Nescopeck State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- pa.gov(570) 403-2006
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert A drawdown of Lake Frances began on July 21, 2025 for dam work to be completed throughout this fall and winter. This work will include temporary closures of sections of the Lake Trail. Contact the park office for up-to-date… (more)
hroughout this fall and winter. This work will include temporary closures of sections of the Lake Trail. Contact the park office for up-to-date information of the status of the lake and trail accessibility. Update: Due to complications during dam repairs, the drawdown will continue through this Spring 2026 fishing season. Additional testing will be required to determine whether a redesign will be required to complete the scheduled repairs.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Luzerne County, about 10 miles southeast of Nanticoke, Nescopeck State Park covers about 3,632 acres.
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
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The park office is open specific hours. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Aspira), Pennsylvania State Parks contract
- Phone
- 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
Winter sportsCross-country skiingHikingHuntingFishing
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A -- Lupine Loop | 0.7 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This trail travels through the woods and follows a stretch of the Nescopeck Creek. It is possible to connect to Farmstead Trail from Lupine Loop.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| B -- Farmstead Trail | 1.4 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This trail travels through woods, fields, and follows the Nescopeck Creek. It is possible to connect to Lupine Loop from Farmstead Trail.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| C -- Wood Frog Loop | 1.1 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This small loop travels through the woods. Numerous aquatic species can be found in the ponds along the trail.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| D -- Swamp Trail | 0.1 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This is a connector trail that cuts Wood Frog Loop in half. It can only be accessed by hiking Wood Frog Loop.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| E -- Creekside Trail | 1.6 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This wooded trail follows the Nescopeck Creek. This trail can be used to access the Delayed Harvest section of Nescopeck Creek.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| F -- Fern Trail | 0.3 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This is a connector trail and can only be accessed by hiking Creekside Trail.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| G -- Nescopeck Trail | 1.6 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This trail travels through the woods and past the Nescopeck Creek.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| H -- Hill Trail | 0.2 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This is a connector trail and can only be accessed by hiking Nescopeck Trail.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| I -- Lake Trail | 0.6 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches This short loop encircles Lake Frances and is one of the most popular trails in the park. It is entirely contained within the safety zone. A self-guided lake trail brochure (PDF) with numbered educational stops is available at the park office.Hiking |
| J -- Woodland Way | 1.8 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches This wooded trail begins next to the visitor center and includes unnamed connector trails to Honey Hole Road.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| K -- Grouse Trail | 1.4 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This trail meanders through the woods and connects to Woodland Way Trail.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| L -- Mountain Loop | 3 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This trail travels through the woods and is the most difficult trail in the park. It is the only one with a noticeable elevation change.Hiking |
| M -- Oak Trail | 1.3 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This is a connector trail to Mountain Loop and begins are Lake Frances Road. Lake Frances Road is currently closed and gated, so access this trail would require additional hiking up Lake Frances Road.Hiking |
| N -- Reilly Loop | 0.3 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches This short wooded loop travels through our Nature Discovery Area, the woods, and past creeks and a pond. It is a fun trail for kids.Hiking |
| O -- Red Rock Trail | 1.1 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This wooded trail follows the Nescopeck Creek and is accessed by hiking the Nescopeck Trail or Woodland Way Trail.Hiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
19 miles of trails
Many of the trails begin along Honey Hole Road. Visitors can discover the unique habitats in the park on trails that traverse forests, fields, and wetlands. Several trails lead to and parallel the beautiful Nescopeck Creek. Pets must be kept on a leash. Biking is prohibited on all trails at Nescopeck State Park, but is permitted at nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park on the rail-trail.
The letter by the trail names matches the letter on the park map.
Nescopeck State Park Map
Prepare for a Safe Hike
For every hike, even on trails less than a mile -- Always carry water, a park map, and wear appropriate footwear. Cell phones are unreliable in the forest and are not an alternative to a paper map.
For longer adventures -- Pack high-energy snacks, more water, and layers for changing weather conditions. Stay well fueled and hydrated for a more enjoyable experience.
Before embarking on your next adventure, consider:
- Trail length, trail difficulty, and fitness level of your group -- On the park map, most trail lengths are one-way. Double the trail length to return to the starting location.
- Weather forecast -- Be aware of possible upcoming weather and pack accordingly.
- Time of day -- The park closes at sunset. Plan to leave the park well before sunset.
- Have a plan B -- Be flexible! Sometimes changing to a better day or a different trail results in a safer experience.
Accessibility
Nescopeck State Park offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Hunting
This park offers accessible hunting options. Visitors holding a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can contact the park office for more information about accessible hunting locations within the park.
DCNR permits visitors with a DCNR Mobility Device Permit to use powered mobility devices on designated state park and forest lands, including administrative roads and trails not normally open to standard motorized vehicles.
Visitors interested in a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can fill out an application and submit it at any state park or forest office.
Parking area at Lake Frances - Parking lot with ADA parking spaces overlooks lake allowing for visitors to watch eagles, osprey, waterfowl, and more.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 1137 Honey Hole Road
Drums, PA 18222 - Nearest town
- Nanticoke — about 10 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.0907, -75.8805
- Phone
- (570) 403-2006
- nescopecksp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Traveling east on I-80: • Take Exit 262 (Hazleton, Mountain Top - 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 an additional 3.5 miles along Honey Hole Road to enter the Lake Frances Day Use Area. It is on the right just opposite the gated 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 the power lines, turn left onto Honey Hole Road. • Travel 2.5 miles to enter the Lake Frances Day Use Area. It is on the left opposite the gated 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 an additional 3.5 miles along Honey Hole Road to enter the Lake Frances Day Use Area. It is on the right just opposite the gated Lake Frances Road. GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 41.09074 Long. -75.88055
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 3, 2026
- DCNR Find a Park: content-fragment JSON feed used by the pa.gov park finder
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology