Exploring Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County

Collage of scenes from Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County featuring a lakeside trail, rocky Nescopeck Creek, autumn foliage around Lake Frances, and the park entrance sign.

Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County offers visitors 3,550 acres of pristine forests, wetlands, and streams to explore.

Scenic view of Lake Frances at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with lily pads in the foreground, a forested shoreline, and blue skies reflecting on the calm water.

From fishing to hiking to fall foliage viewing, the park provides something for nature lovers year-round.

Hiking trail at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County covered in fallen leaves, surrounded by colorful autumn foliage and tall trees.

With its scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere, it’s a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Wooden footbridge surrounded by dense green forest along the trail leading to the visitor center at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County.

Directions & Hours

The park office at Nescopeck State Park is located at 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums, PA 18222.


The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset, with day use areas closing at dusk.

Boat launch at Lake Frances in Nescopeck State Park, surrounded by calm blue water and vibrant autumn foliage reflecting on the lake’s surface.

Things to Do at Nescopeck State Park

Fishing is one of the most popular activities at Nescopeck State Park, with both 9-acre Lake Frances and Nescopeck Creek stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Nescopeck Creek flowing through dense green forest at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County, with calm water reflecting the surrounding trees.

Anglers can cast their lines from the lake’s boat launch or along the creek’s shaded banks.

Boat launch at Lake Frances in Nescopeck State Park surrounded by calm water covered in lily pads and lush green forest on a summer day.

For hikers, the park boasts 19 miles of trails that wind through forests, fields, and wetlands, providing endless opportunities to explore the diverse habitats.

Trail at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County lined with brilliant autumn foliage, golden leaves, and patches of sunlight filtering through the trees.

Some trails follow the shoreline of Lake Frances, offering peaceful views of the water and surrounding hills.

Gravel trail winding along the edge of Lake Frances at Nescopeck State Park, with tall grasses, calm water, and lush green forest in the background.

Others lead deep into the woods, where birdwatchers and wildlife photographers will find plenty to enjoy.

Wood Frog Loop Trailhead at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County marked by a wooden sign and gate surrounded by lush green forest.

In autumn, the park comes alive with brilliant colors as the foliage along the trails and around Lake Frances reaches its peak.

View of Lake Frances at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County framed by colorful autumn trees, with forested hills rising in the background.

The Wood Frog Loop Trail is a favorite for fall hikes, with golden leaves carpeting the forest floor.

Wood Frog Loop Trail at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County covered in colorful autumn leaves with a wooden trail sign in the foreground.

Visitors also flock to the Lake Trail, which circles Lake Frances and offers beautiful water views year-round.

Lake Trail sign at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County with Lake Frances, a boat launch, and surrounding forest visible in the background.

The Nescopeck State Park Visitor Center is a must-see stop, featuring educational dioramas that showcase the park’s wildlife and habitats.

Educational display inside the Nescopeck State Park visitor center featuring wetland habitats, wildlife models, and interpretive signs about biodiversity.

Just across from the Visitor Center, the pollinator garden blooms in summer with vibrant flowers attracting butterflies and bees.

Stone path leading through the vibrant pollinator garden at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County, surrounded by blooming yellow and purple flowers.

Picnicking is another popular pastime, with tables situated near the lake offering scenic spots to relax after a hike.

Picnic table overlooking Lake Frances at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County, surrounded by lush greenery and calm reflective waters.

The park’s bridges over Nescopeck Creek provide great vantage points for photography and birdwatching.

Wooden bridge spanning Nescopeck Creek at Nescopeck State Park, surrounded by lush green forest and reflected in the calm creek water.

With so many trails and quiet corners to explore, Nescopeck State Park offers something new every visit.

Nescopeck Creek winding through colorful autumn foliage at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County, with reflections of trees on the calm water.

Final Thoughts

Nescopeck State Park, a true highlight of Luzerne County, offers excellent opportunities for fishing, hiking, and enjoying the scenery.

Nescopeck State Park visitor center in Luzerne County surrounded by colorful autumn trees, with a paved walkway leading to the entrance.

Its trails, waters, and wildlife provide a peaceful retreat for visitors of all ages and interests.

Rocky stretch of Nescopeck Creek flowing through dense green forest at Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County on a summer day.

Nearby Attractions

Eckley Miners’ Village in Luzerne County offers an authentic glimpse into 19th-century anthracite coal mining and daily life in a historic patch town.

Collage of four photos showcasing Eckley Miners’ Village in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, featuring rows of preserved 19th-century miners’ houses, the red company store with railroad tracks in the foreground, a recreated miner’s bedroom with period furnishings and artifacts, and the entrance sign marking the historic coal patch town museum operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

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.

Buttermilk Falls is a 35 foot-tall roadside waterfall located in Luzerne County.

A captivating image of Buttermilk Falls in the Bear Creek Preserve, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, featuring multi-tiered waterfalls spilling over layered rock formations. The falls are flanked by verdant forest trees, some clinging to the last of their autumn leaves, with the forest floor adorned with a scattering of brown foliage. The water, appearing silky and white, contrasts with the dark, wet rocks, offering a visual symphony of natural beauty and serene woodland charm.

Little Shickshinny Falls is a beautiful 25-foot tall waterfall located on State Game Lands 260, just west of the town of Shickshinny in Luzerne County.

Little Shickshinny Falls in August 2023.

Concrete City is one of the most-famous ghost towns in Pennsylvania, and it lies tucked away in an overgrown, wooded plot of land on the outskirts of Nanticoke, in Luzerne County.

Exploring Concrete City in Nanticoke Pennsylvania.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.