Named after Frances Slocum, a young girl captured by the Lenape people in 1778 who chose to remain with her adopted tribe for life, this 1,035-acre state park in Luzerne County carries a story as compelling as its landscape. Established in 1968, the park centers around Frances Slocum Lake, a 165-acre impoundment that draws anglers chasing warm-water species like bass, muskellunge, and panfish year-round.

The lake anchors most activity here. Non-powered and electric boats glide across the water from a public launch, making it a peaceful alternative to the noisier recreational lakes in northeastern Pennsylvania. A swimming beach opens in summer, giving families a reliable warm-weather destination without the drive to the Poconos.

On land, roughly 11 miles of trails wind through mixed hardwood forests and along the lakeshore. The terrain stays moderate enough for casual hikers while offering enough variety for mountain bikers and cross-country skiers when conditions allow. Birders will find productive habitat along the wetland edges, particularly during spring and fall migration.

Winter brings ice fishing and sledding, extending the park’s usefulness well beyond summer weekends. The surrounding woodlands put on a strong show during peak fall foliage, typically mid-October in this part of the state.

Frances Slocum sits just minutes from Dallas and the Back Mountain communities, making it remarkably accessible for a park that feels genuinely removed from development. It rewards visitors who prefer a quieter, less crowded outdoor experience over Pennsylvania’s bigger-name destinations.

Explore Nearby

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• Y Covered Bridge No. 156 — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania
• Gateway to Amish Country — Scenic Byway in Ohio
• Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area (Trilobite) — Public Land
• US Highway 278 — Scenic Byway in South Carolina