{{Short description|Pennsylvania state park}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Tobyhanna State Park | image = Tobyhanna State Park Lakeshore.jpg | image_caption = | image_alt = Lake | image_size = 280 | location = [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe]] and [[Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Wayne]] counties, [[Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|41.20736|-75.39643|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="tobysp"/> | area = {{convert|5440|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="tobysp"/> | elevation = {{convert|2005|ft}} | established = 1949 | 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 = Tobyhanna State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Tobyhanna State Park''' is a [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] on {{convert|5440|acre|0}} mostly in [[Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Coolbaugh Township]], [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe County]], with a small portion of the park in [[Dreher Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Dreher]] and [[Lehigh Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh]] townships in [[Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Wayne County]], all in [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The park includes the {{convert|170|acre|0|adj=on}} [[Tobyhanna Lake]] and a portion of [[Tobyhanna Creek]]. It is located {{convert|2.1|mi}} north of the town of [[Tobyhanna Township, Pennsylvania|Tobyhanna]], with the main park entrance on [[Pennsylvania Route 423]], and a portion (Yellow hiking trail) that borders on [[Pennsylvania Route 196]]. The park lies immediately adjacent to [[Gouldsboro State Park]], [[Pennsylvania State Game Lands]] 312, and State Game Land 127.
==History==
===Former Artillery Range=== Tobyhanna State Park is one of the state lands carved from a large artillery training range that preceded [[Tobyhanna Army Depot]]. According to the [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources|Pennsylvania DCNR]], {{cquote|Visitors using more remote and undeveloped areas of Tobyhanna State Park should be aware that they may encounter old, unexploded artillery shells. Three types of shells have been found in the park. The largest projectile is {{convert|18|to|24|in|mm}} in length and about {{convert|6|in|mm}} in diameter. The medium projectile is {{convert|2.5|in|mm}} in diameter and about {{convert|10|to|14|in|mm}} in length. The smallest projectile is {{convert|3|in|mm}} long and {{convert|1.25|in|mm}} in diameter. Shells are found in severely rusted condition without any recognizable markings or imprints. Their overall appearance is that of a pointed cylinder of rusted steel. Visitors encountering such items should not touch, attempt to move or otherwise disturb the items, and should call the park office and report the location to ensure proper disposal.}}<ref name="tspgsphistory">{{cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/tobyhannagouldsboro_history.aspx | title = Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro | access-date = 2007-02-13 | publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070204030759/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/tobyhannagouldsboro_history.aspx |archive-date = 2007-02-04}} ''Note: Histories of both state parks''</ref>
===Rail line=== The western boundary of Tobyhanna State Park is formed by a rail line once owned by [[Jay Gould]]. Gould, a native of [[New York (state)|New York]], acquired an immense fortune during the [[Industrial Revolution]], part of which included ownership of ten percent of all the [[rail tracks]] in the United States at the time of his death. One of his [[railroad]]s passed by what is now the western boundary of the park. Gould was also the co-owner of a [[Tanning (leather)|tannery]] in nearby [[Thornhurst Township, Pennsylvania|Thornhurst]]. Raw hides were shipped from the western United States and [[Australia]] on the railroads owned by Gould to the village of Gouldsboro (just west of the park in Wayne County). The hides were then sent to Thornhurst by way of wagons traversing a [[plank road]].<ref name="tspgsphistory"/>
As of 2018, this rail line forms the dividing line between Tobyhanna State Park and [[Gouldsboro State Park]] in Monroe County. It is owned by the [[Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority]] and operated by the [[Delaware–Lackawanna Railroad|Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad]] Co. Inc. Tourist excursions on this line are operated by [[Steamtown National Historic Site]], and run from Steamtown's yard in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]] to [[Tobyhanna Township, Pennsylvania|Tobyhanna]], as well as other nearby destinations including [[Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania|Gouldsboro]], [[Cresco, Pennsylvania|Cresco]], [[East Stroudsburg station|East Stroudsburg]], and [[Delaware Water Gap station (Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad)|Delaware Water Gap]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/tour30.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090830110401/http://www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/tour30.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 30, 2009 | title = Steamtown: Tobyhanna, PA Excursion | access-date = 2006-12-30 | publisher = [[National Park Service]], [[US Department of the Interior]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/MAPS/Statewide/parail.PDF | server = Pennsylvania Department of Transportation | url-status = dead | title = 2006 Railroad Map of Pennsylvania | access-date = 2006-12-30 }}(shows owners and operators)</ref> This rail line is part of [[Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project|the plan to resume passenger rail service]] between [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton, PA]] and [[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken, NJ]] via the [[Lackawanna Cut-Off|Lackawanna Cutoff]], with trains operated as part of the [[NJ Transit Rail Operations|NJ Transit Rail]] System.
==Facilities== [[File:Tobyhanna pier.jpg|thumb|Fishing pier and boat rental]] [[Rowboat]]s and [[canoe]]s can be rented at Tobyhanna Lake daily from [[Memorial Day]] Weekend to [[Labor Day]], except in inclement weather. 60 overnight mooring spaces are available under permit. Boats must be registered and can only use electric motors. A sand beach (un[[lifeguard|guarded]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=384046 |title=Pa. state parks going without life guards at beaches in 2008 |access-date=2008-02-19 |publisher=[[Times Leader]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007235840/http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=384046 |archive-date=2008-10-07 }}</ref>) is open from 8 am to sunset from late May to mid-September. 300 picnic tables and a reservable picnic pavilion are available throughout the year.<ref name="tobysp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/tobyhanna-state-park |title=Tobyhanna State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-21 }}</ref>
==Hiking trails== [[File:Tobyhanna trails.jpg|thumb|left|Left to right: Blue, yellow, and red trails]] The trails in the park are well-marked; often half a dozen bright blazes of paint are visible at once. A {{convert|5.1|mi|adj=on}} blue-blazed trail circles the lake; it is level, well-cleared and generally gravelled; ''"Although not recommended for persons with disabilities, wheelchair users have completed the trail"'' A {{convert|3.3|mi|adj=on}} yellow-blazed trail extending northeast to [[Pennsylvania Route 196]] and a {{convert|3.2|mi|adj=on}} red-blazed trail linking the park to Gouldsboro State Park to the northwest are more difficult to pass due to tree roots and stones.<ref name="tobysp"/>
==Soundscape== The park is close to [[Interstate 380 (Pennsylvania)|Interstate 380]] to the west-southwest, and the western portion of the park suffers frequent vehicular noise. Some vehicle noise is also present to the south of the lake from [[Pennsylvania Route 423]]. (Light plane traffic emanates from the [[Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport|Mount Pocono Municipal Airport]], approximately {{convert|4|mi|adj=on}} to the south. Other noise from park maintenance, constant restroom fans, vending machines, and residential neighbors affect the southern margin of the lake. The quietest portion of the park on marked trails is partway along the yellow trail north of its crossing of the Tobyhanna Creek, where natural sounds prevail a majority of the time.<ref name="tobysp"/>
==Winter facilities== A {{convert|1.2|acre|adj=on}} [[ice skating]] area and a {{convert|5.5|mi|adj=on}} one-way [[snowmobile]] trail are designated during the winter. [[Ice fishing]] is popular, but ice thickness must be monitored by the user.<ref name="tobysp"/>
==Hunting== Hunting is permitted on the park land and adjacent game lands except on Tobyhanna Lake and a small crescent of land to the east of Tobyhanna Lake. Signs demarcate the regions of the park where hunting is permitted, and admonish visitors to wear orange to be seen.<ref name="tobysp"/>
==Accommodations== Five sites are available for organized group tenting of 20-40 people each. A 140-site camping area is available with hand-operated water pumps, flush toilets, and a dump station for trailers. There are several pet friendly sites. There is a pavilion and a separate picnic area, sandbeach, volleyball net as well as swimming in the Tobyhanna Lake.<ref name="tobysp"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Tobyhanna State Park}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/tobyhanna-state-park Tobyhanna State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd2/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003052.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045232/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd2/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003052.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 4, 2016 |title=Tobyhanna State Park official map }} {{small|(908.2 KB)}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}} {{Pocono Mountains}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Pocono Mountains]] [[Category:Parks in Monroe County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Wayne County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Campgrounds in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Monroe County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Wayne County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1949]] [[Category:1949 establishments in Pennsylvania]]