More than 120 state parks dot Pennsylvania's gorgeous landscape, which is traversed by the Appalachian Mountains and home to gorgeous recreation areas like the picturesque Laurel Highlands. Visitors can camp overnight at beautiful park areas like Ohiopyle State Park, known for its waterfalls and amazing opportunities for whitewater rafting. These campgrounds offer overnight stay experiences ranging from primitive backcountry and lakeshore campsites to modern rental cabins and cottages, which offer full kitchens and state-of-the-art luxuries. Some campsites also offer unique glamping experiences, including Mongolian-style yurts and fully-equipped luxury RVs.
Bald Eagle State Park
Bald Eagle State Park is one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful state parks, located in the state's Bald Eagle Valley in Centre County near the city of Howard. The lovely park stretches for 5,900 acres around the banks of Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, which is located along the route of Bald Eagle Creek. It is named in honor of Lenape chief Woapalanne, whose name translates to "bald eagle," and is located along lands that were once used as a raid path by the region's Iroquois indigenous groups. Visitors can enjoy opportunities for year-round boating on the reservoir, which offers a 369-slip full-service rental marina. Fishing, swimming, and picnicking are also popular along the reservoir's shoreline. The modern Russel P. Letterman Campground offers 97 tent and RV hookup campsites, along with rental cottages and yurts.
149 Main Park Rd, Howard, PA 16841, Phone: 814-625-2775
Black Moshannon State Park
Black Moshannon State Park is a lovely 3,481-acre Pennsylvania state park in Rush Township, located along the banks of beautiful Black Moshannon Lake. The park, which is located near the state's gorgeous Allegheny Front, is surrounded by the gorgeous Moshannon State Forest and is home to the state's largest reconstituted bog and wetland complex. Diverse native wildlife is showcased throughout the park, including rare carnivorous plants and cold-weather species not typically found as far south as the United States. Following forest fires in the early 20th century, the park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, who constructed a number of its National Register of Historic Places-listed buildings. Today, visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for overnight camping at the park's 72 campsites or stay in their choice of 13 rustic CCC-constructed cabins, which feature wood-burning stoves and full kitchens. Swimming, boating, cold-water fishing, and hunting are popular outdoor recreational activities at the park throughout the year.
4216 Beaver Rd, Philipsburg, PA 16866, Phone: 814-342-5960
Caledonia State Park
Caledonia State Park is a charming 1,125-acre Pennsylvania state park named in honor of the historic Caledonia Furnace, which was operated by noted abolitionist and state representative Thaddeus Stevens during the 19th century. The furnace was destroyed in 1863 during the American Civil War by Confederate forces, partly as a statement against his anti-slavery views. Today, the park built on the site of the furnace is home to over 10 miles of hiking trails, along with a summer stock amphitheater, a swimming pool, and a nine-hole golf course. Trout fishing is popular throughout the year at the park, which is also traversed by the gorgeous Appalachian Trail. Visitors can enjoy opportunities for camping at the park's 184 tent and trailer campsites, which are open between mid-April and December each year. All campsites offer access to showers, restrooms, and dump stations, including a group campsite that can accommodate up to 100 people.
101 Pine Grove Rd, Fayetteville, PA 17222, Phone: 717-352-2161
Clayton Park Recreational Area
Clayton Park Recreational Area has offered seasonal campsites and boat launches for over 80 years, anchored on Wayne County's gorgeous Lake Henry. The sprawling 300-acre lake and its surrounding grounds were originally known as Swoyer's Landing, operated as a picnic grove and boat livery in the early 20th century. Today, the privately-owned recreational area carries on the legacy of the Swoyer family, offering opportunities for year-round camping, fishing, and boating. Over 100 seasonal primitive and overnight RV campsites are available for visitor use, offering full hookup services. Park model RV rentals also showcase full kitchens, baths, and bedrooms, available for those looking for a more posh glamping experience. Each year, the recreational area hosts an annual live music concert series, showcasing local musicians each Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
26 Eagle Eye Dr, Lake Ariel, PA 18436, Phone: 570-698-6080
Clear Creek State Park
Clear Creek State Park is a delightful 1,211-acre Pennsylvania state park in Jefferson County, opened to the public in 1922 and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The lovely state park, which is located just 12 miles from the city of Brookville, sits at the confluence of the Clarion River and Clear Creek, known as a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and hunting throughout the year. Visitors can explore the park's 25-mile network of hiking trails, including a trail that leads to the unique Bear Town Rocks boulder formation. A canoe launch is offered on the banks of the Clarion River, which is home to populations of trout, bass, and panfish. 22 lovely rustic cabins constructed by the CC are available for weekly rental between April and December, while two Mongolian-style yurts are available for nightly rental.
38 Clear Creek, Park Rd, Sigel, PA 15860, Phone: 814-752-2368
Colonial Woods Family Camping Resort
Colonial Woods Family Camping Resort is a gorgeous family-friendly camping resort in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, offering campsites of all varieties along with a plethora of activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. The lovely Bucks County resort is located within one of Pennsylvania's most scenic regions, showcasing stunning forested areas and gorgeous natural ambiance. Visitors can choose from a variety of primitive or hookup tent and RV campsites, which offer use of restrooms, laundry rooms, a camp store, and complimentary wireless internet hookup. A heated pool is located onsite for visitor use, along with a recreation hall and pavilion, a game room, a spray pool, and a miniature golf course. Camp activities include fishing, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and an outdoor movie series.
545 Lonely Cottage Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972, Phone: 610-847-5808
The Alosa Campsites
The Alosa Campsites are beautiful boat-in-only campsites located along the western banks of the Delaware River, just outside the city of Buskhill. The campsites showcase some of the most beautiful views of the surrounding Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the surrounding Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. Six reservation-only campsites are available for boaters on multi-day river trips, hosting a maximum capacity of six people per site. Campsites are located underneath a grove of beautiful hardwood trees, which are home to native wildlife like white-tailed deer, American black bears, and bald eagles. Each reservation-only site offers access to restroom facilities and a fire ring. Additional campsites are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
09736410377084, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302, Phone: 570-426-2452
French Creek State Park
French Creek State Park is a spacious 7,526-acre Pennsylvania state park in Berks and Chester Counties, straddling the banks of beautiful French Creek. The park is home to two gorgeous lakes, including 68-acre warm-water Hopewell Lake and 22-acre cold-water Scotts Run Lake. The latter lake is best known as the site of the state's current record-breaking smallmouth bass catch. Extensive forest lands dot the park's terrain, which is home to over 40 miles of hiking and equestrian trails and some of the state's best technical mountain biking trails. Historic sites located within the park include the 1830s-era Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which preserves a 19th-century cold blast furnace. Campsites areas include the National Register of Historic Places-listed Sixpenny Day Use Area and Group Camp, located near the city of Birdsboro. 201 wooded and modern campsites are offered, along with 10 modern rental cabins.
843 Park Rd, Elverson, PA 19520, Phone: 610-582-9680
Gifford Pinchot State Park
Gifford Pinchot State Park stretches for 2,338 acres throughout northern York County, anchored around beautiful 340-acre Pinchot Lake, one of the state's best spots for bass fishing. Much of the park's grounds remain undeveloped today, traversed by several lovely nature trails, including the charming Mason-Dixon Trail, which offers opportunities for wildlife watching. 289 visitor-use campsites are showcased throughout the park's southern end, one of the largest public state park campgrounds in Pennsylvania. Campsites are open to the public mid-April through October, offering full-service electric hookups with potable water. All sites can accommodate any type of camping equipment, ranging from tents to large motor homes. A children's playground is offered for visitor use, along with a volleyball court and horsehoe pits.
800 E Camping Area Rd, Wellsville, PA 17365, Phone: 717-292-4112
Ironwood Point Recreation Area
Ironwood Point Recreation Area is a delightful recreational area on the shores of stunning Lake Wallenpaupack, offering a plethora of watersports opportunities for visitors throughout the year. Rental shops throughout the park's region offer opportunities to rent boats, kayaks, canoes, and jet skis for use on the lake's shores, which are also a popular destination for fishing for trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass throughout the year. Hiking trails traverse the park's lovely terrain, which is also home to children's playgrounds and day-use picnic sites. Overnight campsites offer access to showers, restrooms, laundry rooms, a camp store, and complimentary wireless internet.
155 Burns Hill Rd, Greentown, PA 18426, Phone: 570-857-0880
Laurel Hill State Park
Laurel Hill State Park is a delightful 3,935-acre Pennsylvania state park in Somerset County, located on the shores of the 63-acre manmade reservoir of the same name, which was dammed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park is home to the only stretch of protected virgin trees left untouched by Somerset County loggers, which can be explored via the lovely Hemlock Trail. 2,100 acres of the park are open to hunters throughout the year, offering opportunities to hunt game species like pheasant, turkey, Canada geese, and white-tailed deer. Laurel Hill Creek and Jones Mill Run offer opportunities for trout, catfish, perch, and bluegill fishing, while a visitor-access beach provides chances for swimming between May and September. 262 primitive and hookup campsites are offered for rental throughout the year, along with eight rustic cottages and the charming five-bedroom rental Laurel Hill Lodge.
1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd, Somerset, PA 15501, Phone: 814-445-7725
Ledgedale Recreation Area
Ledgedale Recreation Area is home to some of the most beautiful camping opportunities on Lake Wallenpaupack, nestled into Pennsylvania's beautiful forested terrain near the city of Greentown. The lovely recreation area offers 70 seasonal and day-use campsites along the lake's southernmost edge, which also offers a marina with seasonal and daily boat slip access. Boating, fishing, kayaking and watersports are popular activities throughout the year on the lake, which offers a public-access boat ramp open daily throughout daylight hours. All visitors staying overnight at the campground can make use of the area's camp store, which sells boating and fishing supplies, food, beverages, gas, and ice.
263 Ledgedale Rd, Greentown, PA 18426, Phone: 570-689-2181
Loleta Recreation Area and Campground
Loleta Recreation Area and Campground are located along the eastern branch of the Allegheny National Forest's Millstone Creek, a popular seasonal getaway site for families in the Pennsylvania region. The charming recreation area is located within a meadow on the creek's forested hillside, which is home to populations of native tree species like red and sugar maples, black cherry trees, and white pines. Visitors can enjoy opportunities to catch cold water fish species like brook trout at the creek throughout the year, which is stocked regularly by the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission. A three-mile hiking trail extends through rocky outcrops in the Millstone Valley, leading to spacious campsites that are surrounded by beautiful mature trees. Visitors can make use of primitive campsites that offer fire rings, vault toilets, drinking water, showers, and day-use picnic sites.
Sigel, PA 15860, Phone: 814-927-6628
Mountain Vista Campground
Mountain Vista Campground is located within northeastern Pennsylvania's beautiful Pocono Mountains, which are known as one of the top summer getaway destinations in the New England region. The family-friendly campground offers opportunities for a plethora of outdoor activities throughout the warmer months, including chances for fishing and swimming throughout the summer. Campers can enjoy access to a number of sporting courts on the campground's facility, including full-size tennis, basketball, and sand volleyball courts and a six-hole disc golf course. Complimentary wireless internet is offered for all campers, along with use of picnic pavilions, bathhouses and showers, laundry rooms, and a full-service campground store. A spacious dog run provides exercise opportunities for four-legged friends, while a mining sluice and a children's playground offer play experiences for young campers.
415 Taylor Dr, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, Phone: 570-223-0111
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park is one of Pennsylvania's largest state parks, stretching for more than 19,000 acres throughout Fayette County near the city of Ohiopyle. The park is anchored around the stunning Youghiogheny River Gorge, which stretches for 14 miles and is home to some of the Eastern United States' best opportunities for whitewater rafting and boating. Stunning waterfalls dot the park's landscape, including the majestic 30-foot Cucumber Falls and the beautiful 20-foot Ohiopyle Falls. Kayaking, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing are popular throughout the year for visitors of all ages. Hunting is permitted on most of the park's lands, while fishing for trout is common along the banks of the Youghiogheny River. A plethora of overnight accommodations are offered throughout the park, including primitive and hookup campsites and rental cottages.
124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, Phone: 724-329-8591
Ole Bull State Park
Ole Bull State Park is located within Pennsylvania's beautiful Black Forest region, home to stunning mountainous terrain and ample native wildlife species. The 132-acre park stretches across Potter County's lovely Kettle Creek Valley, offering opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation for visitors of all ages. It is named in honor of famed Norwegian violinist Ole Bornemann Bull, who attempted to found a Norwegian pioneer settlement in the region in the 1850s. Today, visitors can enjoy opportunities for hunting, trout fishing, and seasonal swimming at the park, which also serves as a trailhead for the lovely 85-mile Susquehannock Trail System. Unique features include a fishing dock for children and visitors with disabilities on Kettle Creek. Year-round camping is permitted at two campsite areas, which offer electric hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, and modern restrooms and sanitary dump stations.
31 Valhalla Lane, Cross Fork, PA 17729, Phone: 814-435-5000
The Outflow Camping Area
The Outflow Camping Area is a charming campground area in Pennsylvania's gorgeous Laurel Highlands, located on the famed Mason-Dixon line along the state's border with Maryland. The camping area sits on the banks of beautiful Youghiogheny River Lake and showcases stunning surrounding natural scenery on all sides, including lushly-forested mountainsides and steep valleys. The beautiful 16-mile-long lake offers some of southwestern Pennsylvania's best opportunities for watersports and power boating, renowned for its trout fishing stock and public-access fishing pier. Visitors can enjoy opportunities for year-round hiking, hiking, boating, waterskiing, and picnicking at the site, which is also home to a full-service campground offering tent and RV hookup campsites. Amenities include modern restrooms, showers, a dump station, and a children's playground for young visitors.
1579 Mae West Rd, Confluence, PA 15424, Phone: 814-395-3944
Promised Land State Park
Promised Land State Park is a lovely 3,000-acre state park within Pennsylvania's gorgeous Delaware State Forest, located in Pike County near the city of Greentown. The park, which is located at an elevation of more than 1,800 feet above sea level, is one of the most diverse areas for outdoor recreation in the state, named as one of the state's must-see state parks by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Year-round outdoor recreational opportunities include chances for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, boating, and ice skating. Native wildlife abounds, including American black bears and bald eagles, which can be seen throughout the park via observation decks. Overnight accommodations include four primitive and hookup site campgrounds, along with beautiful rustic rental cabins originally constructed during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
100 Lower Lake Rd, Greentown, PA 18426, Phone: 570-676-3428
Pymatuning State Park
Pymatuning State Park is a beautiful Pennsylvania state park stretching for 21,122 acres throughout Crawford County near the city of Jamestown. The park is the state's largest state park, home to the gorgeous 17,088-acre Pymatuning Lake, which straddles the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. The manmade lake was originally formed in the 1930s by damming the Shenango River. Today, it offers year-round opportunities for fishing and boating, including chances to catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, and walleye. The famed Linesville Spillway, known as the "Place Where the Ducks Walk on the Fishes' Backs," is renowned throughout the mid-Atlantic, home to such a dense population of fish that ducks and waterfowl frequently walk atop them on the water. Swimming beaches are open to the public between May and September, while seasonal hunting areas offer opportunities to hunt for white-tailed deer, rabbits, and waterfowl. Overnight campsites are open to the public between mid-April and late October, offering modern bathhouses, sanitary dump stations, and camp stores. 25 modern cabins can also be rented for overnight stay.
2660 Williamsfield Rd, Jamestown, PA 16134, Phone: 724-932-3142
Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park stretches for more than 7,500 acres throughout Beaver County, located just half an hour from Pittsburgh near the city of Hookstown. The charming state park is a top site for year-round outdoor recreation in the greater Pittsburgh region, offering chances for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing throughout the year on its lovely trail system. It is located on the grounds of the former Victorian-era Frankfort Mineral Springs site, which was operated by Edward McGinnis in the mid-19th century. Since the 1930s, it has expanded to become one of Pennsylvania's largest parks, home to the picturesque 101-acre Raccoon Lake, which offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Overnight camping facilities range from modern tent and trailer campsites to luxurious rental cabins, which features full kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms.
3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050, Phone: 724-899-2200
Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park spans 13,050 acres throughout Pennsylvania's Sullivan, Luzerne, and Columbia Counties, designated as a National Natural Landmark to preserve its gorgeous old-growth forest stretches. The lovely park, which is located near the city of Benton, is home to 24 beautiful waterfalls on picturesque Kitchen Creek, which flows through the Allegheny Front escarpment from the Allegheny Plateau to the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachian range. Throughout the years, the park has been the site of many visitor attractions due to its beautiful waterfalls, including a turn-of-the-century hotel whose proprietor gave the park its name. Today, it offers chances for fishing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking, along with opportunities for winter sports like cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and ice rock climbing. Two full-service campground areas are open to the public throughout the year, along with 10 lovely rental cabins with modern amenities.
695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 1781, Phone: 570-477-5675
Shawnee State Park
Shawnee State Park is a gorgeous 3,983-acre Pennsylvania state park in Bedford County, anchored around the stunning 451-acre Shawnee Lake warm-water reservoir. The park, which is located just outside of the city of Bedford, is named in honor of the region's indigenous Shawnee people, who once inhabited the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky areas prior to the arrival of European colonists. Year-round recreational opportunities include a 15-mile hiking and biking trail network, a warm-water fishery area stocked with walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and northern pike, and a 3,000-acre hunting area. Three boat launches are offered on the lake, which is also a popular swimming site during the summer months. A 293-site campground offers primitive and modern electric hookup campsites, along with amenities like a bathhouse, a camp store, and a sanitary dump station. Shawnee Lodge transforms the former home of University of Pittsburgh chancellor John Bowman into a beautiful year-round rental lodge, which features a modern kitchen and four bedrooms.
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559, Phone: 814-733-4218
Tionesta Recreation Area Campground
Tionesta Recreation Area Campground is located within the Tionesta Lake region, known throughout the Eastern United States as one of Pennsylvania's top big-game hunting regions. The lake, which is located within Forest County, winds through northwestern Pennsylvania's rugged hill country and meanders into the beautiful Allegheny National Forest. Area visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for fishing, watersports, boating, hiking, and hunting throughout the year on the lake's banks. A public-access boat ramp is offered for visitor use, along with a full-service marina offering watersport equipment rentals. The lovely campground offers 125 full hookup campsites, which offer access to modern restrooms and showers.
Tionesta Lake, Tionesta, PA 16353, Phone: 814-755-3512
Wilsonville Recreation Area
Wilsonville Recreation Area is a year-round outdoor recreation destination on the banks of beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack, located near the city of Hawley. The charming recreation area is a popular site for swimming, boating, and fishing throughout the year, home to a public-access swimming beach in nearby Palmyra Township open throughout the summer months. Visitors can make use of a public-access boat launch and gas dock, along with a full-service marina offering boat slips for day use. Active attractions include a children's playground and several sporting courts, including a full-size basketball court. Campers can choose from 160 tent and trailer hookup campsites, which offer access to modern amenities like laundry rooms, modern restrooms and showers, and a general store.
113 Ammon Dr, Hawley, PA 18428, Phone: 570-226-4382
