Weekend Getaway to the Promised Land
Promised Land State Park is situated in the heart of the Pocono Mountains at 1800 feet above sea level. Endless hiking trails, lakes, streams, and scenic areas make up this Pennsylvania state park and surrounding Delaware State Forest. Nearby Lake Wallenpaupack and the town of Hawley provide additional recreational and dining opportunities to Promised Land. Located just 2.5-hours from both Philadelphia and NYC, a visit to Promised Land State Park is the ideal weekend getaway for any outdoor lover.
Read on to learn about our Weekend Getaway to Promised Land State Park.
The Rex
The Rex is a recently renovated micro-hotel located on the border of Promised Land State Park in the Pocono Mountains. The ten modern rooms and cabins are stunning and skip no detail. Each room is uniquely designed to provide a comfortable, contemporary, and dog-friendly retreat that brings guests close to nature. Furnished with high-end brands, including Brooklinen sheets, Birch mattresses, Joybird furniture, and Smeg coffee makers, it’s clear that The Rex is no ordinary cabin in the woods!
The outdoor areas at The Rex earn bragging rights, as well. Each cabin is equipped with a set of Adirondack chairs, a SoloStove, and cut-to-size firewood for guests to relax and enjoy. But, most importantly is The Rex’s proximity to beautiful Promised Land State Park. Any destination within Promised Land is less than a 10-minute drive from The Rex and there’s even direct access to the state park from a trailhead at the edge of the property.
In a collaboration with The Rex, I was invited to stay for the weekend in “The Maple'', one of their dog-friendly queen bed suites. We enjoyed exploring Promised Land State Park and had a wonderful stay at The Rex. It was an added bonus that our one-year-old miniature bernedoodle was able to tag along on our adventure. The modern aesthetic and easy access to the outdoors at The Rex gave me the vibe of a sophisticated adult summer-camp (in the best way possible). Located just two and a half hours from Philadelphia, a stay at The Rex is a must for any outdoor lover looking for a rejuvenating getaway.
Promised Land State Park
Promised Land State Park protects 3000 acres of forest and lakes in the heart of the Pocono Mountain Region. This Pennsylvania state park and surrounding Delaware State Forest has 50 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty and scenery. In the summer months, swimming, boating, and fishing in the two lakes are also popular activities! These are some of my favorite hiking trails in Promised Land State Park:
Little Falls Trail
1.0-miles roundtrip + 100 feet gain
Located on the western side of Promised Land State Park, just a quick 8-minute drive from The Rex. Little Falls is a beautiful 10-foot waterfall which can be viewed on a short 1.0-mile loop trail. This trail is mostly level but is rocky and rooty in some sections. The best view of Little Falls is from the wood bridge crossing the creek approximately 0.5-miles from the trailhead. A gravel parking lot is available at trailhead, which is located off Lower Lake Road (approximate GPS coordinates 41.314532, -75.234825).
Conservation Island Loop
1.1-miles roundtrip + negligible gain
Conservation Island is a small island surrounded by Promised Land Lake, only a 7-minute drive from The Rex. The short and flat 1.1-mile loop is well marked and great for all ages and abilities. From the parking lot, cross the adjacent stone bridge to access the trail and island. On the island, there are several overlooks along the trail that have beautiful views of Promised Land Lake. A gravel parking lot is available at the trailhead, which is located off Park Ave (approximate GPS coordinates 41.306514, -75.204794).
Egypt Meadow Lake Loop
2.1-miles roundtrip + 100 feet gain
Egypt Meadow Lake is located in the Bruce Lake Natural Area of the Delaware State Forest, just north of Promised Land State Park. The trailhead is a short 5-minute drive from The Rex. The Egypt Meadow Lake Loop is a peaceful 2.1-mile loop trail that follows the edge of the lake. The trail is a bit rocky in some areas but is good for all skill levels. A small gravel parking lot is available at the trailhead, which is located off PA-390 right before the I-84 bridge (approximate GPS coordinates 41.358272, -75.204175).
Boundary Trail
6.3-miles one way + 550 feet gain
A trailhead for the Boundary Trail is available right at The Rex! The entire trail is about 6.3-miles point-to-point (totaling almost 13-miles roundtrip) and is mostly flat but rocky in some sections. Starting at The Rex, the trail follows the eastern boundary of the park and ends at the intersection of Pickerel Point Rd and Park Ave. Hikers staying at The Rex can walk as far as desired and then retrace their steps back to The Rex. The Boundary Trail trailhead at The Rex is located directly behind the cabins at the park sign (approximate GPS coordinates 41.328182, -75.204487).
Other Things To Do Nearby
Lake Wallenpaupack: At over 5,700-acres of surface area, Lake Wallenpaupack is the second largest lake in Pennsylvania. In the summer, fishing, boating, paddleboarding, and swimming are popular activities. Located 15-minutes from The Rex.
Wake Zone: Perfect for rainy days. The Wake Zone has virtual indoor golf and sport simulators. Also on site is the Wallenpaupack Brewing Co Taproom. Located 12-minutes from The Rex.
Skytop Adventure Center: Offers year-round activities for the whole family. The Skytop Adventure Center has treetop adventure courses, paintball, archery, snow tubing, skiing, and more. Located 15-minutes from The Rex.
Food & Drinks
Despite its quiet location, there are numerous restaurants and breweries within a 20-minute drive of The Rex.
Promised Land Inn: Just a mile down the road from The Rex is Promised Land Inn Pub and Eatery. This casual eatery serves American comfort food and homestyle meals. Located 2-minutes from The Rex.
Wallenpaupack Brewing Company: An award-winning brewpub in Hawley, PA. Wallenpaupack Brewing Company has a large variety of award-winning craft beers and a menu of locally-sourced food. Located 18-minutes from The Rex.
Glass Wine Bar Kitchen: One of the top restaurants in the Pocono Region. Located in The Ledges Hotel, glass - wine. bar. kitchen serves sharable small plates in a high-end setting. Reservations recommended. Located 19-minutes from The Rex.
Fairview Cafe: Casual fine dining in Tafton, PA. Fairview Cafe is a BYOB with a menu of locally-sourced, organic ingredients. Located 9-minutes from The Rex.
Cocoon Coffee House: Coffee shop, bakery, and eatery. Cocoon Coffee House & Bakery serves up high-quality coffee as well as quiches, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Located 18-minutes from The Rex.
We had a wonderful time exploring Promised Land State Park and highly recommend a stay at The Rex for a relaxing getaway. I hope this guide on our weekend in the Promised Land inspires you to visit!
