Spend the Day at These State Parks Near Scranton, PA
Whether you like to hike or bike, or you’re looking for a nice spot for a weekend picnic, you will enjoy spending the day at one of these state parks near Scranton, PA. While you’re in the area, stay with us here at the Hotel Anthracite. Our beautiful hotel is less than 20 miles from Scranton and the ideal place to kick up your feet and relax!
For more information on outdoor recreation and state parks near Scranton, PA, be sure to download our Northeastern Pennsylvania Destination Guide. This free guide will help you plan your getaway with helpful tips on what to do and see during your stay. All it takes is your email address, and the guide comes straight to your inbox!
Enjoy an Outdoor Adventure at One of These State Parks Near Scranton, PA
Archbald Pothole State Park
Located about 20 minutes from Scranton (and 10 minutes from Hotel Anthracite) is Archbald Pothole State Park. This 150-acre park is named after the 38-foot deep pothole that was formed 15,000 years ago. Visitors to the park can enjoy the small loop trail through the park. Archbald Pothole State Park is open seasonally from mid-April through late November.
Lackawanna State Park
Lackawanna State Park offers visitors over 1,400 acres to explore. Because the park is only 15 miles from Scranton (and 20 from Carbondale), you’ll be able to take advantage of all the park has to offer in every season. During the winter, visitors can partake in cross-country skiing, ice skating, and sledding. When the weather warms up, be sure to visit the pool area with a splash zone. There are 18 miles of trails with horseback riding and mountain biking permitted on esignated trails. The pdark is open 365 days a year.
Frances Slocum State Park
A popular spot in Pennsylvania for boating and fishing is Frances Slocum State Park. The park is located just 24 miles from Scranton (about an hour from Hotel Anthracite) and has 13.7 miles of trails. One fun trail to experience is the Deer Trail where you’ll trek through a variety of terrain including mixed and hardwood forest. If you love to be on the water, you must take some time to rent rowboats, kayaks, paddle boats, or canoes. Try your hand at fishing in the Frances Slocum Lake and see if you can catch pickerel, walleye, perch, and catfish. Other park activities are ice skating, sledding, hunting, mountain biking, and picnicking.
Promised Land State Park
Promised Land State Park in Greentown, PA, is home to Promised Land Lake and Lower Lake. The drive to the park is less than 40 minutes from Scranton, PA. During your visit, you’ll see the many varieties of trees of the Delaware State Forest and the two sandy beach areas that are open from May to September. Pack a lunch and find one of the picnic areas or two picnic pavilions. Experienced hikers will love this 3,000-acre park because it has 50 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. This park is about an hour from Hotel Anthracite. Stop in the town of Hawley on the way and visit the Hawley Silk Mill for shopping and a bite to eat!
Big Pocono State Park
Enjoy views of three states at Big Pocono State Park. The park is less than an hour from Scranton (and Carbondale) and a perfect spot for a day trip. There are plenty of picnic tables and grills to use at this 1,300-acre state park. Spend your day mountain biking, horseback riding or hiking the 8.5 miles of trails.
After a Day Spent in the Great Outdoors, Retreat Back to Hotel Anthracite!
Hotel Anthracite, formerly the Carbondale Grand Hotel, is a modern hotel with 61 spacious guest suites, a fine dining restaurant, and a cozy café. Our location is great because we are just a short drive from our neighboring cities here in the Pocono Mountains. There is so much to do and see here in the area, and we would love to host you during your visit! Don’t forget to download your free Destination Guide before you arrive so you’ll be in the know of all there is to do and see. We look forward to hosting you in Carbondale very soon!