Tobyhanna Lake Beach

Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania · on Tobyhanna Lake · Tobyhanna State Park

Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: September

About Tobyhanna Lake Beach

Tobyhanna Lake Beach is the designated swimming hole on 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake inside Tobyhanna State Park in the Pocono Mountains of Monroe County, Pennsylvania. It is an officially maintained sand beach with a bathhouse, open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, and a dependable lake to swim in for the area. The lake itself has a layered history as a commercial ice-harvesting site and a federal military reservation before becoming a state park in 1949.

The beach sits on Tobyhanna Lake, a 170-acre lake within a 5,440-acre state park in the Pocono Mountains, reached from the community of Tobyhanna via PA 423 (park entrance about 2.1 miles north of town) or from I-380/I-84.

Swimming at Tobyhanna Lake Beach

Swimming takes place off a maintained sand beach on the lake, with a bathhouse (flush toilets and pay showers) at the site. The park's swimming page gives no indication of lifeguards, stating swimmers use the beach at their own risk and must follow posted regulations.

How to get to this swimming hole

From the community of Tobyhanna, the state park entrance is about 2.1 miles north on PA 423; the park is also reachable via I-380 (about 2.5 miles from the entrance) or via I-84 to PA 507, PA 191, and PA 423 (about 11.4 miles total).

The hike in

The beach is a developed, drive-up swimming area within the state park rather than a destination reached via a hiking trail.

No hike is required to reach the swimming area. Official sources do not state the exact walk distance from the parking area to the sand, only that it is a maintained beach with an adjacent bathhouse.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Official park pages state swimmers use the designated beach entirely at their own risk with no mention of lifeguards, so young or inexperienced swimmers should be supervised closely. Water depth, bottom composition, and entry slope are not described by any source found.

Restrooms

Yes

Bathhouse at the beach with flush toilets and a changing area; showers are available for an additional (pay) charge.

Hours

Tobyhanna State Park is open year-round, sunrise to sunset. The swimming beach specifically is open seasonally from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, 8:00 a.m. until sunset.

On the water

KayaksCanoesRowboatsElectric motorboat

Restrictions: Electric motors only, slow no-wake speed; gasoline/combustion motors are prohibited on the 170-acre lake. Non-powered personal boats need PA boat registration, a state park launching/mooring permit, or a PA Fish and Boat Commission launching permit.

The park's own boating page lists rental craft as rowboats, kayaks, paddleboats (pedal boats), canoes, and electric motorboats -- note this is 'paddleboats' (pedal boats), not stand-up 'paddleboards'; no source confirmed SUP boards specifically, so paddleboard was not added to the allowed list. 60 overnight mooring spaces are available via permit through the park office.

Rentals nearby

Tobyhanna State Park boat rental (park concession)

Rowboats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboats (pedal boats), and electric motorboats for use on Tobyhanna Lake

On Tobyhanna Lake within Tobyhanna State Park, near the beach/boat launch · Daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, except in inclement weather

Backstory

The lake was a commercial ice-harvesting site in the early 1900s (ice cut and shipped by rail to East Coast cities), then a federal military reservation from 1912-1948 used for tank/ambulance and artillery training, CCC housing, West Point artillery training, and German POW housing in WWII. Pennsylvania acquired the land in 1949 and opened Tobyhanna State Park that year with parking areas, a swimming beach, and boat rental/launch already in place.

Tobyhanna Lake Beach: FAQ

Is Tobyhanna Lake Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Tobyhanna Lake Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Tobyhanna Lake Beach?

Official DCNR pages describe the beach and bathhouse but do not state the parking lot's location, size, or cost; a parking area almost certainly exists at a developed state park beach, but this was not confirmed by any source found, so details are left null per the no-guessing rule.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Tobyhanna Lake Beach?

When is the best time to visit Tobyhanna Lake Beach?

Beach is open from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, 8:00 a.m. until sunset.

What are the rules at Tobyhanna Lake Beach?

Swimming is only permitted at the designated beach at your own risk, following all posted regulations; the beach and swimming area are smoke-free (no cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes, or lighted smoking devices), with a designated smoking area adjacent to the beach.

What water body is Tobyhanna Lake Beach on?

Tobyhanna Lake Beach is on Tobyhanna Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.