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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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Pennsylvania
Northeast Region
Archbald Pothole State Park
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Archbald Pothole State Park © Doug Kerr / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Archbald Pothole State Park - Pennsylvania
Archbald Pothole State Park © Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Archbald Pothole State Park - Pennsylvania
Archbald Pothole State Park © Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Archbald Pothole State Park - Pennsylvania
Archbald Pothole State Park Archbald Pothole © Marty Straub
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ARCHBALD POTHOLE STATE PARK
ARCHBALD POTHOLE STATE PARK
960 Scranton Carbondale Hwy
Archbald, Pennsylvania   18403-1019
(lat:41.513 lon:-75.5757) map location

Phone: (570) 945-3239
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
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.
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.
Nearby Accommodations
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Hotels/Motels
Located near popular recreational attractions, including the Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park, Steamtown National Historic Site and Promised Land State Park. NASCAR fans will enjoy a day at the races at nearby Pocono Raceway.
12.2 miles from park*


Location
Archbald Pothole State Park is located near Carbondale, Clarks Summit and Kingston

Trails
A small loop trail starting at the wayside follows an old coal mine tram road passed rock ledges and through a forest.
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

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 8 Pretty Park by Janila
park review stars; one to five I was intrigued by the history of this park, so yesterday we drove 110 miles to see this amazing natural pothole. The woods and the trail were very pretty but the single men pulling in and out of the parking lot was a little disconcerting. I usually visit parks and hike alone but I was very happy that my husband was there with me even on the short walk through the park.
October 31 An unseen gemstone. by twheid
park review stars; one to five This park is truly underutilized. It?s a great place to just watch the clouds go by, watch the wind or do some serious bird watching.
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Area Campgrounds
Cherry Ridge Campground
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570-488-6654
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26 Eagle Eye Dr
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570-698-6080
Lake Moc A Tek Campground
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570-226-3433
Keen Lake Camping
155 Keen Lake Road
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570-488-6161
Valley View Farm
RD 1 Box 1348
Waymart, PA
570-448-2268
Valleyview Farm & Campgrounds
1576 Belmont Turnpike
Waymart, PA
570-448-2268
Area Fishing Related Businesses
A & G Outfitters
1152 Commerce Blvd
Dickson City, PA
(570) 489-1650
Carbondale Guns
38 N Church St
Carbondale, PA
(570) 282-6500
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
Area Cabins and Lodges
Clarion Inn
300 Meadow Avenue
Scranton, PA
(570) 344-9811
Carmen's Radisson Lackawanna Sta Hotel Scranton
700 Lackawanna Ave
Scranton, PA
(570) 342-8300
Keen Lake Camping Resort
RR 3 Box 1976
Waymart, PA
(570) 488-6161
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

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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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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