Promised Land State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Promised Land State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Green forest at Promised Land State Park
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 Promised Land State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
Promised Land State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pike County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 3,000 acres (12 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,745 ft (532 m) |
| Established | 1905 |
| Named for | A so called Promised Land that the earliest settlers were told they would find. |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Promised Land State Park |
Promised Land State Park is a super cool state park in Pike County, Pennsylvania. It's located in the Poconos and covers about 3,000 acres. This park is mostly surrounded by the huge Delaware State Forest. It sits high up, around 1,800 feet above sea level. The forests here are "second growth," meaning they grew back after old trees were cut down. You'll find beech, maple, oak, and hemlock trees. There are also two beautiful lakes inside the park. Promised Land State Park is about 10 miles north of Canadensis.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) thinks this park is pretty special. They even named it one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks."
Contents
Park History and Early Settlers
Promised Land State Park was once the hunting grounds for the Lenape Indian tribe. Their land became part of the Province of Pennsylvania. This colony was started by William Penn under King Charles II of England. William Penn wanted Pennsylvania to be a place where everyone had religious freedom.
Later, a religious group called the Shakers came from England. They bought some land in the Promised Land area. However, they didn't stay. Instead, they sold the land to lumber companies. These companies cut down all the trees to send wood to Philadelphia for building ships. This clear-cutting happened many times.
How the Park Began
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought the land in 1902. The forestry department then worked hard to regrow the forests. Promised Land State Park officially opened in 1905. It was one of the very first state parks in Pennsylvania!
Building the Park with the CCC
Many of the buildings and areas you see today were built in the 1930s. This was during the Great Depression, a time when many people didn't have jobs. President Franklin D. Roosevelt started the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to help. Young men in the CCC got paid, food, and a place to live. In return, they worked to restore the forests. They built roads, trails, and bridges. They also fought wildfires and planted new trees.
Some of these old buildings are very important. Whittaker Lodge and the Bear Wallow Cabins are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are special because of their history and how they were built.
Nature and Wildlife at Promised Land
After the forests grew back, Promised Land State Park became home to many different animals and plants. The soil here is often rocky and shallow. There are also many bogs, which are wet, spongy areas. These bogs and the dark evergreen forests are leftovers from the huge glaciers that covered Pennsylvania long ago. When the glaciers melted, they left behind rocky soil that doesn't drain well, creating the bogs.
Forest Birds and Bog Creatures
The evergreen trees attract cool birds like the red breasted nuthatch and Blackburnian warbler. In springtime, salamanders and wood frogs come to the bogs to lay their eggs.
Not all trees are evergreens. Some deciduous trees (which lose their leaves in fall) have also grown here. These trees bring in different birds, such as the American redstart and red-eyed vireo.
Meeting Black Bears and Other Animals
American black bears are often seen at Promised Land State Park. They love the many plants, grasses, and berries found here. If you see a bear, be very careful! Bears usually avoid people. But if they get used to being fed by humans, they can become dangerous. They are super fast, strong, and good at climbing. Bears also have an amazing sense of smell. Always keep your food securely stored and never leave it out overnight.
Besides bears, you might spot other large animals. White-tailed deer are common. Early in the morning, you might see groups of wild turkeys looking for food. There's a special wildlife observation deck on Lower Lake. From there, you might see different waterfowl and even bald eagles! Eagles have been nesting in the area for a few years now.
Please remember not to feed any wildlife. Feeding raccoons, squirrelss, or chipmunks can expose you to rabies. Also, feeding Canada geese in the swimming areas makes a big mess!
Fun Activities and Recreation
Promised Land State Park is open all year for lots of fun activities! You can go hiking, birding, fishing, swimming, boating, horseback riding, trail biking, camping, and even ice skating in winter.
Fishing and Hunting Adventures
Promised Lake and Lower Lake are great for fishing, even ice fishing! You can catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, pickerel, muskellunge, and yellow perch. Lower Lake is also stocked with brook, rainbow, and brown trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Make sure to follow all fishing rules!
Hunting is allowed in certain areas of the park. Hunters must follow the rules of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. You might hunt for turkey, white-tailed deer, and black bear. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed.
Trails and Boating Fun
There are about 50 miles of trails in the park and nearby state forests. These trails are perfect for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and mountain biking. They go through different habitats, so you can see lots of wildlife.
You can't use gas-powered boats on the lakes. But electric-powered and non-powered boats are welcome! Just make sure they are registered or have a launch permit. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats at a concession stand.
Picnics and Beach Time
The park has a central picnic and beach area right by Promised Land Lake. It's a lovely spot in the woods. You'll find a sandy beach, a boat launch, picnic tables, and grills. There are also restrooms with pay showers, a concession stand, and a sand volleyball court. You can even reserve pavilions for your group!
Staying Overnight in the Park
If you want to stay longer, Promised Land State Park has four campgrounds and some rustic cabins. The cabins were built by the CCC during the Great Depression!
- Lower Lake Campground is right on Lower Lake. It's open from mid-April to mid-December. This campground has flush toilets and hot showers.
- Deerfield Campground is tucked away in a rocky forest. It's open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. It has flush toilets, but showers are a short walk away in the picnic area. Deerfield is over 95 years old! It got new tables, fire rings, and lantern holders in 2010.
- Pickerel Point Campground is on a peninsula on Promised Land Lake. It has walk-in campsites along the shore. This campground was updated and reopened in 2012. It has modern facilities, including eco-friendly bathhouses. It even has the first campsites with sewer hookups in all of Pennsylvania's state parks!
- The Pines Campground is on the northwest shore of Promised Land Lake. It's open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It has flush toilets, but no showers directly in the campground. You can find pay showers nearby in the picnic area.
- Bear Wallow Cabins Colony is a group of 12 rustic cabins. The CCC built and used them in the 1930s. Each cabin has a fireplace, refrigerator, beds, and electricity. They also have a modern shower and toilet in a separate building.
Masker Museum: Learn About History and Nature
The park's Masker Museum is a great place to visit! It has exhibits about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and all the amazing work they did in the park. You can see a barracks with beds, hear interactive stories, and look at old tools.
The museum also teaches you about the park's natural history. You'll learn about the animals, plants, and different ecosystems here. There are fun activities for kids, a bird observation area with outdoor feeders, and a garden with native plants.
The museum is located off Pickerel Point Road, near the amphitheater and Pickerel Point Campground. It's free to enter!
Nearby State Parks to Explore
Here are some other state parks within 30 miles of Promised Land State Park:
- Archbald Pothole State Park (Lackawanna County)
- Big Pocono State Park (Monroe County)
- Gouldsboro State Park (Monroe and Wayne Counties)
- High Point State Park (New Jersey)
- Prompton State Park (Wayne County)
- Swartswood State Park (New Jersey)
- Tobyhanna State Park (Monroe and Wayne Counties)
- Varden Conservation Area (Wayne County)
