Tobyhanna State Park
Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania · on Tobyhanna Creek · Tobyhanna State Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- May
About Tobyhanna State Park
Tobyhanna State Park in Monroe and Wayne counties, Pennsylvania centers on the 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake, an impoundment used for swimming, boating, and fishing, and a solid lake to swim in. The Pennsylvania DCNR maintains an official, though unguarded, sand swimming beach on the lake, a state-park swimming hole that operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September.
The park covers 5,440 acres of Pocono Plateau forest and wetland in Monroe and Wayne counties, with the lake as its centerpiece and a main entrance on PA Route 423 north of Tobyhanna township. The land was historically part of a large artillery training range that preceded the adjacent Tobyhanna Army Depot, and the park's western boundary follows a former railroad corridor once owned by Jay Gould.
Swimming at Tobyhanna State Park
Swimming takes place at a designated sand beach on Tobyhanna Lake, a 170-acre man-made lake formed by damming Tobyhanna Creek. The beach is unguarded (swim at your own risk) and suits casual, family-style lake swimming rather than swift-water or waterfall swimming; no depth or clarity details were found in official sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
Main park entrance is on Pennsylvania Route 423, about 2.1 miles north of Tobyhanna township.
The hike in
Lakeside Trail
Difficulty: easy (rated 'easiest' by DCNR) if hiking the full loop; no hike is needed just to swim
The 5.1-mile Lakeside Trail is an easy loop that circles Tobyhanna Lake and 'passes through the campground and beach areas,' but it is a scenic/recreational hiking option, not a required route to reach the swim beach, the beach itself is accessible directly by car/parking, per official park hiking and beach pages.
Two other DCNR-listed trails, the Frank Gantz Trail (1.9 mi in-park / 3.2 mi total, rated most difficult) and the Range Trail (2.75 mi out-and-back, rated more difficult), do not have a stated connection to the lake or beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sand beach on a calm impounded lake (shallow, gently-sloping entry typical of PA state park swim beaches) is a good setting for kids, but the beach is officially unguarded ('swim at your own risk') with no lifeguard on duty, so adult supervision is important.
Parking
Free
Official PA DCNR pages confirm beach access itself is free, but no page specifies the beach parking lot's size, exact location, or distance from the beach, so those details are left unconfirmed rather than guessed.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathhouse at the beach with flush toilets and changing areas; paid showers also available at the bathhouse.
Hours
Beach: Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Park overall: open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset, with day-use areas closing at dusk.
On the water
Restrictions: Electric motors only, at slow no-wake speed; no gas motors permitted on Tobyhanna Lake. Non-powered craft need a registration, launch permit, or mooring permit; motorboats need registration.
The park itself (not a private outfitter) runs the boat concession on Tobyhanna Lake.
Rentals nearby
Rowboats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and electric motorboats
At Tobyhanna Lake within the park, near the swimming beach · Open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, except in inclement weather
Backstory
The park's land originated as a large artillery training range that preceded the neighboring Tobyhanna Army Depot. Its western boundary follows a historic rail line once owned by 19th-century industrialist Jay Gould.
Tobyhanna State Park: FAQ
Does Tobyhanna State Park charge a fee?
Beach access is free; showers at the beach bathhouse are available for a fee. No specific park entrance fee was found (Pennsylvania state parks are generally free to enter).
Is Tobyhanna State Park kid friendly?
Sand beach on a calm impounded lake (shallow, gently-sloping entry typical of PA state park swim beaches) is a good setting for kids, but the beach is officially unguarded ('swim at your own risk') with no lifeguard on duty, so adult supervision is important.
Do I need to hike to reach Tobyhanna State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Tobyhanna State Park?
Official PA DCNR pages confirm beach access itself is free, but no page specifies the beach parking lot's size, exact location, or distance from the beach, so those details are left unconfirmed rather than guessed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Tobyhanna State Park?
The park itself (not a private outfitter) runs the boat concession on Tobyhanna Lake.
When is the best time to visit Tobyhanna State Park?
Late May (Memorial Day weekend) through mid-September, per official beach operating dates.
What are the rules at Tobyhanna State Park?
Beach open Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset, and is unguarded (swim at own risk). The beach area is smoke-free (no cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or e-cigarettes; designated smoking areas are provided adjacent to the beach). Boating on the lake is limited to electric motors only at no-wake speed; motorboats need registration and non-powered craft need a registration, launch permit, or mooring permit.
What water body is Tobyhanna State Park on?
Tobyhanna State Park is on Tobyhanna Creek, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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