{{short description|State park in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Lackawanna State Park | image = LSP Icy Lake.jpg | image_caption = Lake Lackawanna | image_alt = Lake | image_size = 280 | location = [[Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|41.55887|-75.70555|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="lackawannasp"/> | area = {{convert|198|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="lackawannasp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1135|ft}} | established = 1972 | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = | free_data = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Lackawanna State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Lackawanna State Park''' is a {{convert|1445|acre|adj=on}}<ref name="lackawannasp" /> [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Benton Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania|Benton]] and [[North Abington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania|North Abington]] townships, [[Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania|Lackawanna County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. Lake Lackawanna, a {{convert|198|acre|adj=on}} man-made lake, is the central focus of recreation at the park. Lackawanna State Park is located near [[Dalton, Pennsylvania|Dalton]] on [[Pennsylvania Route 524]] just off exit 199 of [[Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 81]].
On June 1, 2023, the contractor for the park filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] protection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/mayfield-contractor-bankruptcy-stops-lackawanna-000500544.html|title=Mayfield contractor bankruptcy stops work on new Lackawanna State Park campground|date=June 1, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2023|website=Yahoo|language=en}}</ref>
==History== ===Indian Path=== Lackawanna State Park is named for the nearby [[valley]] of the [[Lackawanna River]]. The word comes from the [[Lenape]] "le-can-hanna", meaning "stream that forks". This native tribe occupied the area for many years using a trail that led north to the territories of present-day [[New York (state)|New York]] state. The first white settlers in the area used this same path as well and gradually built homes and [[farm]]s along this route.<ref name="lackawannasp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/lackawanna-state-park |title=Lackawanna State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-06}}</ref>
===Racecourse, railroads, and farms=== The farmers of the Lackawanna Valley organized a fair in 1898. This fair, named the Maitland Fair and Driving Park Association, was held for at least twelve years. A horse racing course was built on the fairgrounds on what is currently the park campgrounds. Ownership of the land next fell into the hands of a small railroad that felt it was being overcharged for [[water]] by the Scranton Gas and Water Company. The railroad had intended to build a [[reservoir]] to meet its needs for water. The plans for the building of the reservoir were dropped when the railroad and water company reached an agreement over the price of water. Next the land was rented to [[farmer]]s by the railroad and later by Robert Moffat, a prominent Scranton [[coal]] baron. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land in 1968. The state built Lake Lackawanna and opened the park to the public on June 10, 1972.<ref name="lackawannasp"/>
==Recreation== ===Lake Lackawanna=== Lake Lackawanna is a 198-acre (80 ha) man-made lake. The lake is {{convert|2.5|mi}} long. It has {{convert|7.5|mi}} of shoreline. The lake was created by the Commonwealth by damming [[South Branch Tunkhannock Creek]] and its tributary [[Kennedy Creek (Pennsylvania)|Kennedy Creek]]. The lake is open to boating and [[fishing]]. [[Sailboat]]s, [[canoe]]s, and row boats are common sights on the lake. Gas-powered boats are not permitted on the lake, but boats powered by electric motors may be taken on the waters of Lake Lackawanna. Lake Lackawanna has cold and warm water fisheries. The lake and creek are stocked with [[largemouth bass]], [[trout]], [[American pickerel|pickerel]], [[channel catfish]], [[Ameiurus|bullhead]], and [[muskellunge]]. The lake is open to [[ice fishing]] and ice skating during the winter months.<ref name="lackawannasp"/>
===Hunting and trails=== [[File:Lackawanna State Park - Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|A bluebird box]] [[Hunting]] is permitted on about {{convert|500|acre}} of Lackawanna State Park. Hunters must follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The common game species are [[ruffed grouse]], [[eastern gray squirrel|squirrels]], [[wild turkey|turkey]], [[white-tailed deer]], and [[eastern cottontail|rabbits]]. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited. Hunters, [[hiking|hikers]], [[horseback riding|horseback riders]], and [[mountain biking|mountain bike riders]] share {{convert|15|mi}}<ref name="lackawannasp" /> of multiuse trails at Lackawanna State Park. Trailheads are at the States Creek Mooring Area and on Rowlands, Wallsville and Austin roads. There are an additional {{convert|3|mi}} of hiking-only trails. The trails loop through the park passing by the lake, through forests and fields, and by woodland streams.<ref name="lackawannasp"/>
===Camping, picnicking and swimming=== The 61-site campground at Lackawanna State Park is open to [[tent]]s and [[Recreational vehicle|RVs]]. It is within walking distance of Lake Lackawanna. The campsites have electric hook-ups and there is a modern washhouse with restrooms and showers with hot water. There are three large areas for group tenting at Lackawanna State Park. This camping area has a modern wash houses as well as several fire rings and [[picnic table]]s. The picnic area is by the lake near the [[swimming pool]]. The pool is open [[Memorial Day]] weekend until [[Labor Day]] weekend from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm.<ref name="lackawannasp"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/lackawanna-state-park Lackawanna State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources *{{cite web|url= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/lackawanna/lackawanna_mini.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110609211432/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/lackawanna/lackawanna_mini.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= June 9, 2011 |title=Lackawanna State Park Official map }} {{small|(627 KB)}}
{{Protected areas of Pennsylvania}}
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[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1972]] [[Category:1922 establishments in Pennsylvania]]