Bruce Lake

Bruce Lake is a natural glacial lake in the Bruce Lake Natural Area, a 2,845-acre protected part of Delaware State Forest just north of Promised Land State Park. The usual way in is Bruce Lake Trail, an old state forest road that runs 2.5 miles from a trailhead on PA 390 to the lake, rated Easiest by DCNR. Because it lies in the state forest, the area is run by DCNR's Bureau of Forestry, not by the park.

How the Lake Formed

DCNR explains that ice from the Wisconsin glacier gouged a hollow in the bedrock here. When the ice melted, glacial till piled up at the south end and formed a natural dam, and groundwater has kept the basin full ever since. The natural area holds two lakes, wetlands and unusual plants, and nearby Pine Lake Natural Area protects a 10-acre glacial bog.

Hiking Bruce Lake Trail

• Trailhead: the Bruce Lake trailhead on PA 390, GPS 41.34137, -75.20773.
• To the lake: 2.5 miles each way on an old forest road, blue blazes, Easiest.
• The long way: past the lake the trail goes 7.5 more miles to meet Boundary Trail on the east side of Promised Land Lake, 10 miles in all.
• Allowed uses: hiking, plus snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

Out and back to the lake is 5 miles, so allow a half day and carry water. The tread is a wide old road, but like everything on the plateau it is rocky. Download the park map first; it shows the natural area and the junction numbers.

Birds and Plants

The National Audubon Society includes Promised Land State Park in the Bruce Lake Natural Area Important Bird Area. Expect forest songbirds such as Blackburnian warblers, red-breasted nuthatches and American redstarts in the hemlock and hardwood stands. See Wildlife.

In Winter

DCNR names the Bruce Lake Natural Area trails among the best in the area for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The park office lends snowshoes on weekdays when there are at least 6 inches of snow. See Winter.

Rules in the Natural Area

Camping is not allowed in the state forest land around the park, so Bruce Lake is a day hike; sleep in the park's campgrounds. The state forest has its own rules, set by the Bureau of Forestry. For questions, call the Delaware State Forest district office at 570-895-4000.

Good For

• A longer, quieter walk than the park's short lake trails.
• Seeing a lake left by the glaciers, with no beach or boat traffic.

Maybe Skip If

• You want a short stroll: try Conservation Island.
• You want to camp at the lake: overnight camping is not allowed in the surrounding state forest.