The park is named for Frances Slocum, who was taken captive by a group of Lenape on November 2, 1778, when she was just five years old.

Frances was held for the night under a rock ledge along Abraham Creek in what is now part of the state park.

Frances, now called "Mocanaquah" (meaning "Young Bear"), lived for the rest of her life in Indiana.

Her final resting place is marked with a monument along the banks of the Mississinewa River in Indiana.

[2] Frances Slocum Lake was built to help control flooding in the North Branch Susquehanna River basin in 1968.

[2] About 700 acres (280 ha) of Frances Slocum State Park are open to hunting.

Fisherman can catch crappie, bluegill, walleye, muskellunge, pickerel, and smallmouth and largemouth bass from the shore, fishing pier and from electric or non-powered boats.

That building is no longer used, and camper registration is performed at the Main Office near the entrance to the Park.

Frances Slocum State Park has 9 miles (14 km) of hiking trails.