Lackawanna: Railroad History and Nature

Lackawanna combines impressive reminders of railroad and industrial history with parks, river paths, and wooded trails. In Scranton, museums and a former mine tell the story of anthracite and rail travel; other experiences take you to gorges, lakes, and seasonal activities. This lets you balance culture, activity, and nature according to the focus of your trip.

Railroads, Anthracite, and Industrial History

Steamtown National Historic Site preserves and interprets the history of steam railroading in America. Its collection includes locomotives, freight and passenger cars, and equipment for maintaining railroad facilities. The pieces come from several historic railroads and offer different insights into rail operations and technology.

The Electric City Trolley Museum focuses on electric railways. It is located on the grounds of Steamtown National Historic Site in a restored late-19th-century mill building. Its collection offers a representative picture of electric railways in eastern Pennsylvania, from the Philadelphia region to northeastern Pennsylvania. A scenic excursion route follows a section of the former Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Railroad, the Laurel Line, passes the Historic Iron Furnaces, and goes through the 4,747-foot-long Crown Avenue Tunnel. It is one of the longest interurban tunnels ever built. Excursion service may vary.

Anthracite mining is also part of the region’s history. The Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum is located in McDade Park in Scranton and interprets the history of hard coal mining, related industries, and the historic immigrant culture of northeastern Pennsylvania. The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is also located in McDade Park. It takes you 300 feet underground into an anthracite mine that originally opened in 1860. Knowledgeable guides lead the tour through winding underground passageways and a rock tunnel, past three different anthracite coal seams.

The Scranton Iron Furnaces represent the early iron industry of the United States. Their four large stone blast furnaces are remnants of what was once a sprawling facility operated by the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company. Visitors can see the site year-round from sunrise to sunset; check current visiting hours before you arrive.

Parks, Trails, and Geological Features

Lackawanna State Park covers 1,445 acres. At its center is 198-acre Lackawanna Lake, surrounded by wooded multi-use trails. Activities include boating, camping, fishing, mountain biking, and swimming. The park offers both water and outdoor experiences, while the trails provide another way to explore the landscape.

For walks, runs, and bike rides, the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail offers paved, connected sections. Numerous trailheads and access points are spread throughout Lackawanna County. Parker Street Landing in Scranton is a designated public access point to the Lackawanna River, with parking available.

Nay Aug Gorge offers another type of landscape: this National Natural Landmark was formed by Roaring Brook more than 11,500 years ago. In Nay Aug Park, the Davis Trail is an easy, two-mile out-and-back route through mature forest along Roaring Brook. Along the way, you’ll pass overlooks, waterfalls, and distinctive rock formations. The David Wenzel Tree House in the park is fully accessible and offers expansive views of the gorge and Roaring Brook.

Archbald Pothole is another notable geological feature. The elliptical formation is 38 feet deep and was created during the Wisconsin glaciation about 15,000 years ago; it gave Archbald Pothole State Park its name. To reach the state park, take exit 191A from Interstate 81 and follow Business US 6.

Seasonal Experiences and Local Character

Activities at Lackawanna State Park include boating, fishing, and swimming, as well as camping and mountain biking. Montage Mountain offers 27 trails with runs for beginners, intermediate skiers, and experts. The water park at Montage Mountain Resorts is seasonal; facilities include a lazy river, a wave pool, and water slides. If you’re planning activities for a specific time of year, it helps to distinguish these seasonal offerings from the hiking and biking trails described above.

Lakeland Orchard & Cidery offers seasonal picking of fresh fruit and flowers, as well as rides on the Lakeland Express. Picking depends on growing conditions, and rides are offered seasonally. Family-friendly festivals and seasonal events include spring blooms, summer berry harvests, and fall attractions; dates vary. Scenic drives and hikes are also recommended for viewing fall foliage in Lackawanna County. The timing of peak foliage can vary.

One local culinary specialty is Old Forge Pizza. It is baked in a rectangular metal pan and divided into “cuts,” not slices. It is ordered by “trays” rather than “pies.” Ordering by “trays,” as well as dividing it into “cuts,” sets it apart from a typical pizza order.

For regional transportation context: Interstates 81, 80, 476, 84, and 380, as well as the Casey Highway, converge in Lackawanna County. When choosing where to stay, you can first consider whether railroad history, mining, waterfront trails, or seasonal experiences will be the focus of your visit.

Explore more destinations: Scranton, Clarks Summit, Moosic, Dickson City, Dunmore, Old Forge, Cumberland, Lehigh.

For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.