Promised Land State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Promised Land State Park is a popular destination located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania.


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Summary

The park offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.

One of the main attractions at Promised Land State Park is the 1,800-acre Promised Land Lake, which provides excellent opportunities for fishing and boating. The park also features many hiking trails, including the Bruce Lake Natural Area Trail and the Little Falls Trail, which offer breathtaking views of the park's natural beauty.

In addition to outdoor activities, Promised Land State Park also offers a variety of educational and interpretive programs for visitors. These programs include guided nature walks, campfire programs, and educational presentations on topics such as wildlife, history, and conservation.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former logging site in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and its designation as a state park in 1954. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Promised Land State Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is the most popular season for boating and fishing, while fall offers stunning foliage views and excellent hiking opportunities. Winter activities include ice fishing and snowmobiling, while spring offers the chance to see blooming wildflowers and migratory birds.

Overall, Promised Land State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking outdoor adventure and natural beauty in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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