Though its name may be an ironic title given by the Shakers (who were disappointed with the rocky, inhospitable soil that the land had to provide), Promised Land State Park has since regrown its forests into a beautiful, scenic spot for visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Poconos’ diverse woodland habitats. Read on below to learn more about why you and your guests should visit Promised Land State Park and see how it came to live up to its name!
Promised Land State Park extends over the course of 3,000 acres on the Pocono Plateau, encompassed by nearly 12,500 acres of the Delaware State Forest. Here, you can enjoy exploring the thick swathes of forests over miles and miles of hiking trails, as well as boating, kayaking, and fishing in the two lakes within the park. Wildlife watching is also popular here, with the Wildlife Observation Station allowing visitors to view an eagle’s nest. Additionally, the Masker Museum is located onsite, allowing you to mix in a bit of the natural and cultural history of the park with your outdoor adventures.
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Learn More About the Promised Land State Park
In the Colonial Era, the Shakers found the terrain within what is now Promised Land State Park to be useless for farming. Instead of settling the land, they sold it off for lumber and timber, which nearly led the forests to become wiped out. Fortunately for today’s visitors, the land was restored during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s widespread public works project during the Great Depression.
Like most Pennsylvania state parks, Promised Land State Park is open year-round, from dawn until dusk. However, day-use areas close at sunset. Portions of the park are open seasonally, such as overnight areas and the beach.
You’ll encounter Promised Land State Park at 100 Lower Lake Rd., Greentown, PA 18426. The park is best accessed from either Highway 80 or Highway 84. You can also learn more by calling (570) 676-3428, by emailing promisedlandsp@pa.gov, or by speaking with one of our representatives at Pocono Mountain Rentals.
Now, don’t get us wrong, you could spend entire days in Promised Land State Park and still not see or do all there is to do, but if you happen to be interested in what Greentown, Pennsylvania has to offer, we’re here to be your tour guides! You can pick up a little souvenir as a remembrance of your time in the park with a visit to Pine Cone Gift Shop, located at 390 Promised Land Lake within the Promised Land State Park. Offering all the expected tchotchkes and t-shirts, plus some unexpected treasures, spending some time in this quaint shop will be fun for all members of your family.
If you’re looking for treasures of the more historic type, the Hawley Antique Exchange at 209 Bellemonte Avenue is just a short drive away! Stocked full with depression glass, vintage clothing, and furniture pieces that could have come straight from your great grandmother’s home, the prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is friendly and inviting. And finally, as you continue on your road trip adventures in the Poconos, if you have an extra hour or so left in this day, stopping by Klues Escape Room in nearby Stroudsburg could be the cherry on the top of your very delicious sundae! Located at 542 Main Street and offering four exciting and unique rooms to choose from, Klues is the perfect way to get your family working in sync with each other and offers a reasonable price for admission.
As you spend more and more of your time out in nature, you may discover that your appetite increases exponentially, but that’s ok; there are plenty of dining options in the area that are capable of meeting the challenge of filling your bellies! John’s Italian Restaurant, 1406 PA-507 in Greentown, offers the classic Italian dishes we all love so much, including hand-tossed pizzas topped with all your favorite toppings. When seeking a sophisticated meal served with smooth wines, visit Glass- wine. bar. kitchen., located at 119 Falls Avenue in Hawley, which is famous for their small plates and award-winning wines.
And finally, if your path has led you to Stroudsburg, this larger but still small town has a variety of restaurants destined to sate your food cravings! Test out the pancakes at Compton’s Pancake House for breakfast (110 Park Avenue), the burgers that have been named the best burgers in town at The Sarah Street Grille (550 Quaker Alley), or simply enjoy an elegant steak dinner at Garlic Steakhouse (907 Main Street) at the end of a long and exciting day.
For more information about Promised Land State Park and other incredible locales worth visiting during your time in the Poconos, contact our team of reservation specialists today and ask about booking your lodgings in one of our wonderful vacation rentals!