Mocanaqua (aka Shickshinny) – Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers

About The Area

Mocanaqua is a small town located on the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County. Dispersed in the foothills, you will find several crags and boulder “gardens”. These include such area as Paradise, The Library, Squirrel Rock , Main Wall, The Boulder Garden, The Coal Bowl, Hawk Rock, The Penitentiary, and other sub areas.

LocationMocanaqua

AmbassadorAaron Stredny

GuidebookNext Ascent Apps

Land ManagerDCNR State Forest, Earth Conservancy

Native LandSusquehannock and unverified portions

ACCESS

Paradise, Library, and Hawk Rock Closed to Climbing:

During the recent public OHV study meetings linked below, The Earth Conservancy has made it clear that they do not allow rock climbing on their land. The Library, Paradise, and Hawk Rock all fall within Earth Conservancy Land, and are therefore closed to climbing. The Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of climbers is currently working with the Access Fund, Earth Conservancy, and DCNR to reopen these areas to climbing. Please be respectful of this closure and utilize the other crags around Mocanaqua to avoid further jeopardizing our future access of these beloved crags.

PROJECTS

An OHV (off highway vehicle) recreation area feasibility study is currently underway. EPAC and the Access Fund are committed to representing climbing as the planning process progresses. Updates will be posted below as information comes available.

•December 14, 2021

Dry tooling at the Narrows

In short, don’t do it! Dry tooling is expressingly prohibited at the Narrows for two reasons. First, the DCNR ROCK CLIMBING, RAPPELING, AND BOULDERING MANAGEMENT POLICY AND GUIDELINES actually prohibits all dry tooling on DCNR lands unless permission is given to do so. “Wait..what?” is the reaction that most people are having after reading that...

•August 16, 2021

Mocanaqua Public Meeting #2

On August 4, 2021, the Earth Conservancy held its second public meeting regarding the Newport Township OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) feasibility study. Over 10,000 acres of land, comprised of various parcels, is being considered. This includes all of the Mocanaqua climbing areas including the Library, Paradise, Main Wall, Squirrel Rock, Hawk Rock, The Penitentiary, and...

•February 12, 2021

Mocanaqua Public Meeting

Members of the EPAC and the Access Fund attended the virtual public meeting held on February 11, 2021. Rock Climbers were mentioned throughout the presentation as a user group of the area. Presentation slides and the meeting video can be found on the project website. EPAC and the Access Fund are reaching out to those...

•February 4, 2021

Action Required for Mocanaqua

Mocanaqua in Northeast Pennsylvania includes areas such as Paradise, The Library, Squirrel Rock , Main Wall, The Boulder Garden, The Coal Bowl, Hawk Rock, The Penitentiary, and all of the sub areas. Newport Township is conducting a study to explore the creation of an Off Highway Vehicle Park on lands that include the Mocanaqua climbing...