Winter

Promised Land State Park stays open every day through the winter. More than 23 miles of marked snowmobile trails cross the park and Delaware State Forest, every trail is open to snowshoeing, and the office lends snowshoes free on weekdays once 6 inches of snow is down. Both lakes freeze for ice fishing, skating and iceboating, though the park does not check the ice. A few Pickerel Point campsites and cottages stay open all winter.

Snowmobiling

Registered snowmobiles may ride more than 23 miles of designated trails on state park and state forest land, marked with orange diamonds. The season runs once the last December deer season closes and until April 1, if the weather allows. Each sled needs a registration and follow Pennsylvania's snowmobile rules. Snowmobile maps are at the park office and the Delaware State Forest office.

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing

Snowshoes are allowed on every trail, and the park trails are open for skiing too. DCNR's picks for both are the trails of the Bruce Lake Natural Area and Conservation Island. Check each trail's difficulty first; Little Falls, for example, is rocky and rated More Difficult.

The park office lends snowshoes, with a photo ID, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, once there are at least 6 inches of snow.

Ice Fishing, Skating and Iceboating

All three happen on the lakes' natural ice, and the park does not measure it. DCNR's minimums:

• Ice fishing and skating: solid ice no thinner than 4 inches for a single person, 7 for a small group.
• Iceboating: at least 6 inches. Iceboats need a state park or Fish and Boat Commission launch permit, and from November 1 through April 30 everyone on a boat under 16 feet must wear a life jacket.

Bass, pickerel and panfish are the usual catch through the ice. See Fishing for the full ice safety list, and check DCNR's Winter Report for current conditions.

Winter Ice Safety

• Drill test holes with an auger before you trust the ice.
• Bring rescue gear and wear a PFD.
• Spread out; do not crowd one spot.
• Edge ice is weaker, and so is ice near logs, docks and plants.
• Avoid cracks that meet and any water lying on the ice.
• Never go out alone, and stay off after several days above freezing.

Staying Overnight

Limited modern electric campsites and the camping cottages at Pickerel Point are open year round, booked through 888-PA-PARKS or online. DCNR warns that winter access is not always guaranteed in severe weather. The Bear Wallow cabins close in early December.

Good For

• Snowmobilers wanting park and forest trails from one base.
• Families trying snowshoes for free.

Maybe Skip If

• It has been a warm winter: there may be no snow or safe ice. Check the Winter Report first.