Prompton State Park

History

In May 1942, heavy rains caused the Lackawaxen River and Dyberry Creek to rise rapidly. The record-breaking flooding in nearby Honesdale and Hawley claimed 29 lives and caused over $7 million damages. Following this flood, plans were made to control future flooding in the Lackawaxen River valley. Congress authorized funding in 1948 for the construction of two dams by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In nearby Dyberry Township, Jadwin Dam was completed in 1959. In the following year, Prompton Dam was completed, which included a reservoir. The park was opened for public use in 1962.

Recreation

Prompton State Park is open to visitors year-round. Activities available to the visitor include fishing, hiking, boating, picnicking, mountain biking, hunting, ice fishing, geocaching, sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The park closes at dusk, so the park and its lake are for day-use recreational activities only. There are no campgrounds on premise.

Disc Golf

The park also includes an 18-hole dual basket disc golf course. The course has multiple terrains, including moderate hills and lightly wooded areas. The disc golf course is located at the dam entrance at the south end of the park. This is a favorite spot for local celebrity Dave Gorman.

Boating

Small motorboats, up to 10 horsepower, are permitted on the 280-acre lake. Kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and other non-powered water-crafts are permitted on the lake. The boat launch is located on the west shore. It is accessible on route 170 2-miles (3.2 km) from the route 6 intersection.

Fishing and Hunting

Fishing, including ice-fishing, is permitted in the 290-acre Prompton Lake. Hunting is also permitted in most of the park along with trapping and dog training during hunting season. Both activities require proper licenses.

Trails

There are over 26 miles (41 km) of hiking trails surrounding the lake. All trails are marked with blazes. All hiking trails are also open to mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The hiking trails have varying terrains and elevation with varying levels of difficulty.

On the south end of the park, the parking lot is beside the dam on route 170 near the intersection of route 6. On the north end of the park, a parking lot is accessible off of Beech Grove Road.

• East Shore Trail is a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) trail with red blazes It extends the complete length of the lake from Beech Grove Road in the north to the top of the dam at the south. From Beech Grove Road, the trail is paved for the first mile. The paved portion of the trail is the original route 170 from before the dam was built. The remaining road was flooded under the lake.
• West Shore Trail is a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) trail with red blazes. This trail also runs the complete length of the lake. It runs from the west starting at the dam in the south to the RV airplane field in the north.
• Orchard Trail is a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) trail with white blazes. This trail runs the complete length of the lake along the west side of the lake, and it parallels the West Shore Trail.
• Sugar Shack Trail is a 2-mile (4.8 km) trail with white blazes. It begins on East Shore Trail and meets Eagle Pass Trail on the east side of the lake.

• Cliff Trail is a 1.3-mile (2 km) trail with red blazes. Starts at Sidewinder Trail and comes back to Pine Creek Trail.
• Blueberry Trail is a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail with blue blazes. A loop off Pine Creek Trail at the northeast end of the park.
• Eagle Pass Trail is a 1-mile (1.6 km) trail green blazes. Connects Cross Trail with East Shore and Sugar Shack trails.
• Sidewinder Trail is a 1-mile (1.6 km) trail with red blazes. From East Shore Trail to the beginning of Sidewinder Trail.
• Pine Creek Trail is a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) trail with orange blazes. In the northeast end of the park, this trail begins and ends at Cliff Trail.

Additional trails accessible from the South End:

• Bone Ridge Trail is a 2-mile (3.2 km) trail with yellow blazes Starts and ends on Hemlock Trail near the east side of the dam.
• Hemlock Trail is a 2-mile (3.2 km) trail with yellow blazes Starts at the east end of the dam and meets up with High Ledge Trail.
• High Ledge Trail is a 2-mile (3.2 km) trail white blazes Starts at East Shore Trail and meets Sugar Shack Trail.

References

References

1. (March 2016). "Wayne County Hazard Mitigation Plan".
2. Becker, Peter. "Fifty years of protection".
3. "Prompton State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
4. "Prompton State Park".
5. "Prompton Lake Guide".
6. "Prompton State Park".
7. "Prompton State Park".
8. "Mountain Biking at Prompton State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
9. "Hiking at Prompton State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
10. Forrey, William C.. (2017). "History of Pennsylvania’s State Parks 1984 to 2015". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.