Promised Land State Park

Surrounded by 8,039 acres of state forest, Promised Land State Park offers plenty of hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities among its beech, oak, maple and hemlock trees.

More than 50 miles of trails in the nearly 3,000-acre park and adjacent forest pass many natural attractions and offer hikers opportunities to glimpse deer, black bears and other wildlife.

A 2.5-mile walk by dirt road leads to Bruce Lake, a 48-acre glacial lake. Man-made Egypt Meadow Lake, totaling 60 acres and sitting next to the 100-acre Balsam Swamp, is reached by a half-mile hike. Both lakes are in a designated Natural Area in the state forest.

Ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular in this quiet area. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on roads leading to these lakes.

Campgrounds are located by Promised Land Lake and Lower Lake, where catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, muskellunge, yellow perch and sunfish are fished. Boating with non-powered and electric powered craft is permitted here, and canoes and rowboats can be rented.

A one-mile interpretive trail explores Conservation Island on Promised Land Lake. Park naturalists also offer guided hikes and other nature observation programs during summer.

Snowmobilers use 27 miles of trails in the park and state forest. The forest also has some bridle trails.

In addition to 480 campsites, the park has 12 rustic cabins. Two beaches are open for swimming from Memorial Day to Labor Day.