Boating

Promised Land State Park's two lakes are open to boats with electric motors only, run at slow, no-wake speed, which makes them good for rowboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and small sailboats. A boat concession on PA 390 south of the Day Use Area rents rowboats, canoes, one- and two-person kayaks, paddleboats and electric motors by the hour or the day from late May through Labor Day. There are five launch areas, and seasonal mooring is rented April through October.

Boat Rental Hours

The concession opens daily from late May (the Saturday just before Memorial Day) to Labor Day:

• Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It also opens on the two weekends before Memorial Day and the two weekends after Labor Day. Rental boats are kept at Pickerel Point and Lower Lake too, booked through the main concession by the beach. For reservations or questions, the boat rental's number is 570-676-6010. DCNR does not publish rental prices.

What You Can Rent

• Rowboats
• Canoes
• One-person and two-person kayaks
• Paddleboats
• Electric motors to put on a rowboat

Bringing Your Own Boat

Five boat launch areas serve the two lakes, and the Snow Shanty launch on Promised Land Lake is ADA accessible. Your boat must show one of these:

• Motorboats (including electric): a current boat registration.
• Non-powered boats (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, sailboats): any one of these: the boat's own registration, a launch or mooring permit issued by state parks (most park offices sell them), or a Fish and Boat Commission launch permit.

Fish and Boat Commission laws apply on both lakes. From November 1 through April 30, everyone on a boat shorter than 16 feet must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket, under way or at anchor.

Mooring

Five mooring areas hold 170 spaces in all, rented from April through October each year. Ask the park office about openings.

Where to Paddle

Promised Land Lake has about nine miles of shoreline, the island trail and both beaches. Lower Lake is smaller and quieter, with about four miles of shore, the trout fishery and the eagle nest. Stay outside the buoy line that keeps boats 330 feet from the nest.

In Winter

Iceboating is allowed on natural ice once it is at least 6 inches thick. The park does not monitor ice. See Winter.

Good For

• First-time kayakers: no wakes from gas boats.
• Anglers who want a rowboat with an electric motor for the day.

Maybe Skip If

• You want speed: gas outboards are not allowed, and every boat keeps to slow, no-wake speed.