Promised Land State Park

About 3,000 acres in size, Promised Land State Park is on the Pocono Plateau, 1,800 feet above sea level, and is surrounded by 12,464 acres of the Delaware State Forest, including natural areas. Visitors can enjoy:

Fishing and boating in two lakes
Rustic cabins
Camping
Miles of hiking trails
Exploring the forests
The forests of the park consist primarily of beech, oak, maple, and hemlock trees. Two lakes and several small streams add to the park’s outstanding scenic beauty.

Hiking at Promised Land State Park

50 miles of trails

There are approximately 50 miles of hiking trails in Promised Land State Park and the surrounding Delaware State Forest. Splendid opportunities exist for nature study, relaxation, and exploration. You can:

Hike Bruce Lake Trail to a natural glacial lake
See the small waterfalls along Little Falls Trail
Walk a loop around Conservation Island -- a self-guided trail guide to Conservation Island can be obtained at the park office
The trails lead through areas rich in historic and scenic interest. This is especially true from mid-May until mid-June when the native mountain laurel and rhododendron are in bloom. Lowbush and highbush blueberries usually ripen during late July. Fall foliage usually peaks during early October.

Picnicking at Promised Land State Park

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. The Falls Pavilion is ADA accessible.
The Day Use Picnic Area is next to Promised Land Lake, in a scenic woodland setting. The main beach, boat rental, and refreshment stand are all within a short walk.

The picnic area has:

Parking
Playground
Water
Trash containers
Sand volleyball court
Basketball hoop
Restrooms

Stay the Night at Promised Land State Park

Camping

Flush toilets, warm showers, electric hook-ups, some full-service hook-ups

There are six camping areas. Campgrounds vary from rustic (flush toilets, no showers, and no electricity) to full hookup (sewer, electric, and water hookup on site). All campgrounds are near swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.

Swimming at Promised Land State Park

Two sand beaches are open daily from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset.

The main beach is in the Day Use Picnic Area.

The Pickerel Point Beach is on the end of Pickerel Point.

Smoke-Free Beach
Smoking is prohibited on the beaches and in the swimming areas. For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beaches, designated areas adjacent to the beaches are provided. The restriction includes:

Cigarettes
Pipes
Cigars
E-cigarettes
Other handheld, lighted smoking devices

Wildlife Watching at Promised Land State Park

Promised Land State Park is located within the Pocono Plateau, a rugged highland with:

Rocky soil
Nutrient-poor bogs
Dark evergreen forests
Diversity of wildlife and plants
About 20,000 years ago, a giant sheet of ice about one mile thick covered Promised Land. The park’s rocky soil is comprised of glacial till, providing direct evidence of the glacier. Much of the park is characterized by sphagnum moss bogs, evergreen trees, and thin, rocky soil.

Common to this habitat are:

Blackburnian warblers
Red-breasted nuthatches
Timber rattlesnakes
During the spring, spotted and Jefferson salamanders and wood frogs flock to the bogs and seasonal pools to breed.

Due to logging of the forests during the early 1900s, large portions of the forest have re-grown with a mix of deciduous trees such as beech, oak, and maple.

Common migratory songbirds that visit these forests are:

American redstarts
Red-eyed vireos
Blackburnian warblers
The National Audubon Society has designated Promised Land State Park as an Important Bird Area.

During early May, before any trees leaf out, serviceberry trees flower with a beautiful display of white. During mid- to late-May, the plentiful mountain laurel blooms, followed in mid-June by the rhododendron.

During mid- to late-July, the lowbush and highbush blueberries bear fruit, providing a feast for bears, birds, and people.

Black bear are common in the park. This omnivore eats plants, grasses, berries, and occasionally meat. Unfortunately, bears find human food to be nearly irresistible. Please observe wildlife from a safe distance and do not feed wildlife.

A wildlife observation station is located on Lower Lake by the Bear Wallow Boat Launch. Approach the area quietly for the best chance to see waterfowl and other animals.

Plants and animals are protected at the park. Take only pictures and leave only footprints when you leave Promised Land. It is illegal to remove natural items such as flowers, feathers, and pine cones from Pennsylvania state park and state forest land.

Feeding Canada geese and other waterfowl at the swimming areas results in large quantities of fecal droppings, which is offensive to park visitors and a potential health hazard. It is also against Pennsylvania state park regulations.

Boating at Promised Land State Park

Electric motors only

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. One boat launch is ADA accessible.
The 422-acre Promised Land Lake offers approximately nine miles of shoreline, while the 173-acre Lower Lake has almost four miles.

There are five boat launching areas. Five boat mooring areas offer a total of 170 mooring spaces, which may be rented from April through October each year.

Fishing at Promised Land State Park

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. An ADA-accessible fishing pier is on Promised Land Lake.
The 422-acre Promised Land Lake and the 173-acre Lower Lake offer great opportunities for fishing.

Common fish species are:

Largemouth and smallmouth bass
Pickerel
Muskellunge
Yellow perch
Sunfish
Catfish
Lower Lake is an approved trout waters and is stocked with brook, brown, and rainbow trout. A trout stamp is required to fish in these waters. Fishing is prohibited prior to the start of the trout season.

Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is popular on both lakes, with bass, pickerel, and panfish the most common fish caught through the ice.

Hunting at Promised Land State Park

During established seasons, about 1,528 acres are open to:

Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:

Deer
Bear
Turkey
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

Biking at Promised Land State Park

6.5 miles of roads

Riders share the road on the 6.5-mile, paved road around Promised Land Lake, Lower Lake Road, and in the park’s six campgrounds.

Children age 12 and under MUST wear a helmet, and others are encouraged to wear a helmet.

Please ride single file on all park roads.

All Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Statutes apply when riding on state park roads.

Please avoid riding PA 390 when possible; use Rhododendron Trail instead.

Mountain Biking at Promised Land State Park

Mountain biking is permitted on designated trails only within Delaware State Forest.

Horseback Riding at Promised Land State Park

Promised Land State Park provides access to selected equestrian trails in Delaware State Forest.

Horseback riding is allowed on park roads and in designated trails in Promised Land State Park.

Rentals are not available.

Cross-Country Skiing at Promised Land State Park
Cross-country skiing is permitted on all trails.

Bruce Lake Natural Area and Conservation Island have the best trails for cross-country skiing.

Snowshoeing at Promised Land State Park

Snowshoeing is permitted on all trails.

Bruce Lake Natural Area and Conservation Island have the best trails for snowshoeing.

During the winter season, snowshoes are available for loan from the park office with a photo ID, from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday to Friday. Six inches or more of snow is required in order to borrow snowshoes.

Ice Skating at Promised Land State Park

Conditions permitting, ice skating occurs on the natural ice of Promised Land Lake. Contact the park office for information.

Please confirm ice thickness before skating.

Snowmobiling at Promised Land State Park

Registered snowmobiles may be used on more than 23 miles of groomed, designated trails. The trails, which are on both state park and state forest lands, are open daily after the end of deer season in late December; weather permitting.