The Ultimate Watering Hole Hike in the Poconos
Seven Tubs Recreation Area
Take a Hike and Dip in a Watering Pool or “Tub”
Seven Tubs Recreation Area is a gorgeous nature escape located near the city of Wilkes Barre, PA about 20 minutes south of Scranton in the town of Bear Creek. The family friendly recreation area is a popular spot for hiking, swimming, and family outings during the warm summer months on Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The Recreation area is a 537 acre recreation area that boasts watering pools or “tubs” that were formed by glacier run off water of the last ice age. The recreation area also features 2 hiking trails that navigate through the park cutting through sweeping meadows, narrows low-lying trees, and trek parallel to the creek that feeds the pools. The two creeks that flow through eh park are known as Laurel Run and Wheelbarrow Run and are the main driving flows that have cut the gorges and valley and formed the pools.
The recreation area is one of the most scenic outdoor destinations in the area. It is mostly known for and most commonly visited because of the pool (tubs) that are located throughout the recreation area. In certain spots water fall rock slides can be used to slide down to the pools. This is very popular with children especially.
Hikers of all levels flock to the area to take in the pols and trek the loops that wind through the recreation area. Seven Tubs is also a phenomenal location to view wild flowers as it is home to over 60 different types of flowers throughout the park.
How To Get To Seven Tubs Recreation Area
Address: 900 Bear Creek Blvd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Seven Tubs is located a few miles south of downtown Wilkes Barre and right off of Interstate 81 in the town of Bear Creek. From I-81 take exit 170A to merge onto PA-115 South toward Bear Creek. From PA-115 head towards and turn right onto Bear Creek Blvd which will lead you to both. parking areas of the recreation area.
Audubon Trail Loop
Our trip to Seven Tubs was on a very hot July day that features temperatures in the mid 90s. To us that is a perfect day to explore some nature especially when it offers us a chance to cool off in some natural water at the end of our journey.
We chose the Audubon Trail Loop, which is a 1.8 mile loop that circles the area and offers amazing views of the waterfalls and pools. This is a great trail for hikers of all abilities and very common for trail runners. Starting the hike in the parking area, we headed up towards the bridge that leads to main pools and which were very busy that day. From the foot bridge, you will come across a steep set of stairs that lead to the start of the trail.
Onwards To The Water
We trekked forward and weaved through narrow trails following the creeks until we came up a large open field that offers a great view of local valley out in the distance. We continued until we came upon some waterfalls and a waterfall slide leading into a tunnel which was a pretty cool sight. The trail has some elevation in certain spots but the majority of thew hike is rather flat and not difficult and cn be done b y the average or beginner hiker. About 1.5 mile into our hike we cam across some secluded pools away from the hustle and bustle of the main pool which were filled with family and pol goers cooling down from the hot summer day.
We set up camp and enjoyed some quiet and peaceful time on the pool. It was a great way to end our hike. I would definitely recommend this trail and Seven Tubs to anyone looking for a nice hike with some great rewards at the end.
The Other Seven Tubs Recreation Area Hike
Seven Tubs is home to two trails, the Audubon Lop and the Main Loop. The Main Loop is a .3 mile loop that leads from the parking area rio the main pools and passes along a wooden walking bridge that looks down on the rock slides and pools. This is considered a hike but for most of hikers its a nice walk.
