Enjoy the Pocono Mountains at Promised Land State Park
Explore the Pocono Mountains in all seasons at Promised Land State Park in Greentown, PA. The 3,000-acre park offers an escape into the unspoiled wilderness of the Pocono Lake Region. Visitors can enjoy year-round beauty—from spring’s mountain laurel and rhododendron blooms to fiery autumn leaves and peaceful, snow-covered winters.
Promised Land State Park, combined with the surrounding Delaware State Forest, features roughly 50 miles of hiking trails. From easy loops to more difficult out-and-back tails, you’ll find it all from waterfalls and dense forests to abundant wildlife.
The 422-acre Promised Land Lake and 173-acre Lower Lake attract many anglers from summer bass season to the chilly ice fishing months. The lakes combine for a total of nearly 13 miles of shoreline and five boat launch areas. You can even rent non-powered boats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboats.
Promised Land State Park is open all year from sunrise to sunset. Get outside. Grab a park map and check out these highlights.
Promised Land Lake is the hub for summer recreation and relaxation. Two sandy beaches—at the Day Use Picnic Area and Pickerel Point—invite visitors to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy a refreshing day by the water.
The main beach even features a seasonal concession stand, perfect for grabbing a snack or picnic lunch between swims. And the boat rental stand offers a selection of rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
This scenic loop circles the entirety of Conservation Island on Promised Land Lake, offering peaceful forest paths and plenty of waterfront views. The trail is just over a mile long with a flat, easy surface, making it ideal for a relaxing walk or a family-friendly nature outing. In winter, the trail is popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Parking is available just across the bridge from the trailhead.
Located on the western edge of Promised Land State Park, this one-mile loop follows the East Branch of Wallenpaupack Creek and passes several small waterfalls, including one about 10 feet high. Surrounded by lush forest and the soothing sound of flowing water, it’s a peaceful, scenic hike perfect for nature lovers.
Promised Land State Park also features a Family Fishing Program designed to help beginners build confidence and learn essential fishing skills. The program provides loaner poles, bait, and tackle, making it easy for families to enjoy a day on the water together.
Visitors can also borrow fishing gear at the park office and the Masker Museum for a convenient, hands-on fishing experience.
The Masker Museum at Promised Land State Park offers an engaging look into the park’s history and natural environment. Exhibits highlight the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), featuring recreated barracks, artifacts, and interactive displays that bring the era to life.
Visitors can also explore natural history exhibits about local wildlife, plants, and ecosystems, along with a children’s activity area, bird observation stations, and a native plant garden.
Beginning in 2026, Promised Land State Park will offer glamping through a partnership with Timberline Glamping. The park will feature 10 luxurious glamping sites with two spacious layouts designed to accommodate 4–6 guests. Each site will include home-like comforts such as a Keurig coffee maker, mini fridge, rugs, lamps, diffuser and residential-style heating and air conditioning.
Learn MoreYear-Round Fun at Promised Land State Park
With plenty of fishing on two pristine lakes and close to 50 miles of hiking trails between Promised Land State Park and the adjoining Delaware State Forest, spring and summer are ideal at Promised land State Park. Bring a camera to capture birds, wildlife and unique wildflowers almost all year long. Autumn is all about fall foliage around the lakes and on the trails. In winter, ice fishing, hiking and cross-country skiing are popular.
No matter the season, there’s always plenty of outdoor fun at Promised Land State Park.
Promised Land State Park offers abundant outdoor recreation year-round, with about 1,528 acres open for hunting, trapping, and dog training during established seasons. Hunters can pursue deer, bear and turkey. The park also features fishing on two lakes which are home to bass, pickerel, muskellunge, perch, sunfish, and catfish. Lower Lake is also stocked with brook, brown, and rainbow trout.
Long autumn hikes are a favorite pastime at Promised Land State Park, when the dense forests, colorful wetlands, and shimmering lake views create stunning scenery in every direction. September and October bring some of the park’s most breathtaking photo opportunities as the leaves transform into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.
Promised Land State Park welcomes boaters on its two scenic lakes. Visitors can enjoy the water by rowboat, canoe, kayak, sailboat, paddleboard or electric motorboat. The Day-Use Area also features a non-powered boat rental kiosk.
For seasonal swimming, two sandy beaches are open daily from Memorial Day through mid-September.
Promised Land State Park is home to a rich variety of wildlife from songbirds and bald eagles to black bear and timber rattlesnakes. The regenerated forests of oak, beech and maple attract migratory species like American redstarts and red-eyed vireos. The park was also recognized as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.
Promised Land State Park offers six camping areas with options ranging from rustic sites with basic amenities to full-hookup campsites with water, sewer, and electric connections. Campers can also choose cozy, rustic cabins, all conveniently located near swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking areas.
Looking ahead to 2026, the park will introduce glamping. Each of the 10 luxury sites will include modern comforts like a Keurig coffee maker, mini fridge, A/C and heating, rugs and lamps.
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The Day Use Picnic Area sits beside Promised Land Lake in a beautiful woodland setting, just steps from the main beach, boat rental, and refreshment stand. It offers plenty of amenities, including parking, restrooms, water, trash containers, a playground, sand volleyball court, and basketball hoop.
Two picnic pavilions are available and can be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee.
Promised Land State Park offers endless winter recreation opportunities, from ice fishing and ice skating to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Even in the colder months, visitors can explore scenic hiking trails or enjoy a peaceful camping experience surrounded by snow-covered forests. It’s the perfect destination for those who love outdoor adventure year-round.
Make it a Day Trip
Conservation Tip
By following these responsible outdoor ethics from our friends at DCNR, we can help keep Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests top-tier outdoor recreation destinations for generations to come.
Leave No Trace
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know regulations, prepare for weather and emergencies, travel in small groups, minimize waste, and use a map and compass instead of marking trails.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stay on established trails, camp at least 200 feet from water, and avoid damaging pristine areas.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash, use catholes for human waste, and wash dishes 200 feet from water sources with biodegradable soap.
- Leave What You Find: Preserve historical sites, avoid disturbing nature, and prevent the spread of invasive species.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use stoves when possible, keep fires small, burn wood to ash, and fully extinguish campfires.
- Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance, don’t feed animals, store food properly, and control pets to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Respect others by keeping noise low, yielding on trails, and camping away from high-traffic areas.
Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 2/20/2024.
Promised Land State Park
