Big Bass Lake is a private lake community in Gouldsboro (ZIP 18424), at the northern edge of the Poconos. It's also a Census-designated place spanning three townships in two counties: Clifton and Covington townships in Lackawanna County, and Lehigh Township in Wayne County. About 1,337 people lived there in 2020, on 4.37 square miles that include about a quarter-square-mile of water.
It sits at roughly 1,830 feet, about 8 minutes from Gouldsboro State Park's beach and lake and about half an hour from Scranton, Kalahari and Mount Pocono. The association's own rules sit behind a member login, so this guide covers what's public: township rules, nearby parks and where to shop and get care.
Big Bass Lake rental rules: which township?
- Covington Township (Lackawanna County) has posted a short-term rental ordinance that calls for a yearly permit, occupancy of 2 people per bedroom plus 4, at least 1 parking space per bedroom, a local contact person, and proof that the community's rules don't ban short-term rentals.
- Clifton Township (Lackawanna County) lists a Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ord. 4-2025, December 2025) in its township code. Owners should get the current rules from the township.
- Lehigh Township (Wayne County): we couldn't find its short-term rental rules online. Ask the township.
- Every host on our site is responsible for the home's township short-term rental permit. Your host will confirm house rules, occupancy limits and any community passes before you arrive.
Sources: Covington Township short-term rental ordinance (PDF) · Permit rules by township
Things to do near Big Bass Lake
- Gouldsboro State Park, about 8 minutes away: a 250-acre lake with a sand beach (Memorial Day weekend to mid-September), boat rentals in summer and the Old Route 611 Trail.
- Tobyhanna State Park: 5,440 acres around 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake, with a beach, boat rentals and the 5.1-mile Lakeside Trail.
- Steamtown National Historic Site, the free railroad museum in Scranton, about 35 minutes away.
- Kalahari's indoor waterpark, about 30 minutes, and the shops on Route 940 in Mount Pocono, about 25 to 30.
- Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack, about 55 minutes east.
Sources: DCNR: Gouldsboro State Park · DCNR: Tobyhanna State Park · NPS: Steamtown
Big Bass Lake by season
- Winter: cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Gouldsboro and Tobyhanna state parks when there's snow; Steamtown keeps winter hours (Wednesday to Sunday) and runs holiday trains.
- Spring: trout season opens in early April.
- Summer: the free state-park beaches and boat rentals, Memorial Day to mid-September.
- Fall: color usually peaks in early to mid October across the northern Poconos.
Groceries, pharmacy, urgent care and the ER
- ShopRite of Daleville, 921 Drinker Turnpike, Covington Township ((570) 842-7461), about 15 minutes away.
- The nearest pharmacy we could confirm is CVS, 3016 Route 940, Pocono Summit ((570) 839-6670), about 25 minutes away.
- JeffExpress Urgent Care–Tobyhanna, 100 Community Drive, Tobyhanna ((570) 839-1400): open every day, 8 AM to 8 PM, about 25 minutes away.
- Nearest emergency room: Geisinger Community Medical Center, 1800 Mulberry Street, Scranton, open 24 hours and the county's only Level II trauma center, about 30 minutes. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources: ShopRite of Daleville · JeffExpress Urgent Care–Tobyhanna · Geisinger Community Medical Center
How far is Big Bass Lake from Scranton and NYC?
Drive times from the middle of the community on map routes, without traffic:
- Gouldsboro State Park: about 8 minutes. ShopRite of Daleville: about 15. The village of Tobyhanna: about 20.
- Mount Pocono and urgent care in Tobyhanna: about 25 minutes. Kalahari: about 30. Lake Naomi: about 30. Scranton: about 30 to 35. Steamtown: about 35.
- Camelback and Pocono Raceway: about 40 minutes. Jack Frost: about 45. Hawley: about 55.
- New York City (Times Square): about 2 hours 25 minutes (108 miles). Philadelphia: about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Getting to Big Bass Lake
- By car: I-380 to PA 507 at Gouldsboro. From I-80, take Exit 293 onto I-380 north.
- By bus: Martz Trailways serves the Lackawanna Transit Center in Scranton and Mount Pocono (2 Fork Street), each about half an hour away, so plan on a car.
Sources: Martz schedule and stops