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Nearby Parks:
Prompton State Park
Frances Slocum State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Archbald Pothole State Park is a 150-acre park in northeastern Pennsylvania. The park is named for Archbald Pothole, a geologic feature that formed during the Wisconsin Glacial Period, around 15,000 years ago. The pothole is 38 feet deep and has an elliptical shape. The diameter of the pothole decreases downward. The largest diameter is 42 feet by 24 feet. At the bottom it is 17 feet by 14 feet. The pothole has a volume of about 18,600 cubic feet, so could hold about 140,000 gallons. It would take 35 fire truck tankers to fill the pothole. |
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| Trails: |
| A small loop trail starting at the wayside follows an old coal mine tram road passed rock ledges and through a forest. |
| Trail Accessories: |
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| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Over 100 acres are open to limited hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, squirrel and turkey.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owners car. |
| History of the Area: |
| Archbald Pothole was discovered in 1884 by coal miner Patrick Mahon while extending a mine shaft. Mr. Mahon fired a blast of explosives and water and stones came rushing out. The miners fled fearing that the mountain was falling on them. Edward Jones, the manager of the mining company, investigated and ordered the area cleared of debris. About 800 to 1,000 tons of small rounded stones were removed and Mr. Jones realized that the vertical tunnel was a large pothole.
About 1,000 feet north of Archbald Pothole, another pothole was found, but it was thought to be larger than the first pothole and was not excavated because of the excessive cost.
Archbald Pothole was briefly used as a ventilation shaft for the mine. A large fire kept burning in the bottom made the pothole function like a chimney, drawing air out of the mine. In 1887, Colonel Hackley, the landowner, built a fence and retaining wall around the hole. Edward Jones gave many tours of the pothole to local citizens and to noted geologists. The pothole became a popular tourist attraction. In 1914, the widow of Colonel Hackley donated a one-acre deed, which included the pothole, to the reformed Lackawanna Historical Society.
With the addition of 150 acres, Archbald Pothole became a Lackawanna County park in 1940. The county deeded the property to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1961, andafter improvements, Archbald Pothole State Park was dedicated in 1964. |
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| Area Accommodations |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| PA DCNR - The Resource - July 11, 1997. Vol. 1, No. 16. Extensive improvements finished at Archbald Pothole State Park. Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County officially reopened June 27 after the completion... | | SurfScranton: All links in alphabetical order - Links to Scranton Pennsylvania businesses, stores, entertainment, churches, organizations, ... Want It Appraisal Institute Arcaro Genell Archbald Pothole State Park Architects USA - List of area ... | | Parks - ... center's streams, ponds and diverse habitats. Pocono Mountains/Endless Mountains Park Name Comments Archbald Pothole State Park This park boasts the world's largest glacial pothole, 38 feet deep and ... | | SurfScranton: All links by category - Links to Scranton Pennsylvania businesses, stores, entertainment, churches, organizations, ... 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park Outdoors Parks Archbald Pothole State Park Lackawanna State Park NEPC-BSA Heritage ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Hickory Run State Park, Boulder Field: 14 acres of jumbled stone caused by severe weather of the last glacial period. The glacier end moraine crosses the park. Hickory Run State Park can be reached at Exit 274 off of I-80. Follow PA 534 east to the park. 570-443-0400
Seven Tubs Natural Area: Glacial meltwater eroded the bedrock and created a series of potholes in an area now called Whirlpool Valley. Owned by Luzerne County, Seven Tubs can be reached at Exit 164 off of I-81. Follow PA 115 south for 2.5 miles. The park is on the right. 570-477-5467
Tannersville Cranberry Bog: This 150-acre wetland is the southernmost low altitude boreal bog on the eastern seaboard. It contains carnivorous plants, rare orchids and other plants. The bog is owned by the Nature Conservancy and can only be visited during scheduled tours. 570-629-3061 |
| Area Campgrounds | | Lake Greeley Camp
330 N Main St
Moscow, PA
(570) 842-3739
| Selmad Equipment & Supplies Inc
RR 347
Olyphant, PA
(570) 383-7734
| Cherry Ridge Campsites & Lodging Inc
147 Camp Rd
Honesdale, PA
(570) 488-6654
| Keen Lake Camping
155 Keen Lake Rd
Waymart, PA
(570) 488-5522
| Highland Campground
RR 2 Box 278
Dalton, PA
(570) 586-0145
| How Kola Camp
Brinktown
Clarks Summit, PA
(570) 587-1732
| Countryside Family Campground
1157 Bethany Tpke
Honesdale, PA
(570) 253-0424
| Rock Mountain Bible Camp
1 Beaver Creek Rd
South Gibson, PA
(570) 756-2200
| Valleyview Farm & Campgrounds
RR 1
Waymart, PA
(570) 448-2268
| Ponderosa Pines Camp
31 Ponderosa Dr
Honesdale, PA
(570) 253-2080
| Hideaway Lakes Camping Resort
Honesdale, PA
(570) 253-9940
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Ray's Bait & Tackle
220 Main St
Avoca, PA
(570) 654-9555
| A & G Outfitters
1152 Commerce Blvd
Dickson City, PA
(570) 489-1650
| Ray's Bait & Tackle
220 Main St
Pittston, PA
(570) 654-9555
| Z's Bait & Tackle
Route 92
Falls, PA
(570) 388-6801
| Sanhelen's Sport Shop
1385 Hancock Hwy
Honesdale, PA
(570) 251-7704
| Ted's Bait & Tackle
1597 Mount Cobb Rd
Lake Ariel, PA
(570) 689-4181
| Anglers Vice Fly Fishing
104 S State St
Clarks Summit, PA
(570) 587-2737
| Thomas Spinning Lures Inc
316 Wayne Ave
Hawley, PA
(570) 226-4011
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Clarion Inn
300 Meadow Avenue
Scranton, PA
(570) 344-9811
| Montage Mountain Ski Resort
1000 Montage Mountain Rd
Scranton, PA
(570) 969-7669
| Carmen's Radisson Lackawanna Sta Hotel Scranton
700 Lackawanna Ave
Scranton, PA
(570) 342-8300
| Endless MT Resort
RR 1
Union Dale, PA
(570) 679-2400
| Lukan's Farm Resort Inc
539 Long Ridge Rd
Hawley, PA
(570) 226-4574
| Keen Lake Camping Resort
RR 3 Box 1976
Waymart, PA
(570) 488-6161
| Hickory Ridge Resorts
182 Ski Run Rd
Honesdale, PA
(570) 253-1511
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| Directions: |
| Archbald Pothole is in Lackawanna County, nine miles north of Scranton. The park is easily reached from Interstate 81. Take Exit 191A to Business US 6 east towards Carbondale. The park entrance is six miles on the right. |
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