Venture into NEPA’s great northern Pocono Mountains at Prompton State Park in Prompton, PA. This somewhat secluded, rural park in central Wayne County is a favorite getaway for hikers, mountain bikers and kayakers. The park offers nearly 26 miles of scenic and mostly rustic, forest trails and meandering mountain streams. It’s both a quiet, natural escape for families and an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.

The 290-acre Prompton Lake spans nearly the entire park. The manmade finger lake was built in 1960 and has primarily served as an integral part of the Lackawaxen River flood control system. The south end of Prompton Lake features a 1,230-foot-wide earthen dam. The scenic lake also serves as the centerpiece of the park with a variety of activities like fishing, boating and picnicking.

Prompton State Park is open all year from sunrise to sunset. Get outside. Grab a park map. And discover everything this NEPA favorite has to offer. Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights.

Hiking & Mountain Biking

Prompton State Park’s location within the heavily-forested northern Pocono Mountains provides unmatched tranquility, stunning scenery and, most importantly, light traffic. As far as hiking and mountain biking go, Prompton is about as good as it gets. The narrow, north-to-south running park features close to 26 miles of trails. The mostly rocky and rooted terrain offers incredible mountain biking conditions. And nearly every trail features small streams, sweeping overlooks of the lake or mountains and the occasional waterfall.

The East Shore Trail, at a total length of 4.5 miles, is Prompton’s longest trail. It runs the length of the lake on the eastern shore from the park’s north entrance on Beech Grove Road to the top of the dam at the southern point. Here, you can pick up the Western Shore Trail and, adding another 3.5 miles, complete the loop of the entire lake. The Eastern Shore Trail also serves as a primary connector to many of the park’s other trails.

All of Prompton State Park’s hiking trails are open to mountain biking.

Boating, Fishing & Hunting

Prompton State Park is also home to plenty of NEPA’s favorite outdoor recreational activities. Prompton Lake, classified as a warmwater fishery, holds healthy populations of crappie, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Shore fishing is accessible at various points along the lakeside trails and near the public boat launch. Fishing by both motorized boat and non-powered craft is also permitted.

Boaters can access the lake via the public boat launch on the west shore (accessible from PA-170). Motorized boats must not exceed 10 horsepower or 7.5 kWh. All motorized boats must display a current boat registration. Non-motorized craft such as kayaks, row boats and canoes must display PA State Parks launch/mooring permits or PA Fish and Boat Commission launch permits.

Hunting is permitted throughout most of Prompton State Park during regular, established seasons. Hunters can commonly find deer, turkey and small game. Hunters, trappers and dog trainers are responsible for recognizing areas of the park where such activities are posted as restricted.

All fishing, boating, hunting and trapping activities in the park are subject to PA DCNR and PA Fish and Boat Commission and PA Game Commission rules and regulations.

Sledding & Cross-Country Skiing

You’ll also find plenty of fun, wintertime activities within Prompton State Park. During the snowy months, the park becomes a popular destination for sledding. Ample hills throughout the park offer hours of family fun. Many of the park’s trails and open meadows can also be used for cross-country skiing. Of course, quiet, snowy hikes are always an option, too.

Late winter ice season also provides avid local anglers the opportunity to ice fish on Prompton Lake.

Wildlife Viewing, Picnicking and Disc Golf

No matter the season, the bountiful wildlife at Prompton State Park is always active. The park has become a popular stop for bird watchers, nature photographers and amateur critter spotters. Plenty of species from amphibians and snakes to large deer and black bear call the park home. Bring the camera and the binoculars.

You can make a whole day of your visit to Prompton State Park. Pack a lunch and grab a picnic table, or enjoy the picnic pavilion near the dam. The park’s picnic tables are first come, first served. They are located in the area surrounding the boat launch on the lake’s western shore.

In recent years, Prompton State Park has become a popular destination for avid disc golfers. The park features a challenging, yet scenic 18-hole disc golf course overlooking Prompton Lake. The course is located in the recreational area near the dam on the park’s south end.

Plan a Trip

Prompton State Park is easily-accessible from Interstates 81, 84, 380 and the PA Turnpike. It’s located directly off of PA Route 6, and just a short drive from any point in the Pocono Mountains. Nearby, you’ll find bustling communities like Hawley, Honesdale, Lake Ariel and Carbondale. And it’s roughly a 30-minute drive from Scranton. Within the immediate area of the park, there are plenty of popular restaurants, boutique hotels and B&B’s, fun amenities and so much more.