Nescopeck State Park

Hiking   -  Fishing   -  Hunting   -  Education   -  Cross-country Skiing  

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Fishing: The 9-acre Lake Frances has trout, bass and panfish. A well-used trail circles Lake Frances and provides great fishing access throughout the year. Six miles of Nescopeck Creek is designated as a high quality, cold-water fishery and contains brown trout and native brook trout. Several miles of the creek are designated as delayed harvest, artificial lure only. The PA Fish and Boat Commission stocks Lake Frances and Nescopeck Creek. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations apply.

Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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Hunting and Firearms: Most of the park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are white-tailed deer, turkey, black bear, rabbit and gray squirrel. Nescopeck State Park has traditionally been managed for the American woodcock, which can also be found in the park. State Game Land 187, which adjoins the park, provides additional areas open to hunting.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

Complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

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Hiking: 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 beautiful Nescopeck Creek.

Due to the unique natural resources in the park, mountain biking is prohibited on park trails.

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Winter Activities

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Explore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths.

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Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing: These popular winter sports are permitted on all trails throughout the park. The ungroomed trails are relatively flat or have slight grades making them a great way to explore the park during winter.

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Trash Disposal and Recycling

Nescopeck State Park participates in a carry-in/carry-out trash disposal program for small parks. There are no trash collection or recycling facilities. Visitors are asked to limit the amount of disposable items brought to the park and to take home all trash and recyclables.

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Environmental Education and Interpretation

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The year-round staff of the environmental education center provides programming for the school community and the general public.

The park education program strives to teach about the natural world and critical environmental issues facing society. Special emphasis is placed on the education and interpretation of Nescopeck’s unique, natural biodiversity.

School students engage in hands-on activities, exploring and learning about the unique ecosystems of the park to further their awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the natural environment.

The education staff offers the Bureau’s Watershed Education program to area high schools, teachers and other groups interested in learning about complex issues within their watersheds.

The education staff conducts teacher workshops based on state and national environmental education curricula and needs as they relate to Department of Education academic standards.

A variety of interpretive and recreational programs are available for the general public. These programs focus on the natural, historical and cultural features of the park and region. The park also participates in the Bureau’s DiscoverE program, which gives young people an opportunity to explore and learn about the environment.

In addition to offering quality educational programs, the park is an outdoor natural laboratory for visiting biologists, college interns and resource professionals involved in a variety of biological research projects.

Explore theCalendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

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Access for People with Disabilities

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

 

Habitats like the 200 acres of high quality wetlands, rich forests and six miles of the pristine Nescopeck Creek are home to over 160 species of birds, 30 species of amphibians and reptiles and over 600 species of plants.

Keep in Touch

Add yourself to the DCNR's online community to receive info on this park, or parks in general.

Volunteering

Like to spend time in the outdoors, meet friendly people and help make Pennsylvania State Parks great? Volunteering at a park might be for you.

Becoming a Conservation Volunteer is easy.

• Sign up to be a Conservation Volunteer
  OR
• Contact your local state park directly and ask for the Conservation Volunteer coordinator - you'll be hooked up with an interesting and appropriate project in Pennsylvania's natural resources.
   

Volunteers Needed

Nescopeck has a core group of very dedicated Conservation Volunteers who have been involved in many projects that have greatly benefited the park’s natural and cultural resources. Projects include: planting riparian buffer areas along several tributaries in the park, a “Spring Into Action” park cleanup, establishment and maintenance of bluebird and wood duck box programs, research on local bat populations, trail maintenance and providing historical research. For more information on the DCNR Conservation Volunteer Program, contact the environmental education center.

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Believing that each generation is responsible for leaving behind a better legacy of good conservation, the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) was created in 1999 to give supporters and users of Pennsylvania's parks and forests a positive way to contribute to the conservation of our publicly-owned properties. The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation welcomes the support of individuals and businesses who share a commitment to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, scenic, and recreational areas of this commonwealth. www.paparksandforests.org

Make a Donation

To a park - find this park's address below

To a park or the Bureau of State Parks - Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation www.paparksandforests.org

Through a purchase at a park gift shop

Thank you for your support!

Education Programs

We love when young people ask us how to get involved!

DiscoverE has programs for young people ages 4 to 17, provided by Pennsylvania State Park educators. By combining recreation and education, we hope to motivate children to learn more and return often, leading to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment and conservation leadership. 

In Watershed Education, teachers and students assess water quality of a local stream on a quarterly basis and develop strategies to solve local water quality problems. 

ECO Camp - Exploring Careers Outdoors - is a week-long residential camp for a cross-section of high school youth from across Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Participate in action-packed, hands on activities and recreational adventures in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests that expose youth to conservation, recreation and careers in natural resources. Learn how people make a living working in the outdoors.

Explore education for more information on these and other programs.

Explore the Calendar of Events to find a program near you.

iConservePA

Do you take conservation personally? iConservePA is a Web site managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources whose vision is to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices and experience the outdoors. Take conservation personally.

Come Work with Us

Pennsylvania State Parks and the Department of Conservation and Natrual Resources offer a wide range of civil service and non-civil service jobs, from foresters, to rangers, to engineers, to educators, to botanists and so much more. Learn what is currently available.

Tell us What You Think

Contact this park with compliments, concerns and issues about the park.

Nescopeck State Park

Nearby Attractions

Information on nearby attractions is available from the Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau. www.tournepa.com

Two nearby state parks, Hickory Run and Frances Slocum, feature camping, hiking and other attractions. Lehigh Gorge State Park features whitewater boating and biking.

State Game Land 187 borders Nescopeck State Park on three sides.

Maps and Downloadables

Below are many of the maps and publications for this park. You can read them or download them and might need special software (all free) to view the publications.

You must have the free Adobe Reader to view the maps and brochures that are in pdf format (.pdf).

Alternate versions of the text of the brochures are in rich text and text formats. Click on the files to view them. To download (.rtf) files:
For Windows users, right click on the link then left click on "Save target as" to download the file to your computer. For Mac users, hold down the "Options" button and click on the link, then select "Save" to download the file to your computer.

Recreational Guide

Nescopeck State Park Map (.pdf) (885 kb, 3/11)
Nescopeck State Park Recreational Guide (.pdf) (328 kb, 3/11)
    large print version of the guide text (.rtf)

Interactive GIS Map

The Interactive GIS Map uses Geographic Information Systems to create a map that does not need to be downloaded and features driving directions, searchable park amenities and customizable maps. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources and driving directions usually go to the nearest large road.

Bird Checklist

Nescopeck State Park Bird Checklist (.pdf) (3,026 kb, 3/11)

Common Birds Brochure

Common Birds of Nescopeck State Park (.pdf) (390 kb, 3/11)