| Frances Slocum State Park | |
|---|---|
 Swampland in the park in autumn | |
  Location of Frances Slocum State Park in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Frances Slocum State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Kingston,Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°20′24″N75°53′29″W / 41.34000°N 75.89139°W /41.34000; -75.89139 |
| Area | 1,035 acres (4.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,148 ft (350 m)[1] |
| 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 1,035-acre (419 ha)Pennsylvania state park inKingston Township,Luzerne County,Pennsylvania, in the United States. Frances Slocum Lake is a 165-acre (67 ha) man-made, horseshoe-shaped lake that is a popularfishing andboating destination. The park is 5 miles (8.0 km) fromDallas and 10 miles (16 km) fromWilkes-Barre.
The park is named forFrances Slocum, who was taken captive by a group ofLenape on November 2, 1778, when she was just five years old. Her family had been among the first whites to settle in theWyoming Valley of Pennsylvania. It is believed that she escaped captivity that first night; she was soon recaptured. Frances was held for the night under a rock ledge along Abraham Creek in what is now part of the state park. She spent the rest of her life with the Native Americans. Her brothers found her 59 years later living on anIndian Reservation nearPeru, Indiana. Despite the pleadings of her brothers, Frances refused to leave her family. She had been married twice and was the mother of four children. Frances, now called "Mocanaquah" (meaning "Young Bear"), lived for the rest of her life inIndiana. She died in 1847 at the age of 74. Her name lives on in Indiana, where theFrances Slocum State Recreational Area andLost Sister Trail (in theMississinewa Reservoir and State Forest) are named in her honor. Her final resting place is marked with a monument along the banks of theMississinewa River in Indiana.[2]
Frances Slocum Lake was built to help controlflooding in theNorth Branch Susquehanna River basin in 1968. Frances Slocum State Park was built around the dam and lake. The park became home to 280 families that were displaced by the flood created byHurricane Agnes in 1972. The park was closed to the public and was not reopened until 1974 (when all the families had moved out of their temporary homes).[2]
About 700 acres (280 ha) of Frances Slocum State Park are open to hunting. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species aresquirrels,rabbits andwhite-tailed deer. The hunting ofgroundhogs is prohibited.[2]
Frances Slocum Lake is a warm-water fishery. Fisherman can catchcrappie,bluegill,walleye,muskellunge,pickerel, andsmallmouth andlargemouth bass from the shore, fishing pier and from electric or non-powered boats. Gasoline-powered boats are prohibited at Frances Slocum State Park.[2]
There are 100 campsites at Frances Slocum State Park. 15 are walk-in tent sites and 85 sites can accommodate tents or trailers. The larger sites have electric hook-ups. Each site has a fire ring andpicnic table. There is a modern bathhouse with showers, flush toilets and drinking water. There is a large group tenting area that has a 40 tent capacity. It is within walking distance of the main camping area and its bathhouse.[2]
The Park made some changes to its registration process in 2008 to accommodate a new camp store for campers. Previously, camper registration was performed at the Contact Station along the road to the campsites. That building is no longer used, and camper registration is performed at the Main Office near the entrance to the Park.
Frances Slocum State Park has several picnic areas. There are threepavilions available to rent. The picnic areas have tables, grills and charcoal disposal pits. They also have restrooms, drinking water, and garbage andrecycling bins.[2]
The swimming pool is open daily from 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. A fee is charged for pool use. A seasonal snack bar has fast food and beverages. This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Frances Slocum State Park has 9 miles (14 km) of hiking trails.[2]
Frances Slocum State Park is open during the winter months forice fishing,ice skating, sledding, tobogganing, and snowmobiling.[2]
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Frances Slocum State Park:[3][4][5]
