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Nescopeck State Park
Bordered on the south by steep Mount Yeager and on the north by Nescopeck Mountain, the 3,550-acre Nescopeck State Park encompasses wetlands, rich forests and many diverse habitats. Nescopeck Creek, a favorite of anglers, meanders through the park. Hiking trails follow the creek, climb mountains, pass through quiet forests and skirt wetlands. An environmental education center provides year round educational programs on the park’s unique resources. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Report - Environmental Education - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - Wildlife Watching - 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 |
| 4/30/2007 2:13:00 PM | ROAD CLOSURE:
DUE TO THE HEAVY RAINS WE RECEIVED ON NOVEMBER 16, 2006, THE DAM AND ROADWAY BETWEEN HONEY HOLE ROAD AND THE NESCOPECK STATE PARK OFFICE/RAPHAEL J. MUSTO EE CENTER SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.
THIS ACCESS ROAD IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
THE PARK REMAINS OPEN. THE OFFICE/EE CENTER IS ACCESSIBLE BY WAY OF THE LARGE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FROM THE ADJACENT PARKING AREA. VISITORS CAN ACCESS LAKE FRANCES FROM THIS SAME PARKING AREA BY TAKING A SHORT CONNECTING TRAIL.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL OUR STAFF AT THE NESCOPECK STATE PARK OFFICE; MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8AM-4PM, AT 570-403-2006. |
Directions
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Traveling east on I-80: Take Exit 262 (Hazleton, Mountaintop - PA 309.) Follow PA 309 south about 0.75 mile. Turn left onto Honey Hole Road. The park begins along Honey Hole Road a short distance east of the I-80 underpass. Travel about 6 miles along Honey Hole Road to enter the Lake Frances Day Use Area. It will be on your right side just opposite Lake Frances Road. |
Traveling West on I-80: Take Exit 273 (White Haven, Freeland). Turn right onto PA 940. At the stop sign, go straight onto PA 437 for about 4.5 miles. Directly after power lines go left onto Honey Hole Road. Travel about 2 miles to enter the Lake Frances Day Use Area. It will be on your left side opposite Lake Frances Road.
From Wilkes-Barre: Take PA 309 south. After passing under I-80, travel about 0.75 mile and turn left onto Honey Hole Road. The park begins along Honey Hole Road a short distance east of the I-80 underpass. Travel about 6 miles along Honey Hole Road to enter the Lake Frances Day Use Area. It will be on your right side just opposite Lake Frances Road.
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Fishing - Hunting - Wildlife Watching - Cross-country Skiing
Hiking: 19 miles of trails
Many of the trails begin along Honey Hole Road. Visitors can discover many of the unique habitats in the park. Trails traverse through forests, fields and wetlands. Several trails lead to and parallel the beautiful Nescopeck Creek.
Due to the unique natural resources in the park, mountain biking is prohibited on park trails.
Cross-country Skiing: This popular winter sport is permitted on all trails throughout the park. The ungroomed trails are relatively flat or have slight grades making this a great way to explore the park during winter. Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Fishing: The nine-acre Lake Frances has trout, bass and panfish. A well-used trail circles Lake Frances and provides great fishing access throughout the year. Six miles of Nescopeck Creek is designated as a high quality, cold-water fishery and contains brown trout and native brook trout. Several miles of the creek are designated as delayed harvest, artificial lure only. The PA Fish and Boat Commission stocks Lake Frances and Nescopeck Creek. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations apply. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site. |
Hunting and Firearms: Most of the park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are white-tailed deer, turkey, black bear, rabbit and gray squirrel. Nescopeck State Park has traditionally been managed for the American woodcock, which can also be found in the park. State Game Land 187, which adjoins the park, provides additional areas open to hunting.
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. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
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.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Environmental Education and Information
The year-round staff provides programming for the school community and the general public.
The park education program strives to teach about the natural world and critical environmental issues facing society. Special emphasis is placed on the education and interpretation of Nescopeck’s unique natural biodiversity.
School students engage in hands-on activities, exploring and learning about the unique ecosystems of the park to further their awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the natural environment.
The education staff offers the Bureau’s Watershed Education program to area high schools, teachers and other groups interested in learning about complex issues within their watersheds.
The education staff conduct teacher workshops based on state and national environmental education curricula and needs as they relate to Department of Education academic standards.
A variety of interpretive programs are available for the general public. These programs focus on the natural, historical and cultural features of the park and region. The park also participates in the Bureau’s Youth Environmental Learning Series. These programs build upon each other giving young people an opportunity to explore and learn about the environment.
In addition to offering quality educational programs, the park is an outdoor natural laboratory for visiting biologists, college interns and resource professionals involved in a variety of biological research projects.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Wildlife Watching
Habitats like the 200 acres of high quality wetlands, rich forests and six miles of the pristine Nescopeck Creek are home to over 160 species of birds, 30 species of amphibians and reptiles and over 600 species of plants. |
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)
Volunteer Opportunities
Nescopeck has a core group of very dedicated Conservation Volunteers who have been involved in many projects that have greatly benefited the park’s natural and cultural resources. Projects include: planting riparian buffer areas along several tributaries in the park, a "Spring Into Action" park clean-up, establishment and maintenance of bluebird and wood duck box programs, research on local bat populations, trail maintenance, providing historical research, and contributing to the park newsletter. For more information on the DCNR Conservation Volunteer Program, contact the park office.
Explore for more information on volunteering for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Nearby Attractions
For information on local attractions and accommodations, contact; Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 888-905-2872, www.tournepa.com.
Two nearby state parks, Hickory Run and Frances Slocum, feature camping, hiking and other attractions. Lehigh Gorge State Park features whitewater boating and biking.
State Game Land 187 borders Nescopeck State Park on three sides.
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:
Hazleton General Hospital
700 E. Broad Street
Hazleton, PA 18201
570-501-4000
For More Information Contact:
Nescopeck State Park
1137 Honey Hole Road
Drums, PA 18222
570-403-2006
Manager: Dave Madl
E-mail: nescopecksp@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.
