A recreational Guide to Promised Land State Park

A Recreational Guide to

Promised Land State Park

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.

Directions

Make online reservations at: www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

area are marked with a vertical blue blaze. At each trail intersection, a sign will designate the trail name, trail uses, equipment permitted, distances, directions, and other pertinent information. Permitted trail usage is designated by international symbols. Any other markings are NOT relevant to this trail system. Additional trail information and descriptions are available at the park office.

Promised Land State Park and the surrounding state forest, providing access to many natural scenic places. Hike Bruce Lake Road to a natural glacial lake, or see the little waterfalls along Little Falls Trail, or walk a loop around Conservation Island. Splendid opportunities exist for nature study, relaxation and exploration.

The trails lead through areas rich in historic and scenic interest. This is especially true from mid-June until mid-July when the mountain laurel and rhododendron are in bloom and again in mid-October at the height of the fall foliage.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all hiking trails, except snowmobiles, which are allowed on designated snowmobile trails. Before hiking, let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Take a map, stay on the trails and plan to return before dusk. Wear proper attire and footwear when hiking. Be aware of hunting seasons and

hunting areas within the park and wear fluorescent orange clothing during hunting seasons.

Horseback Riding: Promised Land State Park

provides access to selected equestrian trails on state forest lands. Rentals are not available.

paved road around Promised Land Lake. Bicycles are not permitted on hiking trails.

land has trails.

The 422-acre Promised Land Lake and the 173-acre

Lower Lake have five boat launching areas. Five mooring areas offer a total of 170 mooring spaces rented on a seasonal basis. A boat rental is on Promised Land Lake across from Main Beach and rents rowboats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboats.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

éHunting and Firearms: About 450 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, bear and turkey. Adjacent forestry land has additional areas open to hunting.

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. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and

regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the

owner’s car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

Two picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Prior to arrival, busses must get a permit to be in the picnic area.

Swimming: There are two sand beaches that are open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. The Main Beach is in the Picnic Area. The Pickerel Point Beach is on the end of Pickerel Point. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.

All children ten years of age or younger must be accompanied by a person at least 14 years of age. All groups at the beach must meet the state park adult to child ratio requirements for supervision.

There are four camping areas. All campgrounds are near swimming, boating, fishing and hiking. The maximum stay in all camping areas is fourteen days during the summer season and 21 days during the off-season. Campers must vacate the park for 48 hours before setting up again.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Tucked into the trees and rocks, Deerfield Campground is just south of Promised Land Lake and is open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. This rustic area has flush toilets. Pay showers are in the Picnic Area.

Scattered around Promised Land State Park are privately owned cabins on leased land. Please respect the property rights of these cabin owners.

park office.

are permitted on all trails. Bruce Lake Natural Area and Conservation Island are the best trails for skiing.

occurs on Promised Land Lake. Contact the park office for information.

Spring through fall, school programs are offered on a wide variety of topics and levels. Everyone is invited to our traditional summer weekend campfire programs and guided outdoor recreation programs.

The park has a museum that features displays of natural features found in the area and artifacts and the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

A one-mile self-guiding interpretive trail is on

Conservation Island on Promised Land Lake. A trail guide is available for investigating different habitats of this island.

History

The land that became Promised Land State Park was hunting grounds for the Minsi Tribe of the Wolf Clan of the Lenni-Lenape Indians (Delaware).

The religious group, the Shakers, purchased land in the area. After contracting the forests to be timbered, the Shakers left the area.

Early settlers of the area erected sawmills to process the large stands of conifer and hardwood trees. The land was repeatedly clear-cut. With the loss of trees came erosion and forest fires, and migration of wildlife from the area.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land in 1902. Promised Land was the fourth Pennsylvania state park. The Commonwealth worked to protect and reclaim the area and the forest and wildlife began to return. The first park facilities opened to the public in 1905.

In 1933, to relieve the rampant unemployment of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The young men in the CCC received food, clothes and a small paycheck, in return for building roads, trails and recreational facilities, fighting fires, planting trees and performing many other conservation activities. Camp S-139 opened in May of 1933 and closed in July of 1941. The hard working young men transformed the land in and around Promised Land State Park.

On Sunday evening, May 31, 1998, an F-2 tornado (winds of 113 -157 mph) passed through Promised Land State Park. It cut a northeasterly path through the park and crossed Lower Lake Road, PA 390 and North Shore Road near Sucker Brook. Over 500 people were trapped overnight in the park, but no one was seriously hurt. The park office has copies of After the Wind Died Down, a booklet about the tornado and its aftermath.

Wildlife Watching

Promised Land State Park is in the Pocono Plateau, a rugged highland with rocky soil, nutrient-poor bogs, dark evergreen forests and a diversity of animals and plants.

About 20,000 years ago, a giant sheet of ice at least one mile thick covered Promised Land. The very rocky soil is glacial till, evidence of the glacier. Much of the park is characterized by sphagnum moss bogs, evergreen trees and thin, moist, rocky soil. Blackburnian warbler, red-breasted nuthatch and northern waterthrush are common to this habitat. In the spring, spotted and Jefferson salamanders and

wood frogs flock to the bogs to breed.

Due to logging of the forests, large portions of the forest have regrown with a mix of deciduous trees like American beech, many species of oak and red maple trees. American redstart, red-eyed vireo and Louisiana waterthrush are common to these forests.

In early May, before any trees have leaves, the

serviceberry trees flower. In mid-June, the plentiful mountain laurel blooms, followed in late-June to early-July by the rhododendron. In mid-July, the highbush blueberries bear fruit, providing a feast for bears and birds.

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.

Promised Land State Park is an important Bird Area, as designated by the National Audobon Society.

A wildlife observation station is on Lower Lake by Bear Wallow Boat Launch. Approach the area quietly for the best chance to see waterfowl and other animals. Bald eagles have nested in the park for several years and the nest is across the lake from the wildlife observation station.

Plants and animals are protected at the park. Park animals are wild, potentially dangerous and can become a nuisance. Please do not feed any wildlife. Feeding raccoons, squirrels or chipmunks may expose you to the threat of rabies.

Feeding Canada geese at the swimming areas results in large quantities of fecal droppings, which is offensive to park visitors and a potential health hazard.

Many Pennsylvania state parks are habitat for black bears. Although they appear cute and cuddly like a teddy bear, black bears are wild animals.

A black bear can scramble up a tree like a raccoon and sprint as fast as a race horse. Bears use their claws to tear apart rotting logs to find food, and those claws also work well to open garbage cans and coolers. The size and strength of a black bear is astonishing.

Black bears have poor eyesight and fair hearing, but an excellent sense of smell. Aromatic scents coming from your food can attract a curious and hungry bear from a great distance.

Store all food items inside a vehicle. At primitive, walk-in campsites, suspend food between two trees, ten feet in the air and three feet from either tree.

Black bears normally avoid people, but bears dependent on eating human food can become aggressive when people get between them and food.

If you come in contact with a black bear, try chasing it away by making loud noises like yelling, honking a car horn or banging a pot. Notify a park employee if you have difficulties with bears.

Never approach a bear and be especially wary of mother bears and cubs.

éThis symbol indicates facilities and activities that are accessible. This publication text is available in alternative formats.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact: Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, 800-POCONOS.

www.800poconos.com

Varden Conservation Area: Promised Land State

Park serves as the headquarters for Varden Conservation Area. The conservation area is about 25 miles northwest of Promised Land in Varden of Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

The 420-acre conservation area was a donation from veterinarian Dr. Mead Shaffer. There are over 3 miles of trails that navigate through old farm fields, forests, tree plantations and nearby wetlands.

Pennsylvania’s Delaware State Forest:

Promised Land State Park is surrounded by 12,500 acres of Delaware State Forest. There are two nearby natural areas and recreational opportunities like hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. Camping is prohibited in this state forest. 570-895-4000

area contains two lakes, wetlands and unique plants. Bruce Lake is a natural glacier lake.

has a ten-acre glacial bog.

shoreline in PA and NJ, this area offers canoeing, fishing, swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing, waterfalls and historic areas. Visitors can see Dingmans Falls, Zane Grey Home, Roebling Bridge and the Appalachian Trail. 570-426-2452

owned by PPL and is open to public fishing and boating. The lake contains many species of warm-water fish in addition to trout. 570-226-3191

Please make your visit safe and enjoyable. Obey all posted rules and regulations and respect fellow visitors and the resources of the park.

• Be prepared and bring the proper equipment. Natural areas may possess hazards. Your personal safety and that of your family are your responsibility.

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

• Uncontrolled pets may chase wildlife or frighten visitors. Pets must be controlled and attended at all times and on a leash or otherwise safely restrained.

• Do your part to keep wildlife wild! Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and do not feed or approach wild animals.

• Prevent forest fires by having a fire in proper facilities and properly disposing of hot coals. Do not leave a fire unattended.

• Please park only in designated areas and obey all traffic regulations.

• Please recycle. Place trash accumulated during your stay in proper receptacles, or take it home with you.

• Soliciting and posting signs is prohibited without approval from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Contact a park employee or dial 911.

For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital

Wayne County Memorial Hospital

601 Park Street

Honesdale, PA 18431

570-253-8100

For More Information Contact:

Promised Land State Park

R.R. 1, Box 96

Greentown, PA 18426

570-676-3428

e-mail: promisedlandsp@state.pa.us

An Equal Opportunity Employer

www.visitPAparks.com

Make online reservations at: www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.