Trail.
The price of water indirectly led to the creation of Lackawanna State Park. In 1912, the D.L. & W. Railroad felt that they were being overcharged for water and began purchasing land to build their own reservoir. The Scranton Gas and Water Company lowered their price and the lake was never built.
The land was leased to farmers until 1946 when Robert Moffat, a prominent Scranton coal operator, purchased the land and rented it to his employees.
In 1968, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land and developed it into an outstanding recreation area whose primary attraction is Lackawanna Lake, the meeting place of many streams. The park was dedicated on June 10, 1972.
Explore an extensive park history.
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, contact: Northeast Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-22WELCOME, www.visitnepa.org.
The Countryside Conservancy owns lands adjoining Lackawanna State Park. Hiking, biking and picnicking is permitted. The Countryside Conservancy is dedicated to conserving lands and waters in and around the Tunkhannock Creek watershed for the public benefit now, and for the future. 570-945-6995 www.countrysideconservancy.org/default.htm
Lackawanna State Park is in the Lackawanna Heritage Valley. This heritage area highlights cultural and historical resources. The park is within ten miles of a large metropolitan area. Areas of interest include: PA Anthracite Heritage Museum www.anthracitemuseum.org, Steamtown National Historic Site www.nps.gov/stea/, large shopping malls, universities and parks.
Lackawanna State Park serves as the headquarters for two state parks that are about a one hour drive away. East of Lackawanna, Archbald Pothole State Park exhibits the world’s largest glacial pothole carved from the earth by glacial meltwater during the last ice age. Salt Springs State Park, about 25 miles northwest of Lackawanna, offers a nature preserve atmosphere. With waterfalls and towering old growth hemlocks, the 400-acre park offers educational programs, hiking, hunting and trout fishing.
In an Emergency
Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.
Nearest Hospital:
Community Medical Center
1800 Mulberry Street
Scranton, PA 18510
570-969-8000
For More Information Contact
Lackawanna State Park
RR 1 Box 230
Dalton, PA 18414-9785
570-945-3239
Manager: Alex Stout
E-mail: lackawannasp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer
Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.
