HikerBruce Lake Trail from PA 390 near Promised Land
Bruce Lake is the longer lake-destination option in this Promised Land collection. Choose the lake as a clear turnaround and give the day enough room for a relaxed stop, rather than assuming the trail ends when the water comes into view.
- Route type
- Out and back
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Cumulative ascent
- Not verified
Estimated lake return: DCNR describes 2.5 miles from PA 390 to Bruce Lake; doubling that approach gives about 5 miles. Continuing beyond the lake is excluded. Cumulative ascent has not been verified for this outing. A source’s elevation change or summit height is not used as total climbing.
Sources reviewed 2026-10-13 · Independent HikerQuests planning guide
Start here
Use the Bruce Lake Trail access from PA 390 identified on the official map. Confirm the correct entrance before navigating to the broader park.
Terrain & what to see
DCNR describes an old forest-road approach to the lake. The trail continues beyond it, so keep the lake turnaround explicit in your plan.
The destination is a natural glacial lake. Look for a small set of photographs that show the approach, water and return without leaving the trail.
Before hiking
Carry the park and adjoining forest map. Save battery and daylight for the return; a long continuation on the same named trail can add far more than a casual detour.
Landscape & trail notes
The park sits within a larger forest landscape. Administrative boundaries do not necessarily match the moment a footpath changes character, so use the route map rather than a park name alone.
After the hike
Use Greentown or Canadensis as a drive-based planning stop. If the group wants a shorter next visit, save Conservation Island rather than cutting an unofficial shortcut today.
More ways to plan the day
- Compare loops and out-and-back hikes
- Browse towns and regional guides
- NY, NJ & PA Hiking Trails: Ridge, River and Lake Guides
- Eastern Pennsylvania Hiking: Milford, Waterfalls & the Poconos
- Promised Land Hiking near Greentown: Bruce Lake, Island & Falls
- Conservation Island Loop at Promised Land State Park
- Little Falls Trail at Promised Land State Park