Tobyhanna State Park

Find Your Way to This Explosive Adventure

Contributing Writer: Jade Braun

Nestled in the heart of Monroe and Wayne counties in northeastern Pennsylvania lies the Tobyhanna State Park, a 5,440-acre park that boasts stunning natural beauty and a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages. The park includes the 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake, which serves as a focal point for many of the park's recreational activities. The name Tobyhanna comes from an American Indian word that means "a stream whose banks are fringed with alder." This historic destination is perfect for anyone ready to explore the beautiful wilderness of the Poconos.

Visitors can explore the park's varied landscapes through fishing , biking, and boating. The Lakeside Trail, which circles Tobyhanna Lake in a five-mile loop, is a popular spot for hikers and mountain bikers in the warmer months. In the winter, the trail is open to snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. The Range Trail is a great option for a challenging adventure, with passing through swamps, wetlands, and boulder fields. While the Frank Gantz Trail is the most difficult, connecting Tobyhanna State Park to Gouldsboro State Park nearly 3 miles away. No matter the path you take at Tobyhanna State Park, you are sure to find adventure awaiting you.

Visitors can also rent a boat or bring their own to explore the lake, with rentals available from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day! Enjoying a whole day on the lake is common for locals and visitors alike. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy the warm waters of Tobyhanna Lake, home to bass, pickerel, yellow perch, catfish, sunfish, and even brook and brown trout. Visitors can borrow rods and reels through the park's Borrow a Rod & Reel program, provided they have a PA fishing license. Meanwhile, the sandy beach area, open from late May to mid-September, offers a refreshing respite during the hot summer months. The scenery offers a perfect background for any meal or quick break before your next destination. The park also offers plenty of picnic areas, with tables and charcoal grills scattered throughout the woods and fields.

For those looking to spend more time in the park, Tobyhanna State Park has campsites complete with modern facilities, picnic tables, fire rings, and a playground. With 140 mixed-use sites available for RVs and tents, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Poconos for a longer stay.

It is important to note that visitors using more remote and undeveloped areas of Tobyhanna State Park should be aware of the possibility of encountering old, unexploded artillery shells. Tobyhanna State Park for many years was used as an artillery range until the end of World War II. Since the 1990s over 2,800 unexploded shells have been recovered. Three types of shells have been found in the park, with the largest projectile measuring 18 to 24 inches in length and about six inches in diameter. Visitors encountering such items should not touch, attempt to move, or otherwise disturb them and should call the park office to report their location for proper disposal.

In conclusion, Tobyhanna State Park is a hidden gem in northeastern Pennsylvania, offering visitors a plethora of activities to enjoy amidst the beauty of nature. Whether it's hiking through the mountains, biking around the lake, or picnicking in the woods, Tobyhanna State Park is the perfect destination for a day trip or a longer stay.

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