Tucked into the Pocono Plateau where Monroe and Wayne Counties meet, Gouldsboro State Park spans 2,880 acres of glacially carved landscape centered around the 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake. Established in 1958, the park sits at an elevation that keeps summers cool and autumns spectacular, making it a reliable escape from the heat of the lower valleys.

Gouldsboro Lake is the main draw. Anglers come for warm-water species like largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and panfish, while a designated swimming beach offers a sandy shoreline perfect for families. Non-powered and electric boats are welcome, and a launch ramp makes access easy for kayakers and canoeists looking to explore the lake’s quiet coves.

Hikers will find roughly 11 miles of trails winding through mixed hardwood forests and past wetlands that support a surprising diversity of birdlife — great blue herons, ospreys, and migrating warblers are common sightings. The Prospect Rock Trail rewards with elevated views of the surrounding plateau. In winter, these same trails open up for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when the Poconos get their reliable snowfall.

The park shares management with nearby Tobyhanna State Park, and together the two offer a broader network of trails and water access. Picnic pavilions and day-use areas are spread throughout.

Visit in late September through mid-October for peak fall color reflected across the lake, or come in June when the mountain laurel blooms along the trails. Either way, arrive early on weekends — this corner of the Poconos draws a loyal crowd.

Explore Nearby

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