Tobyhanna State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Tobyhanna State Park, located in the scenic Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, offers visitors a serene and picturesque natural retreat.


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Summary

With its diverse range of recreational activities, breathtaking landscapes, and fascinating wildlife, the park is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

One of the main reasons to visit Tobyhanna State Park is its abundance of recreational opportunities. The park features a 170-acre lake, which offers excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Boating enthusiasts can bring their own non-powered boats or rent kayaks, paddleboards, or rowboats from the park office. Anglers can try their luck at catching bass, pickerel, perch, and catfish in the lake's well-stocked waters. Additionally, a sandy beach area provides a perfect spot for sunbathing and picnicking.

Hiking enthusiasts will find several trails of varying lengths and difficulties within Tobyhanna State Park. The moderately challenging Lakeside Trail takes visitors on a 5.3-mile loop around the lake, offering stunning views and opportunities for birdwatching. The 1.5-mile Deer Trail is a more leisurely option, winding through a forested area and providing a chance to observe the park's abundant wildlife.

Nature enthusiasts will be delighted by the park's diverse plant and animal life. Tobyhanna State Park is home to a wide range of bird species, including bald eagles, wild turkeys, and various migratory birds. The diverse habitats in the park, such as wetlands, meadows, and forests, provide shelter for many furry residents, including white-tailed deer, black bears, and red foxes.

Interesting facts about Tobyhanna State Park include its historical significance. The park is situated on the site of a former summer resort community, which was eventually acquired by the state in the late 1960s. Today, remnants of the resort, such as concrete foundations and old roads, can still be found within the park, adding a touch of nostalgia and intrigue to visitors' exploration.

The best time to visit Tobyhanna State Park largely depends on personal preferences and interests. Springtime brings an explosion of vibrant wildflowers and the return of migratory birds. Summer allows visitors to enjoy swimming, boating, and other water activities. Autumn paints the park in a riot of colors as the leaves change, creating a picturesque backdrop for hiking and wildlife observation. Winter offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and ice fishing, with the park's frozen lake transforming into a winter wonderland.

To ensure accuracy, it is advisable to verify information about Tobyhanna State Park across multiple independent sources, such as official park websites, regional tourism websites, and reputable travel guides.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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