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Chambersburg, IL
Change City

Gouldsboro State Park

SR 507 and State Park Rd
Gouldsboro, PA 18424

570-894-8336

Gouldsboro State Park, in Monroe and Wayne counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, contains 2,800 acres of land. The 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake is popular for fishing and boating.Hiking at Gouldsboro State Park10 miles of trailsThe rugged terrain of Gouldsboro State Park makes for challenging but rewarding hiking. All trails are blazed. Double blazes indicate a change of direction or a junction of two trails. Follow these rules for a safe hike:An adult should accompany childrenBe sure to wear hiking bootsMotor vehicles are prohibited on the trailsProspect Rock Trail5.8 miles, more difficult hikingThis large, loop trail begins in the day use area. Some sections follow the old entrance road and Old Route 611, which are suitable for bicycling and cross-country skiing. But, there are several very rocky sections.Old Route 6111.25 miles, easiest hikingThis flat, wide trail runs along the western side of Gouldsboro State Park, paralleling I-380. Part of the trail is Prospect Rock Trail. This trail is excellent for hiking, bicycling and cross-country skiing.Frank Gantz Trail3.2 miles, most difficult hikingFrank Gantz Trail connects to Tobyhanna at Lakeside Trail and to Gouldsboro in the south day use parking lot. Children should not hike this trail without adult supervision. Special care is needed to cross PA 4013 (Tobyhanna Road). This is a very demanding trail with many areas where ‘rock hopping’ is necessary. Good hiking boots are essential for a pleasant and safe hike. Allow at least three hours for a round trip.Picnicking at Gouldsboro State ParkGouldsboro State Park provides five wooded picnic areas with picnic tables and charcoal grills. Picnicking is permitted year round.This activity or structure is ADA accessible. The ADA accessible picnic pavilion near Lot #3 has electricity.Picnic pavilions can be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. If unreserved the picnic pavilion is free on a first-come, first-served basis.Swimming at Gouldsboro State ParkThe sand beach with rustic restrooms at Gouldsboro State Park is open from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset.Swim at your own risk. Please follow posted rules.Smoke-Free BeachSmoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:CigarettesPipesCigarsE-cigarettesOther handheld, lighted smoking devicesWildlife Watching at Gouldsboro State ParkGouldsboro State Park is in the Pocono Plateau, a rugged highland with:Rocky soilNutrient-poor bogsDark evergreen forestsDiversity of animals and plantsAbout 20,000 years ago, a giant sheet of ice at least one mile thick covered the area. Evidence of the glacier is the very rocky soil that is called glacial till and the abundance of bogs.Much of the park is characterized by sphagnum moss bogs, evergreen trees, and thin, moist, rocky soil. Common to this habitat are:Blackburnian warblerRed-breasted nuthatchNorthern waterthrushDuring the spring, spotted and Jefferson salamanders and wood frogs flock to the bogs to breed.Interesting plants like the carnivorous pitcher plant, cotton grass, and many sedges inhabit the bogs. The carnivorous plant yellow bladderwort lives in some of the bogs and in Tobyhanna Lake. In the underwater portion of the plant, small sacks trap tiny aquatic animals.Due to the logging of the forests, large portions have regrown with a mix of deciduous trees like American beech, many species of oak, and red maple trees. Common birds in this forest are:American redstartRed-eyed vireoLouisiana waterthrushDuring early May, before any trees have leaves, serviceberry trees flower.During mid-June, the plentiful mountain laurel blooms, followed in late-June to early-July by rhododendron.During mid-July, highbush blueberries bear fruit, providing a feast for bears and birds.Boating at Gouldsboro State ParkElectric motors onlyThe 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake has 50 overnight mooring spaces. A state park mooring permit is required for overnight mooring and is available at the Tobyhanna State Park office.Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.Fishing at Gouldsboro State ParkThe 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake is a warmwater fishery. The common fish are:BassPickerelYellow perchCatfishSunfishWalleyeCrappieThis activity or structure is ADA accessible. An ADA accessible fishing pier is near Parking Lot 4.Ice FishingIce fishing is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. Ice thickness is not monitoredHunting at Gouldsboro State ParkDuring established seasons, most of Gouldsboro State Park is open to:HuntingTrappingTraining of dogsCommon game species are:White-tailed deerBlack bearSquirrelTurkeyFurbearers are:BeaverMuskratMinkFoxCoyoteRaccoonHunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.Mountain Biking at Gouldsboro State Park8 miles of trailsOld Route 611 and Prospect Rock trails begin in the day use area.Cross-Country Skiing at Gouldsboro State ParkHiking trails can be cross-country skied with adequate snow. Old Route 611 Trail is recommended.Ice Skating at Gouldsboro State ParkIce skating is available as natural conditions permit. Gouldsboro State Park has a one-acre area near Parking Lot #4.Ice thickness is not monitored.

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