(Last Updated On: October 24, 2022)

Gouldsboro Lake at Gouldsboro State Park

If you are looking for a nature escape which will allow you to leave behind the pressures of city life, then consider Gouldsboro State Park.

Located between Stroudsburg and Scranton, this stunning 2,880-acre Pennsylvania state park might as well be a world away from both of them.

Blessed with a diverse landscape that houses several different species of flora and fauna, the park offers a tranquil and peaceful environment to relax and enjoy the charms of nature.

Activities like fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, camping and hunting are available in abundance. While winter conditions also allow for cross-country skiing, ice skating and ice fishing.

Activities

During their time at the park, visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor recreational activities.

Here are some of the things you can do whilst you are there.

Boating at Gouldsboro State Park

If you are into boating you’ll love the opportunities Gouldsboro State Park gives you to take to the water.

You will only be able to do this in electric motors, as gas powered boats are not permitted on the lake. However there are 50 overnight mooring spaces that you can make use of.

Other watercraft that are regularly used include canoes, kayaks, rowboats and SUP. If you didn’t bring these with you to the park you can hire them out, as well as motorboats between the Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day – weather permitting.

Swimming at Gouldsboro State Park

During the summer, the park can get quite hot, so you might want to bring your swimming costume with you.

The park has a sandy beach that is offers a terrific spot for cooling off. Please be aware though, that as it is not lifeguarded you will have to swim there at your own risk.

Fishing at Gouldsboro State Park

Anglers from all over Pennsylvania come to the park for the opportunity to cast a line in its sparking 250-acre waters.

A warm-water fishery, some of the common species you can catch include bass, catfish, crappie, pickerel, sunfish, walleye and yellow perch.

You can choose to fish by the shoreline, in a boat or on the ADA accessible fishing pier that sits near Parking Lot 4.

Hiking at Gouldsboro State Park

Hikers will love the opportunity to stretch their legs and explore the 7.25 miles of trails that meander through the park.

There are several trails you can tackle, which vary in terms of length and degrees of difficulty. However, all of them are blazed with different color coding to give you an idea of what to expect.

Here are some of the most popular trails at Gouldsboro State Park:

  • trail 1 – Old Entrance Trail. Length: 1.8 mile Degree of Difficulty: easy
  • trail 3 – Prospect Rock Trail. Length: 2.9 miles Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • trail 3 – Frank Gantz Trail. Length: 1.3 miles Degree of Difficulty: challenging

Biking at Gouldsboro State Park

As well as the hiking trails there are around 5 miles of pathways set aside for mountain biking.

The Old Route 611 trail, which starts at the day use area, is a track to ride on, as it showcases some of the park’s most appealing scenery.

Picnicking at Gouldsboro State Park

Picnicking is allowed all year round at the park and there are five wooded picnic areas with tables and charcoal grills for guests to enjoy.

In addition to this, there is an ADA accessible picnic pavilion available for larger groups to use near Lot #3. This has electricity and can be reserved up to 11 months in advance.

Nature & Wildlife

As it is located within the stunning Pocono Plateau, the park incorporates a rugged highland that features rocky soil, sphagnum moss bogs, dark evergreen forests and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

This terrain is home to birdlife like the Blackburnian warbler, Red-breasted nuthatch and Northern waterthrush.

Black bears, white-tailed deer and foxes are among the many animals you might see.

Hunting at Gouldsboro State Park

During the established seasons, a large majority of the park is open for hunting, trapping and the training of dogs.

Some of the common game species you can snare include black bear, squirrel, turkey and white-tailed deer, as well as furbearers like beaver, coyote, fox, mink, muskrat and raccoon.

Like with most state parks, the hunting of woodchucks is strictly prohibited.

Winter Activities at Gouldsboro State Park

During the winter, when the snow comes, the hiking trails within the park provide excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing.

The Old Route 611 Trail is particularly recommended for its stunning scenery.

When the lake freezes over, ice skating and fishing are popular activities as well. However, please be aware that the ice thickness is not monitored though, so be sure to test it out before you make your way on to it.

Pets at Gouldsboro State Park

The park prides itself on being pet friendly, so feel free to bring your dog with you if you want.

That said, some restrictions on them do apply. You might therefore want to contact the park’s main office for further clarification of what these are.

Camping at Gouldsboro State Park

Unfortunately there is no camping accommodation directly within the park. However, within 30 miles of it there are a number of other state parks in which you can stay at.

This includes the likes of Big Pocono State Park in Monroe County, Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County, Lackawanna State Park in Lackawanna County and Promised Land State Park in Pike County.

Between them these campgrounds offer a wide range of accommodation options for RVs, trailers and tents. This includes sites that come with full hookups for electricity, water and sewer, as well as more primitive sites. Other options include cabins, lodges, yurts and organized group tent camping.

Amenities at these campgrounds include comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers, dump stations and playgrounds for kids. Some have camp stores or concession stands as well.

Park Location

Gouldsboro State Park
Pennsylvania 507 at, State Pk Rd
Gouldsboro, PA 18424
Phone: 570.894.8336

Website

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Gouldsboro State Park: