Adventurers looking for an enjoyable day’s outing in northeastern Pennsylvania should go to Prompton State Park.
This bucolic park, with a 290-acre lake, was created to eliminate flooding of nearby communities including Prompton, Hawley and Honesdale. The Prompton Dam, which produced the large lake, was completed in 1960 due to severe floods on the Lackawaxen River in 1936, 1942 and 1955. Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the earthen dam is 1230-feet long and 147-feet high. Climbing on the dam is not permitted. The lake, dam and some of the area near the dam continue to be maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
While the purpose of the dam is for flood control, the resulting lake and the surrounding park area provide multiple opportunities for recreation. Non-powered boats and motorboats, with up to 10hp motors, are permitted on the lake. Boats must display registration and launching permits. A boat launch is located midway along the length of the lake.
Whether from a boat, or along the shore, fishing is popular in this warm water fishery. Look for both large and smallmouth bass, crappie and yellow perch.
Other than lake activities, adventurers will find 26 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. There’s also an 18-hole disc golf course on varying terrain including close to the water’s edge at the dam end of the park. At the opposite end of the park, there’s a Flyers Field.
Hunting and trapping are also permitted in much of the park during Pennsylvania’s established hunting seasons. Dog training is limited to designated hunting areas from the day after Labor Day through March 31.
For winter adventures, when adequate snow cover is available, areas of the park are good for sledding and cross-country skiing.
A few picnic tables are located near the boat launch, and an accessible picnic pavilion is in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers section near the dam. Portable restrooms are available in both of these areas.
For more information, visit Prompton State Park's website.
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