A neighbor-curated hub of outdoor recreation in and around Duck Harbor Pond, Damascus Township, and the broader Equinunk, Pennsylvania area in Wayne County. This page collects fishing, hunting, paddling, hiking, golf, ATV, skiing, scenic, and family-friendly activities within reasonable driving distance of The Woods at Duck Harbor community, along with the seasons each activity is best suited for and an effort rating to help first-time visitors plan a day.
Duck Harbor Pond itself is a roughly 230 acre PFBC stocked pond with a PFBC public boat launch on its southwestern shore at 41.749145, -75.211382, off Duck Harbor Road; the surrounding 960 acres of land at The Woods at Duck Harbor are private community land. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks the pond (walleye and brown trout) and has published a biologist Habitat Management Plan report. A PFBC public boat launch is maintained on the southwestern shore at 41.749145, -75.211382, off Duck Harbor Road. Other nearby public-access waters include Belmont Lake (PFBC, about 35 minutes south), Prompton Lake (USACE, about 45 minutes south), and the upper Delaware River (NPS access along PA-191). Adjacent State Game Lands 159 borders the Equinunk area along the Upper Delaware and provides public hunting for whitetail deer, turkey, black bear, and small game, plus a public rifle and pistol range near gate 50. The Pocono Plateau setting puts dozens of additional state parks, state forests, ski areas, ATV parks, golf courses, and paddling waters within an easy drive.
Boating is open to anyone launching from the PFBC public ramp on the southwestern shore with the appropriate PA fishing or boating credentials; standard PFBC boating rules apply. Standard PFBC boating rules (registration, PFDs, operator conduct) apply on all Pennsylvania waters including Duck Harbor Pond. For public-access boating in Wayne County, drive about 35 minutes south to Belmont Lake (PFBC) or about 45 minutes south to Prompton Lake (USACE). Authority for Wayne County special regulations: 58 Pa. Code section 111.64.
State Game Lands 159, managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, is the closest public hunting land to Duck Harbor and supports whitetail deer, turkey, black bear, ruffed grouse, and small game in season. SGL 70 sits on the Wayne and Pike County border with good deer, turkey, grouse, and bear hunting. SGL 188 near Honesdale and Cherry Ridge is accessible from Route 191. The Delaware State Forest covers over 80,000 acres of public land in Pike and Monroe Counties about 20 miles south and is one of the best public hunting areas in the state. The PA Game Commission interactive mapping center is the best starting point for finding game lands, parking, and shooting ranges near Equinunk, PA. A current PA hunting license and species tags are required. Always check current PGC seasons, bag limits, and Sunday hunting rules before heading out.
The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and the Lackawaxen River both offer public paddling, tubing, and fishing access within easy driving distance. The National Park Service publishes a Plan Your River Trip guide with access points and paddling-time estimates. Commercial outfitters along the corridor handle rafting, tubing, and shuttle services for casual day trips and multi-day floats.
Lost Trails ATV Park in Dunmore is the closest dedicated ATV park, about an hour south, with 2,000 acres of trails plus guided tours and rentals. Mountain Ridge ATV Park in Central City covers 3,000 acres with 150 miles of trails and offers camping and cabins. Mines & Meadows ATV Resort features a unique underground mine riding experience with 84+ miles of trails and RV camping. State forest ATV trails (Maple Run Tract and Burnt Mills in the Delaware State Forest) are open seasonally under PA DCNR rules. The Maple Run Recreation Area in Pike County State Forest also has an 8-mile dirt bike loop.
Promised Land State Park in Pike County offers 50+ miles of horse trails and equestrian camping. Mountain Creek Riding Stable provides professional guided trail rides through Pocono Mountains forests for visitors who do not bring their own horses.
The Wayne County Historical Society in Honesdale operates a local history museum and genealogy research center. The Stourbridge Line Scenic Railroad runs seasonal historic train excursions through the Pocono Mountains and Lackawaxen River valley out of Honesdale, a popular family activity. Prompton State Park is a nearby PA DCNR state park with hiking, fishing, and easy outdoor recreation suitable for all ages.
Within roughly 30 minutes you can hunt State Game Lands 159 in Buckingham Township, paddle the Lackawaxen or Upper Delaware River, hike Prompton State Park, play 18 holes at Cricket Hill or Honesdale Golf Club, ride the Stourbridge Line scenic railroad from Honesdale, and visit the Wayne County Historical Society museum. Duck Harbor Pond is a roughly 230 acre PFBC stocked pond with a public boat launch on its southwestern shore at 41.749145, -75.211382, off Duck Harbor Road. Other nearby public-access lakes include Belmont Lake (PFBC, about 35 minutes south).
Yes. Duck Harbor Pond is a roughly 230 acre PFBC stocked pond with a public boat launch on its southwestern shore at 41.749145, -75.211382, off Duck Harbor Road. Anyone age 16 or older needs a current Pennsylvania fishing license, plus a Trout/Salmon Permit to keep trout. Other nearby public-access waters include Belmont Lake (PFBC, about 35 minutes south), Prompton Lake (USACE, about 45 minutes south), and the upper Delaware River (NPS access along PA-191). Licenses are sold online at the PA Fish and Boat Commission website (HuntFishPA), at many local sporting-goods stores, and at some township municipal offices.
Motors are allowed on Duck Harbor Pond; Wayne County special regulations (58 Pa. Code 111.64) list no horsepower restriction for the pond, and standard PFBC boating rules (registration, PFDs, operator conduct) apply. For public motorboat access in Wayne County, head to Belmont Lake (PFBC, about 35 minutes south) and Prompton Lake (USACE, about 45 minutes south). Standard PFBC rules (registration, life jackets sized for every person on board, operator conduct) apply on all Pennsylvania waters.
A PFBC public boat launch is on the southwestern shore of Duck Harbor Pond at 41.749145, -75.211382, off Duck Harbor Road in Damascus Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The surrounding 960 acres of land at The Woods at Duck Harbor are private community land; please use the public launch rather than crossing community roads. Other nearby public boat launches include Belmont Lake (PFBC, Pleasant Mount, PA, about 35 minutes south) and Prompton Lake (USACE, about 45 minutes south), with NPS access points on the upper Delaware River along PA-191. (See also: other nearby public motorboat waters include belmont lake (pfbc, about 35 minutes south) and prompton lake (usace, about 45 minutes south).)
Most years the pond is safe for ice fishing from mid-January through late February, but ice conditions vary year to year and within a single season. Always check for at least 4 inches of clear, hard ice before walking out and 5 to 7 inches before group activity. Inlets, outlets, and spring holes can stay thin even when the rest of the lake is solid. The PFBC publishes general ice safety guidance.
Lost Trails ATV Park in Dunmore is the closest dedicated ATV park, about an hour south. It covers 2,000 acres and offers guided tours and rentals. For larger riding areas, Mountain Ridge ATV Park (Central City) and Mines & Meadows ATV Resort offer more trails and overnight camping. State forest ATV trails (Maple Run, Burnt Mills) are open seasonally under PA DCNR rules.
State Game Lands 159 is the closest public hunting land. It borders the Equinunk area along the Upper Delaware and supports whitetail deer, turkey, bear, and small game. SGL 70 and SGL 188 are also within easy driving distance. A current Pennsylvania hunting license is required, plus species-specific tags and tags for antlerless deer. The PA Game Commission mapping center is the best starting point.
Ski Big Bear at Masthope is the closest, about 20 minutes by car. It has trails for all skill levels and is family friendly. Within about 1 to 1.5 hours you can also reach Elk Mountain, Blue Mountain Resort, Camelback Mountain Resort, and Shawnee Mountain Ski Area.
Yes. The Pennsylvania Game Commission operates an outdoor rifle and pistol range on State Game Lands 159 near gate 50, at 50 Shieldsboro Road, Honesdale, PA 18431. A current PA hunting or furtaker license, or a separate PGC range permit, is required to use it.
Most state forests, state game lands, and trails listed allow dogs on leash. Some state parks have specific dog-friendly areas only, and some private ski resorts do not allow dogs on the mountain in winter. Always check the rules for your specific destination, especially during hunting seasons, when leash and orange-vest requirements may apply to dogs in the field.