Nescopeck State Park
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| Nescopeck State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Butler Township, Dennison Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Hazelton, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 3,550 acres (14.37 km²) |
| Established: | April, 2005 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Nescopeck State Park is a Pennsylvania State Park on 3,550 acres (14.37 km²) in Butler Township and Dennison Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is one of the newest state parks in Pennsylvania, with the Environmental Education Center there opening in April, 2005. The state began acquiring the 164 properties that make up the park in 1971. Nescopeck Creek runs through the valley between Mount Yeager and Nescopeck Mountain. The park is near Interstate 80 just off U.S. Route 309 near Conyngham.
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[edit] Trails
There are 19 miles (30.58 km) of trails in Nescopeck State Park. The trails go through forests, meadows and wetlands. Most trails begin at Honey Hole Road which is the main access road for the park. The trail are open for cross-country skiing but closed for mountain biking.
[edit] Wildlife
200 acres (0.81 sq km) of wetlands, forests, and the banks of Nescopeck Creek are the habitat of:
- over 160 different species of birds
- 30 species of reptiles and amphibians
- over 600 species of plants.
The trails are closed to mountain biking and ATVs in order to protect these habitats.
[edit] Hunting and Fishing
Hunting is permitted on most of Nescopeck State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Game Commission. The common game species are squirrels, turkey, woodcock, and white-tailed deer. Hunters may also access State Game Lands 187 through the park for additional hunting opportunities.
Lake Frances is a 9 acre (0.04 km²) mad made lake on Nescopeck Creek. The lake has panfish, bass and trout in its waters. Nescopeck Creek is designated as a high quality cold-water fishery with brown and brook trout.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Nescopeck State Park:
- Beltzville State Park (Carbon County)
- Big Pocono State Park (Monroe County)
- Frances Slocum State Park (Luzerne County)
- Gouldsboro State Park (Monroe and Wayne Counties)
- Hickory Run State Park (Carbon County)
- Lehigh Gorge State Park (Carbon and Luzerne Counties)
- Locust Lake State Park (Schuylkill County)
- Ricketts Glen State Park (Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan Counties)
- Tobyhanna State Park (Monroe and Wayne Counties)
- Tuscarora State Park (Schuylkill County)
[edit] References
- Nescopeck State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-15.
- Map ref for Nescopeck State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-14.
- United States Geological Survey. USGS FREELAND (PA) Topo Map. TopoZone. Retrieved on 2006-11-14.
