LACKAWANNA RIVER HERITAGE TRAIL:
TAYLOR/SCRANTON-SIMPSON, PENNSYLVANIA
D&H RAIL TRAIL:
SIMPSON, PENNSYLVANIA-NEW YORK STATE BORDER
O&W RAIL TRAIL:
SIMPSON, PENNSYLVANIA-NEW YORK STATE BORDER
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is a multi-use trail that currently follows the Lackawanna River North from Taylor/Scranton to Simpson. Sections utilize former rail beds of the Central NJ RR and O&W RR, along with the Scranton Riverwalk and Scranton Levee Trail. The Luzerne County Rail Trail is located South in Pittston. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail travels North through Lackawanna County and joins the D&H Rail Trail in Simpson, where the O&W Rail Trail also begins. Continuing North, both trails are co-aligned for another 8 miles to Stillwater Lake and Dam in Union Dale.
The D&H Rail Trail runs from Simpson, North through Lanesboro, to the New York State border. The first loads of coal rolled north out of the anthracite fields along the Delaware & Hudson Railroad in 1870. This D&H Jefferson Branch running from Carbondale, Pa to Lanesboro, Pa was built by the Erie Railroad company to replace the D&H Gravity Railroad and Canal system. The New York, Ontario & Western RR (O&W) completed in 1888 out of Scranton was needed to ship the large volumes of coal being mined in the Lackawanna Valley. The D&H Rail Trail, North from Union Dale, is controlled by the Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania up to the New York border.
The O&W Rail Trail also begins in Simpson and travels North to Hancock, NY. The 8 mile O&W Rail Trail section from Simpson to Union Dale, is controlled by the Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The mid-section is privately owned and allows ATVs with trail passes. From Poyntelle North it is owned and regulated as low-maintenance roads by Preston and Buckingham Townships to the West Branch Delaware River.
From Simpson, the O&W Rail Trail runs parallel to the D&H Rail Trail, with the Lackawanna River often running in between the two trails. There are several locations along the trails, where you can connect between them, creating a Loop. When you reach the Route 171 Bridge, over the Lackawanna River, this is the last spot to easily connect between both trails
These trails are a work in progress and contain gaps and varying trail surfaces. For more information visit; LACKAWANNA RIVER HERITAGE TRAIL , D&H/O&W RAIL TRAILS of NEPA .
Lackawanna River Heritage Trail:
Scranton Section:
Last Updated: September 02, 2024
Length: Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; 25.5 miles including on-road detours.
D&H Rail Trail; 39 miles
O&W Rail Trail; 7 miles bike friendly
O&W Rail Trail; 32.9 miles total
Difficulty: Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Easy. Flat paved & stone-dust rail trails.
Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Scranton Levee Trail; Moderate. Flat, hard packed dirt and grass trail atop the levee.
D&H Rail Trail; Easy. Flat stone-dust/gravel rail trail.
O&W Trail; Moderate. Flat hard packed dirt, gravel & cinder rail trail. Some ATV use northern section.
Directions: Lackawanna River Heritage Trail:
From I-81 take exit 185 to the Central Scranton Expressway. Take the Scranton Iron Furnace Park exit to Cedar Ave and turn right across Roaring Brook. Turn left on Mattes Ave/Hickory St and follow to S Washington Ave.
To start from the 7th Ave parking lot in Scranton [Central Section]; Cross S Washington Ave onto Hickory St and cross the river. Turn right on Emmett St then right on Railroad Ave/Scranton St/7th Ave. The parking lot will be on your right (the trail travels through it).
To start from the W Elm St parking lot in Scranton [Southern Section]; Turn left onto S Washington Ave, then right at E Elm St. Cross the river and turn left into a small parking area.
To start from the Depot St parking lot in Scranton [Southern End];
From I-81 Northbound take exit 182 to Montage Mt Rd and turn left. Cross over I-81 and continue straight along Davis St.
From I-81 Southbound take exit 182B to Davis St and head right. Follow Davis St to Main St and turn right. Travel 0.2 miles and turn right on Depot St (May not be marked. Just past a large white building). Cross the RR tracks and continue along the dirt road to a gravel parking lot.
To start from Condella Park parking lot in Olyphant; From Route 6 take exit 2 to E Lackawanna Ave to N Garfield Ave and turn left, then right on S Valley Ave. Cross the RR tracks and turn right on N Valley Ave. Stay straight into the Park.
To start from the Meredith Street parking lot in Carbondale [Northern Section]; From Route 6, take exit 6 to Meredith St and follow northeast. Cross the river and turn left into the parking lot.
To start from the Morse Ave parking lot in Simpson for the [Northern End] of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and the [Southern End] of the D&H Rail Trail; From Route 6, take the Roosevelt Hwy exit towards Carbondale. Turn right on Canaan St after less than a mile. Follow to Morse Ave and head left. Road splits bare left. Cross the river and the parking lot will be on your left.
Starting from the Homestead Street parking lot in Simpson for the O&W Rail Trail [Southern End]; From Route 6 take the exit for BUS Route 6 (Roosevelt Hwy). Take your first right on Canaan St, then your first left on Morse Ave. Continue straight on Reservoir St for a half mile. Turn right on Homestead St. A parking lot is just past the tank. Informational board here. The trailhead is just up the road on your left, past the trailhead sign.
Since I last visited this trail, all new signage (Map Boards & informational signs) and Mile Markers have been installed along the trail.
Starting from the Depot Street parking lot in Taylor [Southern End]; Blue Wayfinding signs mark the trail. Heading Northeast, along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Central NJ RR Section, you cross Keyser Creek via an old double tracked RR bridge to a wide, open paved trail. Check out all the River Birch trees along the trail. The Lackawanna River parallels the trail along your right. A gravel jogging path accompanies the trail. Come to a large turtle sculpture where a gravel trail spurs out along the river to your right at 0.3 miles. Next you'll pass a large open area with a fish sculpture and the granite Six Nations Amphitheater, before the trail becomes more shaded. Hold your nose as you pass by the sewage treatment plant located across the river. At 1.2 miles spot a large brick building across the river and an old RR bridge over the river. The trail travels high above the river, before opening up, as you follow the power lines in Scranton. Pass by the Elm Street parking lot and cross Elm St at 2 miles. Informational sign located here. The Lackawanna River is along your right and a small embankment to your left. You'll pass by the South Side Sports Complex and an informational board before crossing Broadway St at 2.4 miles. The trail travels through a "green corridor" above the river with RR tracks across the river. Above the hill past the RR tracks is the STEAMTOWN NHS . Pass through the 7th Ave parking lot at 2.9 miles and come to the paved Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Downtown Scranton Riverwalk Section. Cross over an old RR bridge before coming to an intersection.
Note; The paved Lackawanna Ave Connector Spur Trail bares left, underneath a RR bridge, out to N 7th Ave. Right will take you up to W Lackawanna Ave. You can then travel right, Southeast, on-road, along W Lackawanna Ave, passing by the grand old Central NJ RR Freight Station. You can then cross over the Lackawanna River and access downtown Scranton.
This open trail travels underneath a RR bridge, then down underneath Lackawanna Ave and alongside the river. Up above to your left is the grand old Central NJ RR Freight Station. The trail briefly returns to stone-dust. Travel underneath the W Linden St and N Scranton Expressway bridges before coming to a Spur Trail on your left at 3.5 miles.
Note; This is the 0.3 mile Scranton High School Spur Trail.
The trail then crosses over the Scranton Levee and ends at the Olive Street parking lot after 3.7 miles. You may continue your trek North, along the earthen, Scranton Levee Trail that travels atop the Levee system. A path leads up to the top of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Scranton Levee Trail, where you'll head North along a dirt and grass trail. This open trail travels above the West Bank of the Lackawanna River along your right and a commercial/industrial corridor to your left. After 4.1 miles the trail briefly improves to a hard packed gravel surface before crossing W Poplar Ave at 4.3 miles. The trail returns to dirt and grass bringing you to Albright Ave at 4.6 miles.
Note; The trail continues straight, North, atop the Levee but dead ends after 5 miles at Diamond Ave.
Continuing from Albright Ave, you'll need to head right across the river. Continue left, North, to a Map Board, where a paved trail will bring you back atop the Levee, where the dirt & grass trail travels along the East Bank of the Lackawanna River. This was as far as I traveled. The dirt and grass trail continues along a residential corridor out to Green Ridge St at 5.1 miles. Caution; No Crosswalk. Head right along Nay Aug Ave and rejoin the trail back atop the Levee, along a mostly commercial corridor as the trail turns Northeast. Pass by the Nay Aug Avenue Natural Play Area below before coming to E Market St. Turn left, to cross back over the river again. Pick up the trail, just below the stairs on your right, at 5.6 miles and travel East, past a gate. This stone-dust section travels through the woods, pulls away from the river to Depot St. The narrow trail continues below a stone abutment. Come to Dean St at 6.1 miles. On-road Detour required. Head right, on-road, along Dean St, crossing over some RR tracks to Amelia St and turn left, Northeast (residential). Come to E Parker St and head right, East, on-road, crossing back over the river. Turn left along Crane Ave and pick up the paved Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Marvine Trail Section at 6.5 miles. I haven't checked out this section. This section travels North, alongside the river, through the old Marvine Colling Lands. Pass by 2 old RR bridges that cross the river (not accessible) before the trail turns East, crossing some RR tracks and a small bridge out to Boulevard Ave at 7.4 miles. On-road Detour required. Head left, Northeast, on-road, along Boulevard Ave, traveling underneath the I-81 Bridge. Travel back across the river and pick up the paved/stone-dust (?) Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Dickson City Section on your right at 7.7 miles. I haven't checked out this section.
Note; Left will take you to Bernard Seminski Memorial Park, where a narrow paved 0.4 mile trail encircles this park.
The trail continues between the river and a residential corridor, back atop the Levee. Pass by a spur out to Bridge St at 8.1 miles. Not sure if the trail has been extended North, past Polonia Park, to Riverfront Park parking lot and Enterprise St. Park has a Dog Park and picnic tables. If the trail was extended, it should come to Enterprise St after 8.5 miles. On-road Detour required. Head right, North, on-road, along Enterprise St (industrial area). Left along Eagle Ln, Right along Main St, right Dundaff St, left along Frieda St (residential), right along Pancoast St and finally left along Railroad St, where you'll pick up the paved Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Dickson City Section on your right at 9.6 miles. I haven't checked out this section. You cross over some RR tracks where the trail turn West, then loops Northeast, back alongside the river. The trail then travels back across the RR tracks, next to a RR bridge, heading North. Continuing alongside the river, come to W Lackawanna Ave in Blakely, after about 10.7 miles. Across the river is Olyphant.
Note; A 1 mile on-road detour is required to connect to the next section, East in Olyphant. Head right, East, on-road along W Lackawanna Ave (busy road w/no shoulders/Not recommended for kids on bikes) to N Valley Ave at 11 miles. Turn left, Northeast, on-road along this low traffic road that parallels some RR tracks. This road crosses the RR tracks, however, stay straight and enter Condella Park. Just before the parking lot, you'll pick up the stone-dust Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Mid Valley Section after 11.7 miles.
I haven't checked out this next section. From the Condella Park parking lot in Olyphant, the stone-dust trail travels through the woods to a pedestrian bridge over the Lackawanna River, bringing you to Bob Mellow Park in the Peckville section of Blakely. The paved trail then continues East, between the park and river, passing by the Blakely Borough Recreation Complex and out to Keystone Ave at about 12.3 miles. Short on-road section. Travel left along Keystone Ave, then right along River St (residential) to Depot St. Turn right and you'll pick up the paved Lackawanna River Heritage Trail on your left after 12.6 miles, just before the Lackawanna River. I've checked out this next section. The paved trail continues East, alongside the river. You'll come alongside Main St briefly, before losing the river and traveling through open fields and entering the woods. Come back alongside the river briefly, before coming to Winton Rd in the Winton section of Jessup, at 14.1 miles. Map Board.
Turn right for a short on-road section. Cross over the river and follow River St (residential) left, before you pick up the stone-dust trail again at 14.4 miles. The trail now follows an old rail bed North, with active RR tracks up to the right and the river on your left. Isolated. Pass a small pond before you come to the Laurel Street parking lot after 16.4 miles in Archbald. Another Map Board. The wide paved trail continues left alongside the river before returning you to Laurel St at 16.6 miles. Head left on-road (sidewalk available) past more parking spots. Pass by Archbald Park (playground) and more parking. Continue on-road, crossing Monroe & Wayne streets before coming to Gilmartin St. Head left and you'll return to the paved trail on your right at 17.3 miles. Map Board. Here the wide, paved trail travels North, alongside the river, with RR tracks on your right. After 18.3 miles the trail shares a town road for the sewer plant. This is a low traffic road that travels between the river and RR tracks. Come to the Delaware Street parking lot in Jermyn after 19.3 miles.
Note; A 1.7 mile on-road detour is required to reach the next section in Mayfield. Head left across the river and turn right along Bridge St. Continue right, North, along Washington Ave and into Mayfield along Main St. Turn left on Poplar St, then right on Cemetery St, baring right along Plank Rd. Pass by Chestnut St.
Plans call constructing a parking lot off Plank Rd and Chestnut St, near a former O&W rail yard. Another 0.5 miles trail section will be added, including river access. Hoping for 2024 construction.
Continuing along Plank Rd, I believe you can access the trail on your right at 21 miles. I've checked out this next section The stone-dust Lackawanna River Heritage Trail travels North, through the woods. Pass by complex along your left, where you'll find picnic tables. You'll then follow the river up to the Meredith Street parking lot in Carbondale at 21.6 miles.
Note; A 2.5 mile on-road detour is required to reach the next section in Carbondale at John Street. See; Upper Valley Section Map Below.
Starting from the Northern End of John Street in Carbondale; [24.1 miles] I haven't checked out this section. The paved Lackawanna River Heritage Trail; Carbondale Riverwalk Section starts off by crossing a bridge over Racket Brook to the Carbondale YMCA Public Playground.
Note; A circle trail on your right leads to a pedestrian bridge over Racket Brook to the N Main Street parking lot.
The trail then travels North, into the woods, along the Lackawanna River. This next section is referred to as the Carbondale Riverwalk. Come to an old RR bridge over the Lackawanna River at 24.5 miles.
Note; The paved trail continues Northeast, along the Eastern Side of the river, out to N Main St, at x miles. I believe this was a separate old rail bed. Not sure if it continues past N Main St.
Cross over the river where the stone-dust continues North. You then travel between Enterprise Dr and the river, coming alongside the Morse Ave parking lot in Simpson after 25.5 miles. Map Board. Here the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, joins the D&H Rail Trail, across Morse Ave. See; D&H Rail Trail Below.
D&H RAIL TRAIL/O&W RAIL TRAIL:
D&H RAIL TRAIL SECTION:
Starting from the Morse Ave parking lot in Simpson [Southern End]; I haven't checked out this section. The stone-dust D&H Rail Trail heads Northeast, along the West Side of the Lackawanna River, through a wooded corridor.
Note; The O&W Rail Trail travels Northeast, along the East Side of the Lackawanna River.
You quickly travel underneath the Main Street bridge. Cross a bridge over the river at 1.3 miles, as you continue along the East Side of the river. This trail is very isolated.
Note; Here you can *Connect to the O&W Rail Trail on your right.
You briefly parallel the the O&W Rail Trail along your right. Cross another bridge back over the river at 1.6 miles, followed by another at 2.1 miles, before coming to an intersection at 2.3 miles.
Note; Here you can again **Connect to the O&W Rail Trail on your right.
You briefly parallel the the O&W Rail Trail along your right again. Cross another bridge back over the river at 2.6 miles. Cross Commerce Blvd and pass by the parking lot at 4.6 miles in Forest City. I've checked out this next section. A Porto-Potty is located here. Head North, past the gate along the wide, open, stone-dust trail (some gravel sections) and you'll soon travel underneath Route 247. Here the trail skirts Forest City. After 4.9 miles you pass by the former location of the Forest City Depot. Cross a road at 5.6 miles and the trail becomes more isolated. Finally get a view of the Lackawanna River down to your right at 6.1 miles. Route 171 parallels the trail above on your left. Cross an old double tracked RR bridge over the river, before coming to the Route 171 bridge at 6.9 miles. Spot a dirt trail on your right.
Note; This dirt trail ***Connects you to the O&W Rail Trail. This is the last spot the two trails are close together, so it makes for an ideal spot to Loop South, back along the O&W Rail Trail.
Continue North, underneath the Route 171 bridge and you'll quickly cross an old RR bridge over the river and travel along the West Side of the river. You'll quickly lose the river as the trail enters a deep valley. At 8.9 miles you come alongside the Stillwater Lake Dam. A fence separates you from the earthen dam. If you continue along the fence to it's end you'll be afforded better views of the dam, lake and surrounding valley with windmills atop the ridges. This is as far as I traveled. Continuing North, the trail eventually comes alongside Main St, where it parallels this road into Union Dale, crossing Skyline Dr and Norton Hill Rd at 10.2 miles.
Note; Left is the headquarters for the RAIL TRAILS of NE PA , which maintains the D&H Rail Trail & O&W Rail Trail.
It then follows a wooded corridor, passing by the Old Newburg Tnpk parking lot (Route 374) at 12 miles in Herrick Center. Cross Creek Rd at 13.8 miles and Fiddle Lake Rd at 15.4 miles. Several small road crossings as the trail now mixes with farmland. The trail travels past Hathaway Lake at 16.7 miles, followed by Romobe Lake and Sinkhole Swamp at 17.7 miles, before crossing Ararat Rd at 18.3 miles in Ararat. I don't believe the trail surface has been improved past here. Continuing North, the trail briefly follows Starrucca Creek. Come to Rocky Ln at 19.8 miles. Cross Route 1001 at 21.4 miles and follow a causeway before the trail turns East. Cross Main St in Thompson, at 23.5 miles and pass by the old Thomson Train Station. After 26 miles, the trail turns North and a switchback trail takes you down to Bucks Falls Rd in Starrucca.
Note; Right, East, will take you to Bucks Falls.
Another switchback uphill. Cross Melrose Rd at 30 miles. The trail then parallels Starrucca Creek up to Starrucca Creek Rd at 32.4 miles. Head left, West, alongside the road (wide gravel shoulder) and you quickly come to the Melrose Road parking lot in Susquehanna. This next section has been upgraded. The stone-dust D&H Rail Trail travels West, paralleling Melrose Rd and crossing a bridge over Starrucca Creek, before entering the woods at 32.8 miles. It then follows Starrucca Creek, crossing Starrucca Creek Rd at 33.5 miles. Cross a bridge over Starrucca Creek. Cross Viaduct St at around 35.5 miles. Cross a final old RR trestle bridge over Starrucca Creek before coming to the Luciana Park parking lot in Lanesboro at about 36 miles.
Note; Here you can check out the STARRUCCA VIADUCT . The Starrucca Viaduct was constructed for the Erie Railroad and was completed in 1848. It is 1040 feet long, 100 feet high and 25 feet wide at the top with semicircular stone arch spans supported by stone piers. It is the oldest stone railroad bridge in use in the State of Pennsylvania today. This bridge is very impressive in appearance and has been compared to Roman aqueducts in terms of visual appearance. The bridge has received designation as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
The trail travels underneath one of the stone arches, before crossing N Main St. This next section has also been upgraded. Trail continues North, to the NY border, paralleling State Line Rd and the Susquehanna River, ending after about 39 miles.
O&W RAIL TRAIL SECTION:
Starting from the Homestead Street parking lot in Simpson; I haven't checked out this section. From the parking lot, travel just up Homestead St, past the trailhead sign to the start of the D&H Rail Trail. I believe the trail surface consists of hard packed dirt, grass & gravel, but not sure. The trail heads into the woods and travels North, above the Lackawanna River below to your left. Come to an intersection at 1.2 miles.
Note; Here you can *Connect to the D&H Rail Trail on your left.
After 2.2 miles you come to another intersection.
Note; Here you can again **Connect to the D&H Rail Trail on your left.
At 2.8 miles, the trail heads more inland. Cross a bridge over Clarks Creek and cross Marion St before crossing Main St (Route 247) at 4.8 miles. The trail continues North through the woods, before coming to Route 171 after 7 miles.
Note; Just before Route 171, a dirt trail to your left ***Connects you to the D&H Rail Trail. This is the last spot the two trails are close together, so it makes for an ideal spot to Loop South, back along the D&H Rail Trail.
The next section is on-road along Route 171. After that the Mid-Section is privately owned and allows ATVs with trail passes. From Poyntelle North, it is owned and regulated as low-maintenance roads by Preston and Buckingham Townships to the West Branch Delaware River.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR LACKAWANNA RIVER TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SCRANTON SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR MID VALLEY SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR UPPER VALLEY SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR D&H RAIL TRAIL MAP
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT