How to Spend a Day at Gouldsboro State Park
The Pocono Mountains provide an ideal backdrop for unwinding with Mother Nature. Gouldsboro State Park is no exception to that rule. The park surrounds Gouldsboro Lake, and outdoor recreation options are plentiful. Paddle through the 250-acre lake weaving in and out of quaint tributaries. Pack a picnic, sit by the shoreline, and listen to the sounds of the finches singing. Searching for more ideas on how to slow down in the Poconos? Download our exclusive Vacation Guide for all of the best restaurants, parks, and things to do.
Plan Your Visit to Gouldsboro State Park
We’ve put together an itinerary for your trip to Gouldsboro State Park so you don’t have to! Explore the park’s many hiking trails, rent a boat, or waste away the day fishing from the shore. Gouldsboro has something for everyone.
What to bring:
- Bathing suit
- Towels
- Tennis shoes
- Fishing pole and PA fishing license
- Sunscreen
- Picnic lunch
- Lawn chairs
Fishing at Gouldsboro Lake
The impeccably clean Gouldsboro Lake is home to some of the most popular (and largest) freshwater fish. Bass, pickerel, yellow perch, catfish, and sunfish are just a few of the gilled species you’ll pull out off of the lake’s shores. There is one fishing pier on the lake, but locals prefer to find their fishing holes off of the grassy shoreline.
Like all of Pennsylvania’s waterways, Gouldsboro requires a current fishing license to cast your line. Pick yours up from Hometown Hardware before heading to the park.
How Do You Boat?
Gouldsboro is a hidden gem for boat lovers of all sorts. Tow in your personal, electric-powered toy and launch from the ramp, or rent one of the park’s kayaks, paddle boats, or electric boats. The lake provides ample open space for racing through the current, along with secluded, wooded areas for casually exploring the waters. When you’re ready for a break, tie off to one of the park’s 50 mooring spaces.
Hiking and Biking through Gouldsboro State Park
Gouldsboro boasts 10 miles of unique hiking trails and eight miles of mountain biking trails. “Old Park Entrance”, or Old Route 611, is the easiest and most popular trail. The trailhead begins at what used to be Route 611 and continues down Old Interstate 507. Both roads used to be heavily trafficked until the completion of Interstate 380. The deserted roads now provide a beautifully overgrown road for visitors of Gouldsboro State Park and Tobyhanna State Park to travel by foot.
Want a challenge? Set ablaze the 3.2-mile Frank Gantz Trail. This trail directly connects Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro. Should you want to give this one a try, you may want to bring along your hiking boots and be prepared to rock hop while you venture between the lakes.
Pack Your Picnic
Don’t forget the cooler on your trip to Gouldsboro. Once you’re finished exploring the valley, you’ll be itching to kick back and enjoy a hearty meal. Find a cozy spot in the grass, set up your lawn chairs, and unpack your picnic. The lake administers stunning sunset views, so you’ll want to stay a while.
Settle in at French Manor Inn and Spa
Stay in the heart of Pennsylvania’s pristine mountain range at the French Manor Inn and Spa. Rest your feet after a day of trekking through Gouldsboro State Park with a Huckleberry Mountain Signature Spa Pedicure from Le Spa Forêt. Stay just steps from the spa’s doors in the Soleil Suite, and relish in luxurious triple-sheeting and a complimentary chef-inspired breakfast. Start planning your tranquil Poconos vacation now!