State Parks Near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
21 state park units lie within 50 miles of Wilkes-Barre, including 1 park across the line in New Jersey. The closest is Frances Slocum State Park, about 7 mi north of town. 9 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Frances Slocum State Park7 mi north
- Within 25 miles
- 9of 21 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 117 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 8pets allowed
State parks near Wilkes-Barre, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Wilkes-Barre; driving distance is usually longer.
Frances Slocum State Park
The park supports snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. The official site lists about 13.7 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Frances Slocum State Park →Nescopeck State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, fishing, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 19 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Nescopeck State Park →Lehigh Gorge State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and boating. The official site lists about 33 miles of trails. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Lehigh Gorge State Park →Hickory Run State Park
Things to do include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, golf, winter sports, and disc golf. Its trail network totals roughly 40 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a swimming beach and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Hickory Run State Park →Gouldsboro State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, mountain biking, winter sports, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. The official site lists about 25 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Gouldsboro State Park →Vosburg Neck State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, and hiking. The official site lists about 7 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Vosburg Neck State Park →Ricketts Glen State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, winter sports, and hunting in season. The official site lists about 26 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Ricketts Glen State Park →Lackawanna State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 18 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Lackawanna State Park →Archbald Pothole State Park
Things to do include hunting in season and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Archbald Pothole State Park →Tobyhanna State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. The official site lists about 10 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Tobyhanna State Park →Beltzville State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, mountain biking, winter sports, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. Its trail network totals roughly 15 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Beltzville State Park →Big Pocono State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, mountain biking, winter sports, hunting in season, and biking. Its trail network totals roughly 8.5 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Pocono State Park →Varden Conservation Area
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, fishing, and hiking. On the water side, there is a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Varden Conservation Area →Tuscarora State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Tuscarora State Park →Locust Lake State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. The official site lists about 75 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Locust Lake State Park →Promised Land State Park
Things to do include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, golf, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Its trail network totals roughly 50 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Promised Land State Park →Prompton State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, golf, mountain biking, disc golf, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 26 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Prompton State Park →Worlds End State Park
Things to do include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, and swimming. Its trail network totals roughly 20 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Worlds End State Park →Worthington State Forest
Popular activities here are historic sites, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Overnight options include 6 camping areas, with tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Worthington State Forest →Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. Its trail network totals roughly 19 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center →Salt Springs State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, fishing, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 85 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Salt Springs State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Wilkes-Barre
- Frances Slocum State Park 7 mi north · 85 campsites
- Hickory Run State Park 17 mi south · 17 campsites
- Ricketts Glen State Park 23 mi west · 120 campsites
- Lackawanna State Park 23 mi north · Campground listed
- Tobyhanna State Park 25 mi east · 5 campsites
+ 6 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Wilkes-Barre
- Hickory Run State Park 17 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Ricketts Glen State Park 23 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Lackawanna State Park 23 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Tuscarora State Park 31 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Promised Land State Park 35 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
+ 2 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Wilkes-Barre
- Frances Slocum State Park 7 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Ricketts Glen State Park 23 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Tobyhanna State Park 25 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Tuscarora State Park 31 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Locust Lake State Park 34 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 3 more in the list above
Swimming near Wilkes-Barre
- Frances Slocum State Park 7 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Hickory Run State Park 17 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Gouldsboro State Park 22 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Ricketts Glen State Park 23 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lackawanna State Park 23 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 6 more in the list above
Hiking near Wilkes-Barre
- Frances Slocum State Park 7 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Nescopeck State Park 11 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Lehigh Gorge State Park 14 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Hickory Run State Park 17 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Gouldsboro State Park 22 mi east · Hiking trails listed
+ 16 more in the list above
Fishing near Wilkes-Barre
- Frances Slocum State Park 7 mi north · Fishing listed
- Nescopeck State Park 11 mi south · Fishing listed
- Lehigh Gorge State Park 14 mi south · Fishing listed
- Hickory Run State Park 17 mi south · Fishing listed
- Gouldsboro State Park 22 mi east · Fishing listed
+ 13 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Wilkes-Barre
What is the closest state park to Wilkes-Barre?
Frances Slocum State Park is the closest, about 7 miles north of Wilkes-Barre in a straight line. Next are Nescopeck State Park and Lehigh Gorge State Park.
How many state parks are near Wilkes-Barre?
21 state park units are within 50 miles, and 9 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Wilkes-Barre have camping?
11 parks list camping, the nearest being Frances Slocum State Park, Hickory Run State Park and Ricketts Glen State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Wilkes-Barre?
Yes, at 8 parks, including Frances Slocum State Park, Ricketts Glen State Park and Tobyhanna State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Wilkes-Barre?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Scranton, PA15 mi northeast
- Near Hazleton, PA21 mi south
- Near Bloomsburg, PA35 mi southwest
- Near Pottsville, PA43 mi southwest
- Near Northampton, PA44 mi southeast
- Near Allentown, PA50 mi southeast
- Near Binghamton, NY59 mi north
- Near Williamsport, PA60 mi west
Or see all Pennsylvania state parks, New Jersey state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.