Hiking at Lackawanna State Park
18 miles of trails
A series of looping trails limited to foot traffic wander through the campground and day use areas of the park. Additional multi-use trails explore forests, fields, lakeshore areas, and woodland streams.
Lackawanna State Park Trail Map (PDF)
Trail Definitions
Difficulty Ratings
Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.
Trail Route Type
Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.
Abington Trail
2.0 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables
This remaining portion of Abington Trail is one of the oldest and longest trails originally created by the park. This loop circles portions of South Shore and Turkey Hill and is bisected by Route 407. Trail users may see remnants of the old ski lodge along this trail near South Shore.
Bassett Path
0.75 mile | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Bassett Path is one of the steepest trails within the Lackawanna trail system. This trail may be accessed from Lakeshore Trail or Kennedy Creek Trail.
Bear Paw Trail
0.5 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Bear Paw begins from Route 524, travels uphill through an old orchard, and connects with Turkey Hill Trail.
Beechwoods Trail
1.1 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail picks up after Grouse Trail and continues uphill behind Fox Run Campground Loop. Watch for towering American Beech trees. In fall, beechnuts are a vital food source bears, squirrels, turkeys and grouse. This trail is popular for cross-country skiing in winter.
Bull Hill Trail
1.0 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
Bull Hill trail offers the most change in elevation the park has to offer. This out-and-back trail may also be used as a loop with Tree Line Trail. Bull Hill also offers access the adjacent conservancy's Ziegler Preserve. The trail travels along Whites Creek gradually veering away while gaining elevation. This is another great location for wildlife viewing.
Frost Hollow Trail
2.0 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
Frost Hollow Trail runs between South Shore mooring area and Lackawanna Lake Dam. The trail offers open views of conifer trees as it winds parallel to the lake. The dam side may be accessed from Austin Road and offers views of Lackawanna Dam and the South Branch Tunkhannock Creek.
Grouse Trail
1.1 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Grouse trail continues from Spruce Trail and winds along behind the campground. Hikers may find old apple trees from past orchards and farmland. This trails follows a small stream bed in sections, before turning uphill.
Joey's Trail
0.2 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Joey's Trail offers an alternate route to Turkey Hill Trail.
Kennedy Creek Trail
1.0 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Kennedy Creek Trail may be accessed from Rowlands Road parking lot. This trail offers access to Lee Hill, Lakeshore and Bassett trails.
Lakeshore Trail
1.5 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Lakeshore Trail starts at the trailhead locate along Route 438. This family-friendly trail offers the best views of the lake. The trail connects to Lee Hill, Kennedy Creek or Ranger trails.
Lee Hill Trail
1.5 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Lee Hill loop may be accessed from Lakeshore or Kennedy Creek Trails. This trail offers a modest change in elevation as it circles across the top of Lee Hill.
North Woods Trail
2.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking
Trailhead amenities: none
North Woods Trail starts at the dam and works its way steadily uphill, crossing routes 438 and 407 before ending at Trostle Pond. This trail passes through Eastern Hemlock groves near the dam and hardwood forest as it gains elevation.
Orchard Trail
1.0 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables
Orchard Trail begins opposite the parks main entrance and travels north along the lake ending near Bull Hill and Bullhead Bay. This segment of trail offers some of the best views of the lake.
Ranger Trail
1.0 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Ranger trail begins at Route 524 and travels along the Kennedy Creek inlet. This trail crosses Route 524 again and continues on to Turkey Hill Trail.
Snowflake Trail
0.5 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Snowflake Trail starts and ends along Frost Hollow Trail, offering an alternative route that runs closer to lake edge. Frost Hollow and Snowflakes Trails can be combined into a loop to return back to the trailhead.
South Branch Trail
1.5 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
South Branch Trail travels through a field as it follows the South Branch Tunkhannock Creek. The trail eventually leaves park property and continues on to Messimer Preserve. This family-friendly hike is ideal for viewing aquatic wildlife.
Spruce Trail
1.2 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Spruce loop is located behind the campground contact station. As the name suggests, this modest path loops through spruce trees, as well Eastern Hemlock stands that offer cooler temperatures in the summer.
Tree Line Trail
1.0 mile | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
Tree Line Trail is a mowed path that circles our large field next to the Bull Hill parking lot. Tree Line Trail connects at the very top giving access to Bull Hill Trail and leading to Ziegler Preserve. This area is home to the radio-controlled flying field. Tree Line is a common area where pheasants are stocked and hunters will often use this location to train hunting dogs. Trail users should be mindful of the season and use caution when using the trail.
Tunnel Trail
0.01 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables
This connector trail runs under the road from the park office parking area to Turkey Hill Trail.
Turkey Hill Trail
1.0 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Turkey Hill Trail is a family-friendly trail suitable for beginner mountain bikers. This trail offers subtle inclines and open space to maneuver. This loop offers access to other trails within the Turkey Hill area.
Woodland Ponds Trail
0.75 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
This small loop may be accessed from Beechwood Trail or North Woods Trail. It may also be accessed from the top of the campground road opposite Little Fern Campground loop. Hikers will find two small ponds and a vernal pool hidden in the woods along this trail. This hike offers a wide variety of flora, including wetland wildflowers like Marsh Marigold and White Turtlehead. Keep your ears tuned to the calls of a variety of frogs from the edges of the ponds.