Honestly, most people heading to Promised Land State Park just pull into the first paved loop they see and call it a day. They’re missing out. If you keep driving, way out onto that narrow finger of land poking into Promised Land Lake, you’ll hit Pickerel Point Campground PA. It’s different. It feels like you’re actually out in the Poconos, not just parked in a crowded lot with a bunch of RVs.
The peninsula location is basically the whole draw. You have water on three sides. Because of that, the breeze is better, the views are actually worth waking up for, and you don’t feel quite so boxed in by your neighbors. But here is the thing: it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for a resort experience with a heated pool and a tiki bar, you’re in the wrong place. This is state park camping at its most literal.
What it’s actually like on the peninsula
Pickerel Point underwent a massive renovation several years back, and it changed the vibe significantly. They added walk-in sites. They put in full hookups. They even built these modern "green" restrooms that use solar power and composting tech. It’s a weird mix of old-school woodsiness and high-tech park management.
You’ve got a few different ways to stay here. The walk-in sites are the crown jewels. You can’t drive your truck right up to the fire ring, which sounds like a pain, but it means you don’t have to listen to your neighbor’s diesel engine idling at 6:00 AM. You park in a designated spot and haul your gear a short distance—usually less than 100 feet—to a site that sits right on the rocky edge of the lake. It feels private. Well, as private as a public campground can feel.
The full hookup sites are a different beast. They are grouped closer together. If you have a big 40-foot rig, you’ll fit, but you’ll be cozy with the folks next to you. It’s the price you pay for having electricity, water, and sewer in the middle of a forest.
The lake itself is the main character. Promised Land Lake is roughly 422 acres of tea-colored water. It’s stained by tannins from the hemlock trees, which gives it this deep, dark look that reflects the sky like a mirror on calm mornings. It’s cold. Even in July, that first jump off the swimming pier at the end of the point will take your breath away.
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The logistics of Pickerel Point Campground PA
Getting a spot here is competitive. That’s an understatement. If you try to book a lakeside site on a Friday in July, you’re going to be disappointed. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opens reservations 11 months out. People literally set alarms for the second those spots go live.
- Site 121 through 126: These are the walk-ins on the eastern edge. Maximum sun in the morning.
- The "Point" sites: Sites like 131 and 132 are right at the tip. You can see the water from almost every angle.
- Electric loops: Sites 101-118 are more standard. Good for families who need to charge iPads and run fans.
One thing people often overlook is the wind. Because Pickerel Point is a peninsula, it catches every gust. I’ve seen cheap pop-up gazebos get folded like origami during a late afternoon thunderstorm. Stake your tent down. Seriously. Use the heavy-duty stakes, not the little plastic ones that come in the box.
Wildlife and the "Bear Logic"
Let’s talk about the bears. Promised Land State Park is famous for them. Not the "cute" cartoon bears—real, hungry, 300-pound black bears that know exactly what a Coleman cooler looks like.
At Pickerel Point Campground PA, you are in their kitchen. The park rangers are strict, and for good reason. If you leave a bag of marshmallows on your picnic table, you’re asking for a midnight visitor and a hefty fine. Use the bear lockers. Lock your food in your car trunk. It’s not just about your safety; it’s about keeping the bears wild. Once a bear associates humans with a free lunch, it usually ends poorly for the bear.
You’ll also see bald eagles. They nest nearby and love to hunt the fish in the shallows around the point. If you sit quietly on the rocks at the end of the peninsula around dusk, you’ll probably see one diving. It’s way better than anything on Netflix.
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Things to do (besides sitting by the fire)
If you get bored just staring at the water, there’s plenty of dirt to tread on. The park has over 50 miles of trails.
The Little Falls Trail is the one everyone recommends. It’s an easy loop, mostly flat, follows a stream, and hits some small waterfalls. It’s pretty. But if you want a challenge, head over to the Bruce Lake Natural Area. No motors allowed there. It’s a hike-in-only lake, and the silence is heavy. It feels ancient.
Fishing is the other big draw. Pickerel Point isn’t just a catchy name. The lake is full of chain pickerel, plus largemouth bass, yellow perch, and sunfish. If you have a kayak, bring it. Launching right from your campsite is a luxury you don’t get at many other PA parks. There’s something special about sliding your boat into the water at 5:30 AM when the mist is still hanging over the lily pads.
The "Not-So-Great" stuff
I’m not going to tell you it’s perfect. It’s a state park.
The bathhouses are generally clean, but they get high traffic. By Sunday morning, things can get a little "earthy." The humidity in the Poconos is also no joke. In August, the air can feel like a wet blanket. And the bugs? Yeah, they’re here. Gnats in the morning, mosquitoes at night. Bring the DEET. Or the Picaridin. Whatever you use, bring a lot of it.
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Also, cell service is spotty. Some carriers get a bar or two near the park office, but once you get out on the point, you’re basically off the grid. For some, that’s the goal. For others, it’s a crisis. Plan accordingly. Download your maps before you leave Greentown or Tafton.
How to make it happen
If you’re serious about a trip to Pickerel Point Campground PA, don’t wing it.
- Check the DCNR website daily. Cancellations happen. If you’re flexible, you can often snag a midweek spot that someone else dropped.
- Bring a rug. The pads are mostly gravel or packed dirt. It gets everywhere. A small outdoor rug outside your tent or camper door will save your sanity.
- Supplies are nearby, but not "close." There’s a small park store for ice and firewood, but for real groceries, you’re driving 20 minutes out to Hawley or back toward I-84.
- Firewood rules are real. Don't bring wood from home. They’re trying to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive bugs. Buy it locally. It burns better anyway.
The best time to go isn't summer. It’s the last two weeks of September. The crowds thin out, the bugs die off, and the maples start turning that ridiculous shade of neon orange. You’ll need a warmer sleeping bag, but having the point almost to yourself is worth the chill.
Pack your gear. Check your tire pressure. Head north on 402 and look for the Promised Land sign. Just remember to turn left toward the lake when you see the Pickerel Point sign. If you hit the dead end, you've found the best spot in the park.
Actionable Next Steps
Start by visiting the Pennsylvania DCNR reservation portal to scout available dates. Look specifically at the "Pickerel Point" loop on the map rather than the "Lower Lake" or "Pine Hole" areas if you want the peninsula experience. If your preferred dates are full, use a third-party monitoring tool like CampScanner or simply check the site manually at 8:00 AM EST on Tuesdays, which is often when cancellations process through the system. Before you head out, verify your equipment dimensions; some of the turns onto the point are tight for trailers over 35 feet, so call the park office directly if you have concerns about your rig's turning radius on the peninsula road.