The Poconos region is home to many spectacular state parks. These parks serve as the launch pads for several recreational activities here in the Poconos. This is a list of the smallest to the largest state parks in the Poconos region based on the area they occupy.
Top 10 State Parks in the Poconos
1. Big Pocono State Park (1,305 acres)
Location: North Eastern Pennsylvania I Monroe County
Description: There are many things to S.E.A (Sights, Eats and Adventures) at the Big Pocono State Park. It is a destination for scenic hikes, pristine picnics and majestic horseback riding trails. Summer and fall are considered the most preferable times to visit this park as the temperature does not go beyond 80s in this region during the summer. The temperature gets colder during fall but makes way for incredible fall foliage.
Things to do in the Park:
- Hiking
- Motor Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnic
- Downhill Skiing
- Leaf Peeping
- Wildlife Photography
2. Frances Slocum State Park (1,306 acres)
Location: North Eastern Pennsylvania I Luzerne County
Description: Frances Slocum State Park is known for its one of a kind horseshoe shaped lake. The lake measures about 165 acres and it is famous for boating and fishing. The park is also home to various species of birds, fish and wildlife.
Things to do in the Park:
- Playground
- Hunting
- Ice Skating
- Ice Fishing
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Historic Sites Tour
3. Gouldsboro State Park (2,880 acres)
Location: North Eastern Pennsylvania I Monroe and Wayne Counties
Description: This Park is open 7 days a week 365 days a year from dawn till dusk. The number one attraction of this state park is the 250‑acre Gouldsboro Lake, which is popular for fishing and boating. The park has hiking, biking and running trails along with perfect picnic spots. The top three trails for hiking in this park are the Old Route 611, Prospect Rock Trail & Frank Gantz Trail.
Things to do in the Park:
- Hunting
- Picnic
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Boating
4. Beltzville State Park (3,000 acres)
Location: Franklin and Towamensing Township I Carbon County I Pennsylvania
Description: The Beltzville State Park was opened in 1972 and it was developed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. The park has a 951.5‑acre lake with a shoreline of 19.8 miles‑ the Beltzville Lake is a prominent fishing spot especially for anglers; the most popular fish species are striped bass, largemouth, smallmouth bass, trout, walleye perch and muskellunge. The lake is also a popular spot for recreational boating activities, ice boating and ice fishing. There are also 4 picnic pavilions and several large picnic areas in this park.
Things to do in the Park:
- Skiing
- Canoeing
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnic
5. Promised Land State Park (3,000 acres)
Location: Green Town I Pennsylvania
Description: Promised Land State Park is one of the “25 must‑see state parks” in Pennsylvania. It has a natural history with versatile wildlife and ecosystems. The park has a good concentration of boglands and evergreen forests, which in turn attracts varieties of birds like the red breasted nuthatch, Blackburnian warbler, northern waterthrush to name a few. The Promised Land State Park is a promising recreational spot, which is also popular for hunting, fishing and ice fishing.
Things to do in the Park:
- Fishing
- Camping
- Hiking
- Forest Exploration
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Educational Programs
6. Nescopeck State Park (3,550 acres)
Location: Butler and Dennison Townships I Luzerne County
Description: Nescopeck State Park is a relatively new state park in Pennsylvania. The park features 19 miles of trails that takes you through forests, wetlands and meadows. In winter, the trails are opened for cross-country skiing. The park also has a 9-acre manmade lake; Lake Frances, which is also a great fishing spot with trout, bass and panfish. The lake is on a tributary of Nescopeck Creek, which is a great cold‑water fishery and a thriving habitat for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants.
Things to do in the Park:
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Watching
- Skiing
7. Tobyhanna State Park (5,440 acres)
Location: Coolbaugh Township I Monroe County
Description: What was once an Artillery Range is now offering a range of recreational activities in the Poconos. The park includes a 170-acre lake (Tobyhanna Lake), which is a portion of Tobyhanna Creek. The lake has access to exciting water sports like canoeing, rowboat, swimming, etc. Ice fishing is also a popular recreational activity in Tobyhanna State Park but it depends on the ice thickness. The park has extremely well‑marked and well‑cleared trails.
Things to do in the Park:
- Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Ice Skating
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling
- Picnicking
- Camping
8. Lehigh Gorge State Park (6,107 acres)
Location: Luzerne and Carbon Counties I White Haven
Description: Lehigh Gorge State Park is the capital of whitewater rafting in the Poconos. It is also famous for the Lehigh Gorge that extends along the Lehigh River from a flood control dam in Luzerne County to Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. The park is also a great spot for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching and sightseeing. In winter, the hiking trails are open for cross‑country skiing.
Things to do in the Park:
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watch
- Whitewater
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Biking
- XC Skiing
- Snowmobiling
9. Hickory Run State Park (16,000 acres)
Location: Kidder and Penn Forest Township I Carbon County
Description: Hickory Run State Park is also one of the top “25 must-see parks” in Pennsylvania. The most notable feature/landmark of this park is the Hickory Run Boulder Field located in the northeast corner. Other recreational activities in the park include hiking; the network of hiking trails in this park is 44 miles long with each trail offering a unique experience. The park also facilitates cross‑country skiing in the winter season.
Things to do in the Park:
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Camping
- Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Disc Golfing
- Wayfinding
- XC Skiing
- Ice Skating
- Snowmobiling
10. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (70,000 acres)
Location: River Road I Bushkill
Description: “The Gap” is the ultimate recreational activity destination in the Poconos. It features many historically significant sites spread across Native American history, Dutch settlements and colonial structures. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has more to offer in just one location.
Things to do in the Park:
- Golfing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Rock Climbing
- Skiing
- Ice Climbing
- Snow Tubing
Where to stay in the Poconos?
Parks in the Poconos are fun to visit and awesome to experience. If you feel like spending more time to take in all its beauty and splendor, you should consider staying in the Poconos for a day or two. Your accommodation options include camping, hotels, resorts and luxury vacation rentals like HolidayKeepers. At HolidayKeepers we offer a variety of accommodation options with world‑class amenities. Visit our website to know more.
Paul P, Senior Editor and Travel Planner at HolidayKeepers, brings over 10 years of experience from New York. He expertly combines storytelling with extensive knowledge in travel and hospitality. Known for turning vibrant travel experiences into engaging articles, Paul covers everything from hidden gems to the latest in vacation rentals, resonating with adventurers and leisure-seekers alike.
