Tobyhanna State Park

Tobyhanna State Park is in scenic Monroe and Wayne counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. The 5,440-acre park includes the 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake. Tobyhanna is derived from an American Indian word meaning "a stream whose banks are fringed with alder." Gouldsboro State Park is nearby. Tobyhanna is a featured park, November, in the 2010 Pennsylvania State Parks Calendar.

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Directions - Weather  - Caution  - Recreation  - Trails  - Winter Activities  - Winter Report  - Accessibility  - History  - Wildlife Watching  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

The park entrance is 2.1 miles north of the community of Tobyhanna on PA 423. PA 423 intersects with I-380, 2.5 miles south of the park entrance. The park can also be reached from Interstate 84 via PA 507, PA 191 and PA 423, a total distance of 11.4 miles.

Caution: Please Read

Visitors using more remote and undeveloped areas of Tobyhanna State Park should be aware that they could encounter old, unexploded artillery shells. Three types of shells have been found in the park. The largest projectile is 18 to 24 inches in length and about 6 inches in diameter. The medium projectile is 2.5 inches in diameter and from 10 to 14 inches in length. The smallest projectile is 3 inches long and 1.25 inches in diameter. Shells are found in severely rusted condition without any recognizable markings or imprints. Their overall appearance is that of a pointed cylinder of rusted steel. Visitors encountering such items should not touch, attempt to move or otherwise disturb the items, and should call the park office and report the location to insure proper disposal.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Mountain Biking  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Wildlife Watching  - Snowmobiling  - Ice Fishing  - Ice Skating  - Organized Group Tenting  - Camping

Boating: electric motors only
The 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake has 60 overnight mooring spaces. The 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake has 50 overnight mooring spaces. A boat rental at each lake has rowboats and canoes and is open daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, except in inclement weather. A state park mooring permit is required for overnight mooring and is available at the Tobyhanna State Park office.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. A boat concession rents rowboats, paddleboats, motorboats, canoes and kayaks.

For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Camping: flush toilets and hot showers Tobyhanna’s 140-site camping area opens the second Friday in April and closes the third Sunday in October. A playground is available for children. Trailers and motor homes may use a convenient, sanitary dump station at the campground entrance. Due to the high elevation of nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, campers should be prepared for cool nighttime temperatures, even during the summer months. Pets are permitted at designated campsites for a fee. Pets are permitted on designated sites. Explore the campground map. Explore camping for more information.

Make a reservation

Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the modern campground
The campground host site has amenities including a large wooded campsite, electric hook-up, and free firewood. There is water available nearby and a sanitary dump station. The campground is open from mid April until mid December. Hosts are required to work five days per week including weekends from Memorial Day until Labor Day. A long-term stay is preferred. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.

Organized Group Tent Camping: Tobyhanna has five rustic sites. Sites One to Four accommodate up to 20 people. Site Five accommodates up to 40 people. Or, all sites can be combined to accommodate up to 120 people. The area is adjacent to Parking Lot Four and is open year-round. It has vault toilets and running water.

Explore organized group tenting for more information.

Swimming: The sand beach at Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro state parks are open from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please follow posted rules. The Tobyhanna bathhouse has flush toilets and changing areas. Showers are available for a fee. Gouldsboro has rustic restrooms.

Picnicking: Picnicking is permitted throughout the year. Tobyhanna State Park provides four picnic areas with picnic tables and charcoal grills. Three of the areas are wooded and one is in an open, grassy area. A small playfield is near Parking Area 4. There is an ADA accessible picnic pavilion. Picnic pavilions can be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. If unreserved the picnic pavilion is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Make a reservation

Fishing: The common fish in the 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake and the 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake are bass, pickerel, yellow perch, catfish and sunfish. Tobyhanna Lake also has brook trout. Gouldsboro Lake also has muskellunge, walleye, crappie, sucker and fallfish. An ADA accessible fishing pier is available at each park.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Hunting and Firearms: Most of Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro state parks are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are white-tailed deer, black bear, snowshoe hare, squirrel and turkey. Furbearers include beaver, muskrat, mink, fox, coyote and raccoon. Hunting is also permitted in nearby state game lands 127 and 312.

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.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Mountain Biking: In Gouldsboro State Park, Old 611 and Prospect Rock trails begin in the day use area. In Tobyhanna State Park, Lakeside Trail is an improved surface trail that circles the lake and borders the Black Bear and Bender Swamps Natural Area.

Trails

Trails at Tobyhanna

The rugged terrain of Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro state parks makes for challenging but rewarding hiking. All trails are blazed. Double blazes indicates a change of direction or a junction of two trails.

Follow these rules for a safe hike:

• An adult should accompany children.
• Be sure to wear hiking boots.
• Motor vehicles are not permitted on the trails, except snowmobiles are permitted on designated trails.

Lakeside Trail: 5.1 miles, blue blaze, easy hiking
This improved trail has a hardened base for hiking and bicycling in summer and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter. Although not recommended for people with disabilities, wheelchair users have completed the trail. Part of the trail is on the paved road. Allow at least 2.5 hours to complete the entire trail around Tobyhanna Lake.

Yellow Trail: 3.3 miles, yellow blaze, difficult hiking
It is a 6.6-mile walk from the trailhead on Lakeside Trail to PA 196 and back. Allow three hours for this trip. Yellow Trail is a very demanding hike and should not be attempted without the proper hiking footwear. An adult should accompany children and no one should hike the trail alone. Be prepared to ‘rock hop’ and cross a few minor wet areas. This trail follows the border of the Black Bear and Bender Swamps Natural Area and passes through several other wetlands and boulder fields created by the last glacial period.

Trails at Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro

Frank Gantz Trail: 3.2 miles, red blaze, difficult hiking
Frank Gantz Trail connects to Tobyhanna at Lakeside Trail and to Gouldsboro in the south day use parking lot. Children should not hike this trail without adult supervision. Special care is needed to cross PA Route 4013 (Tobyhanna Road). This is a very demanding trail with many areas where ‘rock hopping’ is necessary. Good hiking boots are essential to a pleasant and safe hike. Allow at least three hours for a round trip.

Winter Activities

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Ice Fishing: 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake and the 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake are popular for ice fishing. Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Snowmobiling: Tobyhanna State Park provides a one-way snowmobile trail 5.5 miles in length that runs counterclockwise on Lakeside (Blue) Trail. The trail begins at Lot One, which has restrooms, parking and unloading space. Conditions permitting, snowmobiles may be operated only on the designated, one-way trail from the day after the last deer season in December until April 1. Operators and passengers must follow the PA Snowmobile Law. Please remember to respect the environment and the rights of others.

Ice Skating: Ice skating is available as natural conditions permit. Tobyhanna State Park has a 1.2-acre area near Parking Area 3. Gouldsboro State Park has a 1 acre area near Parking Lot 4. Ice thickness is not monitored. Be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Access for People with Disabilities

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

Volunteers Needed

Tobyhanna State Park Complex is searching for a long-term host to live in our rustic 140-site campground to provide visitor information and perform light maintenance duties. A camp host will need to provide their own camping unit and demonstrate model camping ethics. The park will provide a large wooded campsite with electric hook-up. There is water available nearby and a sanitary dump station. We will also provide free firewood for the duration of your stay. The campground at Tobyhanna is open from about mid-April until mid-December. A long-term host would be needed five days a week including weekends from at least Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day Weekend. If interested, please contact the park manager at 570-894-8336.

Nearby Attractions

Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro state parks are in the famous Pocono Mountain resort area. Nearby attractions include: Lake Wallenpaupack, one of the largest man-made lakes in Pennsylvania; state game lands 127 and 312; Big Pocono State Park at the top of Camelback Mountain, which features a view of three states; and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

For more information about the many attractions and accommodations, please contact: Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, 800-POCONOS, www.800poconos.com.

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital:
Pocono Medical Center
206 East Brown Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-421-4000

For More Information Contact

Tobyhanna State Park
PO Box 387
Tobyhanna, PA 18466-0387
570-894-8336
Manager: William Friese

E-mail: tobyhannasp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.