If you are looking for a peaceful and scenic place to enjoy nature, you should definitely visit Nescopeck State Park. This park is one of the newest and largest state parks in Pennsylvania, covering 3,550 acres of wetlands, forests, fields, and streams. It is located in Luzerne County, about 10 miles south of Wilkes-Barre, and offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages and interests.
One of the best ways to explore the park is by walking on its 19 miles of trails. These trails range from easy to moderate in difficulty and length, and allow you to discover the diverse habitats and wildlife of the park. You can walk along the beautiful Nescopeck Creek, which is a high-quality cold-water fishery with trout and other species. You can also hike up to Mount Yeager or Nescopeck Mountain, which offer stunning views of the valley and the surrounding area. You can also stroll through quiet forests, open meadows, and marshy wetlands, where you can see over 160 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 600 species of plants.
The trails are open year-round for walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. They are well-marked with signs and blazes, and there are benches and picnic tables along the way where you can rest and enjoy the scenery. The trails are also pet-friendly, as long as you keep your furry friends on a leash. However, mountain biking is not allowed on any of the trails in the park.
Another attraction of the park is Lake Frances, a 9-acre man-made lake that was created in 1971. The lake is a popular spot for fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. The lake has a boat launch and a beach area with restrooms and changing facilities. The lake is stocked with panfish, bass, and trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
If you want to learn more about the park’s natural history and resources, you can visit the Raphael J. Musto Visitors and Environmental Education Center. This center opened in 2004 and serves as the park’s office and classroom. The center has exhibits on the park’s wildlife, plants, geology, history, and conservation efforts. The center also offers year-round programs and events for visitors of all ages and interests.
The center is also a green building that uses sustainable strategies and techniques to reduce its environmental impact. Some of these features include biodegradable or recycled materials, geothermal heating and cooling system, natural daylighting and ventilation, low-flow toilets and faucets, automatic hand dryers, and solar panels.
If you are looking for a relaxing and scenic hike in Pennsylvania, you should definitely check out the Nescopeck Trail at Nescopeck State Park. This trail is one of the most popular and beautiful trails in the park, as it follows the meandering Nescopeck Creek and passes through diverse habitats such as forests, fields, and wetlands.
The trail offers plenty of opportunities to observe and appreciate the natural wonders of the park. You can see a variety of plants and animals, such as wildflowers, ferns, mushrooms, birds, deer, beavers, and otters. You can also fish for trout in the creek, which is stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
If you are looking for a longer or more challenging hike, you can also explore some of the other trails in the park, such as Lupine Loop, Farmstead Trail, or Creekside Trail. These trails connect to the Nescopeck Trail and offer different perspectives of the park’s habitats.
If you want to get a glimpse of the park in the area around Lake Frances and some of the Nescopeck Trail, check out our video below!