PA State Parks

Exploring Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County

Collage of four images from Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, featuring a top-down view of the massive glacial pothole, an educational sign explaining its geological formation, a cantilevered observation platform above the pothole, and the wooden park entrance sign near the roadside.

Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County is home to the largest known glacial pothole in the United States.

Overhead view of the enormous glacial pothole at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by a stone wall, safety railings, and lush vegetation growing along the rocky edges of the 42-foot-wide natural formation.

Measuring roughly 38 feet deep and 42 feet wide, this natural wonder was carved into solid rock more than 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age.

Interpretive sign at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, explaining the geological formation of the massive glacial pothole around 20,000 years ago by swirling glacial meltwater, sand, and stones, and presenting multiple scientific theories about how the pothole was created.

While the park itself spans 150 acres, the main attraction is the pothole and the viewing area that surrounds it.

The massive glacial pothole at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, with its steep rocky walls and debris-covered bottom, sits beneath a cantilevered observation deck surrounded by greenery and forest.

Directions to Archbald Pothole State Park

Archbald Pothole State Park is located right along Business Route 6, just north of Scranton, at 960 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Archbald, PA 18403.

History of the Archbald Pothole

The Archbald Pothole was discovered in 1884 by coal miners expanding a shaft when a blast unexpectedly released water and debris into the mine, startling the workers.

Interpretive sign at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, describing the 1883 discovery of the massive glacial pothole by miners who accidentally uncovered it while working a coal seam 45 feet underground, with historical photos and information about the site's preservation.

Once the chaos settled, it became clear they had uncovered a massive glacial feature formed by the swirling force of glacial meltwater carrying abrasive sand and stones.

Looking straight down into the massive glacial pothole at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, where the rocky, leaf-covered interior is surrounded by lush vegetation, moss, and ferns clinging to the steep walls.

This natural formation differs greatly from a typical road pothole, which is caused by freezing and thawing cycles beneath asphalt rather than by millennia of geological erosion.

Close-up view of a typical pothole in a cracked and weathered asphalt road, partially filled with muddy rainwater and surrounded by loose gravel and broken pavement.

The Archbald Pothole was filled with smooth stones and sediment for thousands of years before it was accidentally revealed.

Interpretive sign at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, illustrating how melted glacial ice carrying abrasive sand and stones formed the massive pothole, with diagrams and vintage photos highlighting its depth of 38 feet and a maximum diameter of 42 by 24 feet.

Shortly after its discovery, it became a regional curiosity and tourist destination, with fences erected and tours conducted to showcase it.

View of the fenced perimeter and cantilevered observation platform surrounding the massive glacial pothole at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, with a backdrop of dense forest and paved walkways.

In 1914, ownership of the land transferred to the Lackawanna Historical Society, and eventually to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Side view of the massive glacial pothole at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, with a cantilevered observation deck extending over the edge and surrounded by lush greenery, stone walls, and forested surroundings.

The site officially opened as Archbald Pothole State Park in 1964, offering the public a safe way to view this geologic marvel.

Wooden entrance sign for Archbald Pothole State Park along Business Route 6 in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, set against a backdrop of trees, power lines, and a grassy roadside area.

Visiting Archbald Pothole State Park Today

Today, visitors can walk along paved paths and step out onto a cantilevered platform that provides a dramatic view directly into the ancient pothole.

Cantilevered observation platform at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, extending over the rim of the massive glacial pothole and surrounded by forest trees, chain-link fencing, and lush greenery.

Though the park has no hiking trails, it’s a fascinating and easy-to-access stop for anyone interested in geology or Pennsylvania history.

Looking down into the massive, leaf-filled glacial pothole at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by moss-covered rock walls, ferns, and dense green foliage.

Standing at the edge of the viewing platform, it’s hard not to be awed by the raw natural power that carved such an enormous hole in solid rock.

Close-up view of the interior walls of the massive glacial pothole at Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, showing curved striations in the exposed bedrock, scattered debris at the bottom, and vegetation clinging to the rocky edges.

The Seven Tubs Recreation Area in Luzerne County is a 537-acre site featuring a series of seven sandstone “tubs” that formed over 12,000 years ago, as glacial meltwater eroded the sandstone bedrock along what is now known as Wheelbarrow Run.

A collage of scenes from Seven Tubs Recreation Area in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, showcasing the natural beauty and unique geological formations within the 537-acre park. The top-left image captures a cascading waterfall flowing into a smooth, sandstone tub surrounded by autumn leaves. The top-right image displays a wooden bridge spanning a rocky gorge with water-filled tubs below. The bottom-left image features a hiker standing on a rock ledge, overlooking the gorge and stream as it winds through the sandstone formations. The bottom-right image shows the entrance sign to Seven Tubs Recreation Area, set against a vibrant backdrop of fall foliage. These photos highlight the park's rugged terrain, picturesque trails, and seasonal colors.

Little Rocky Glen Preserve in Wyoming County is a 26-acre nature preserve encompassing a stunning gorge along the South Branch of Tunkhannock Creek, with numerous natural potholes carved into the rocks by years of flowing water.

A collage highlighting the scenic beauty of Little Rocky Glen Preserve in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. The top left image shows a picturesque waterfall flowing over layered rocks, with autumn leaves scattered across the scene. The top right photo captures swirling foam patterns in the creek, bordered by rugged, moss-covered rock formations and vibrant fall foliage. In the bottom left, a hiker in a red sweatshirt stands admiring the view along the South Branch of Tunkhannock Creek, surrounded by natural rock layers and colorful autumn leaves. The bottom right image displays the preserve's trailhead sign, inviting visitors to explore the peaceful forested trails within this 26-acre nature preserve.

Nearby Attractions

13 Must-See Attractions in Lackawanna County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Archbald Pothole State Park.

A collage of four photos taken in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Top left: Historic steam and diesel locomotives displayed at the Steamtown National Historic Site turntable. Top right: A Stegosaurus skeleton on exhibit inside the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, and Art in Scranton. Bottom left: A vibrant mural of Dwight Schrute from the television show "The Office" painted on a wall in Scranton. Bottom right: A serene waterfall flowing through the rocky landscape of Nay Aug Gorge at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

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