Lackawanna State Park

Located near Scranton in Pennsylvania's northeast, Lackawanna State Park features a scenic lake, 18 miles of hiking trails, and a pet-friendly campground.

Its main attraction is Lackawanna Lake, which covers almost 200 acres and is popular for its canoeing and kayaking opportunities. There are three boat launches around the lake, with boat rentals available during peak times. Trout, muskellunge, walleye, and several other fish species are also present in the lake, so anglers can try their luck from the ADA-accessible fishing pier near the main boat launch.

Lackawanna State Park also boasts a popular swimming pool. Open seasonally, it features a spray ground/splash zone and is ADA accessible.

For hikers, there are several trails meandering around the campground and day-use areas of the park. Fifteen miles of trails are actually multi-use, giving mountain bikers and horseback riders a chance to explore fields, forests, hills, and shorefront terrain. Snowflake and Frost Hollow Trails make a pleasant 2.6-mile loop and are great to explore with your dog.

If you're staying the night, the camping season runs from the second Friday in April through to October 14. The forested campground is found within walking distance of the lake and offers electric sites and walk-in tent sites. However, previous visitors have warned that the sloping nature of some sites makes them much more suitable for RVs than tents, particularly during wet weather.

Pets are welcome on designated campsites on the Fox Run and Maple Lane loops. There's a maximum limit of two pets per site, and your furry friend will need to be kept on a leash whenever outside your tent or vehicle. A $2 nightly fee applies per pet. While there are also three camping cottages and two yurts available, none of these are pet-friendly.

Although Lackawanna State Park may not boast the breathtaking scenery of some other state parks, it's a clean and welcoming campground with plenty of activities to enjoy. Check it out if you get the chance.