Tucked into the Pocono Plateau in Pike County, Promised Land State Park spans 3,000 acres of dense hemlock forests, glacial lakes, and rocky streams that feel remarkably wild for being just two hours from New York City and Philadelphia. Established in 1905, it’s one of Pennsylvania’s oldest state parks — and one of its most rewarding for visitors who love water and woods in equal measure.

Two lakes anchor the park: Promised Land Lake and Lower Lake, both excellent for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing for bass, pickerel, and panfish. A public beach on Promised Land Lake draws families all summer, while the quieter Lower Lake appeals to anglers and paddlers seeking solitude. In winter, the park transforms into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination, with miles of trails winding through snow-draped evergreens.

Over 50 miles of trails range from easy lakeside loops to rugged paths through the adjacent Delaware State Forest, making this a strong choice for hikers and mountain bikers. The Conservation Island Nature Trail offers an easy, interpretive walk perfect for kids.

Summer weekends fill up fast, so plan ahead — late spring and early fall deliver fewer crowds with spectacular scenery, especially when autumn foliage lights up the hardwood ridges. Winters are cold and snowy at this elevation, which is exactly the point for those chasing a quiet, wintry landscape.

Expect well-maintained facilities, friendly rangers, and the kind of deep-woods atmosphere that’s increasingly hard to find in the mid-Atlantic.

Explore Nearby

• US Highway 278 — Scenic Byway in South Carolina
• National Scenic Byways Program – Pennsylvania — Scenic Byway in Pennsylvania
• Little Gap Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania
• Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area (Trilobite) — Public Land
• Cliff Ridge Hang Gliding Area — Public Land