Frances Slocum State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frances Slocum State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
Swampland in the park in autumn
|
|
 Frances Slocum State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
|
|
| Location | Kingston, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 1,035 acres (4.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,148 ft (350 m) |
| Established | 1968 |
| Named for | Frances Slocum |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Frances Slocum State Park |
Frances Slocum State Park is a fun place to visit in Pennsylvania, USA. It's a big park, about 1,035 acres (that's like 780 football fields!). The main attraction is Frances Slocum Lake, a 165-acre lake shaped like a horseshoe. People love coming here for fishing and boating. The park is located in Luzerne County, not too far from the towns of Dallas and Wilkes-Barre.
Contents
Park History: The Story of Frances Slocum
The park is named after a girl called Frances Slocum. When she was only five years old, in 1778, a group of Lenape people took her. Her family was among the first white settlers in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania.
It is thought that Frances tried to escape on the first night. But she was soon found again. She spent that night under a rock ledge. This spot is now part of the state park. Frances lived the rest of her life with Native Americans.
Her brothers found her 59 years later. She was living on an Indian Reservation near Peru, Indiana. Even though her brothers begged her to come home, Frances chose to stay with her new family. She had been married twice and had four children. Frances, who was now called "Mocanaquah" (meaning "Young Bear"), lived in Indiana until she died in 1847 at age 74.
Her name is still remembered in Indiana. There is a Frances Slocum State Recreational Area and a Lost Sister Trail named after her. Her final resting place is marked with a monument. It is located along the Mississinewa River in Indiana.
Building the Lake and Park
Frances Slocum Lake was built in 1968. Its main purpose was to help control flooding. It helped manage water in the North Branch Susquehanna River area. Frances Slocum State Park was then built around this new lake and dam.
In 1972, a big flood happened because of Hurricane Agnes. The park became a temporary home for 280 families. These families had lost their homes in the flood. The park was closed to the public during this time. It reopened in 1974 after all the families had moved out of their temporary homes.
Fun Activities at the Park
Hunting and Fishing Adventures
About 700 acres of Frances Slocum State Park are open for hunting. Hunters must follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. You might see squirrels, rabbits, and white-tailed deer here. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed.
Frances Slocum Lake is a great place for fishing. It's known as a warm-water fishery. Fishermen can catch fish like crappie, bluegill, walleye, and different types of bass. You can fish from the shore, a fishing pier, or from boats. Only electric or non-powered boats are allowed on the lake. Boats with gasoline engines are not permitted.
Camping and Picnics
The park has 100 campsites for visitors. Fifteen of these are walk-in tent sites. The other 85 sites can fit tents or trailers. Some larger sites even have electric hook-ups. Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. There's a modern bathhouse with showers, flush toilets, and drinking water.
There's also a large group tenting area. It can hold up to 40 tents. This area is close enough to walk to the main camping area's bathhouse.
In 2008, the park changed how campers register. Now, you register at the Main Office near the park entrance. There's also a new camp store for campers.
Frances Slocum State Park has many picnic areas. There are three pavilions you can rent for your group. The picnic spots have tables, grills, and places to put charcoal. They also have restrooms, drinking water, and bins for garbage and recycling.
Swimming Pool Fun
The park's swimming pool is open every day. It's usually open from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. You might need to pay a small fee to use the pool. There's also a snack bar where you can buy food and drinks. The pool area is accessible for everyone.
Hiking Trails to Explore
Frances Slocum State Park has about 9 miles of hiking trails. They are perfect for exploring nature.
- Frances Slocum Trail is 0.7 miles long. Blue marks guide you along this trail. It starts and ends at the boat rental parking lot. This trail passes the rock ledge where Frances Slocum was held captive on her first night.
- Campground Trail is 1 mile long. White marks show the way. It runs from the Stony Point parking lot to the group tenting area.
- Deer Trail can be up to 3.8 miles long. It has yellow marks and three loops. This trail takes you past the lakeshore, a thicket, a hemlock forest, a marsh, and other types of woods. Hunters use this trail during hunting season.
- Lakeshore Trail is 1.4 miles long. Red marks guide hikers and fishermen along the lake.
- Larch Tree Trail is 2 miles long. Orange marks show the path. This trail loops through a group of larch trees.
Winter Activities
Frances Slocum State Park is open all year, even in winter! When it's cold enough, you can enjoy ice fishing and ice skating on the lake. The park is also a great spot for sledding, tobogganing, and snowmobiling.
Nearby Parks to Discover
Here are some other state parks not too far from Frances Slocum State Park:
- Archbald Pothole State Park (Lackawanna County)
- Gouldsboro State Park (Monroe and Wayne Counties)
- Hickory Run State Park (Carbon County)
- Lackawanna State Park (Lackawanna County)
- Lehigh Gorge State Park (Carbon and Luzerne Counties)
- Nescopeck State Park (Luzerne County)
- Ricketts Glen State Park (Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan Counties)
- Tobyhanna State Park (Monroe County)
- Varden Conservation Area (Wayne County)
