State Parks in Pennsylvania

Encompassing over 500,000 acres of dense forest, Allegheny National Forest dominates much of Pennsylvania’s northwestern landscapes. While Interstate Route 80 and 79 run along the southern and western boundaries of the forest, respectively, the fantastic hiking trails, motorhome camping spots, and hidden waterways can all be easily accessed thanks to the developed network of asphalt roads that wind their way through the trees.

Those traveling through Pennsylvania will find the town of DuBois to be the last town of any substantial size before you enter the wilderness. Close to the borders of New York and Ohio, you can also reach Allegheny National Forest in less than three hours when you arrive from Cleveland, OH, and less than two hours …

If your idea of the perfect camping getaway involves spending lots of time on, in, or near the water, you'll jump at the chance to visit Bald Eagle State Park. Located near the town of Howard in central Pennsylvania, this 5,900-acre park is home to the Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, which is the site of a host of recreational activities within the park.

Boating, fishing, and swimming are all popular pastimes at Bald Eagle State Park, while 14.5 miles of hiking trails and impressive wildlife watching opportunities are other headline attractions. And because the park is just a handful of miles off Interstate 80, not to mention has a large campground that accommodates RVs, it's easily accessible in a motorhome. …

Camping with an RV is a great way to spend an outdoor adventure, and Beltzville State Park in Pennsylvania is a popular camping destination. Located in the southern foothills of the scenic Pocono Mountains, Beltzville State Park is spread more than over 2900 acres, and its main attraction is the 950-acre large Beltzville Lake. Just five miles from Lehighton and off US Route 209, the state park is a popular recreational escape for campers and nature lovers. As Beltzville Lake is a part of the Lehigh River Basin, it provides ample opportunities for a wide variety of water sports. Renting an RV is a convenient way of getting around the state park, and you’ll find a range of affordable RV …

Situated deep within the city of Philadelphia, PA, the Franklin Institute Science Museum is one of Pennsylvania’s most visited museums. Sitting at the heart of the Franklin Institute Science Museum is the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Located inside the rotunda, this memorial stands a colossal 20-foot high statue of Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin was an American writer and statesman who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Plan a motorhome camping excursion to Philadelphia for your next vacation, and cross this beautiful monument off your bucket list.

No matter what time of year you’re visiting, Philadelphia is never short of fun things to do. From running up the iconic Rocky Steps to taking a ‘belfie’ with the …

Big Pocono State Park lies in north-eastern Pennsylvania, is 1,306 acres, and covers the summit of Camelback Mountain. The Pocono Mountains are a spectacular mountain range in Pennsylvania, offering four seasons of endless fun, incredible landscapes and a number of outdoor activities. From the summit, the views are incredible and can be reached by a series of interconnecting trails. The area is known for its scenic beauty, and the park itself is rugged but beautiful.

Big Pocono State Park closes the day after deer season in December and opens in the spring, sunrise to sunset, offering plenty of time to explore the wilderness. It is maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Camelback Ski Corporation.

Big …

If you're searching for a remote wilderness escape in the heart of Pennsylvania, look no further than Black Moshannon State Park. Located just east of Philipsburg, this 3,394-acre park sits on the shores of Black Moshannon Lake and is surrounded by the 43,000-acre Moshannon State Forest.

The result is a beautiful, secluded park where campers can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities all year round. Boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, and winter sports are just some of the pastimes on offer, and with a 73-site campground located in the heart of this wilderness area, Black Moshannon State Park has everything you need for a memorable camping getaway.

Keep reading to find out what to do and where to stay …

Nestled near the eastern banks of the tranquil Susquehanna River in Dauphin, mid-way between Harrisburg and Duncannon in Pennsylvania is Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area. This park is a conservation area that was donated by real estate developer Alex Boyd in 1999. When you’re looking for a serene place away from the hustles of city life, search for an RV in Dauphin and make memories RV camping at Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area.

Covering more than 940 acres of forests, fields on the foothills of the Blue Mountain, Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area is a favorite getaway spot for hiking, hunting, and birdwatching. Other activities in the area include fishing and boating at the Susquehanna River, …

Situated within South Mountain, the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pennsylvania is beautiful, Caledonia State Park. The park covers 1,125 acres, and for those that rent an RV in Franklin County, it is usually a stop-off point for a day or an even longer extended period of time. Caledonia State Park is named for the Caledonia Furnace, and today the area is known for its abundance of recreational opportunities. The furnace was situated and used in the park in the 1800s and was later destroyed in the civil war.

People from miles around head down to Caledonia State Park to go for a walk on one of the hiking trails, play a round of golf, go for …

Located approximately 39 miles from Bradford and eight miles from Warren Chapman State Park is known for its tranquility. The park covers 862 acres of land and is home to 68-acre Lake Chapman. The lake is popular among Warren campers in part due to its great fishing, swimming, and boating. The lake provides a habitat for both warm and cold-water fish. Other than water recreation, there are a variety of activities, including hunting, hiking, and picnicking. For winter folks, the park offers cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. There are five shelter pavilions and a huge picnic area overlooking the lake. Chapman State Park serves as a trailhead for several trails leading to the adjacent forest. In addition to park …

Cherry Springs State Park in rural Pennsylvania may be a small park, but it has the distinct honor of being named the second International Dark Sky Park in the country and is consistently rated as one of the top ten places in the world for stargazing. If you’re into astronomy, you’d be missing out if you didn’t search for an RV in Potter County to witness the night sky.

Located approximately four hours north of Pittsburgh and not too far south of Syracuse, Cherry Springs State Park sits atop the Allegheny Plateau in an area known for its native black cherry trees. It was initially home to a log cabin hotel where weary homesteaders would stop for a night …

The beautiful Clear Creek State Park located in Jefferson County in the state of Pennsylvania is a wilderness oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the townships of Heath and Barnett, the Clear Creek State Park is in the borough of Brookville and stands at the confluence of the Clear Creek and Clarion River.

Occupying one of the most scenic parts of the Clarion Valley, the park covers over 1600 acres of forested area. Historically, the park has been open to the public since the Great Depression, with many of the recreational facilities being constructed around that time, and still in use today. The river and the excellent hiking trails are a major attraction for Clear Creek State Park campers.

Occupying almost 3500 acres, Codorus State Park is a wonderland of rolling hills, sun-dappled forests and scenic waterways. At the center of it all is shimmering Lake Marburg, where you can cast a line for bluegill, launch a kayak, or enjoy a scenic hike around the shoreline.

Beyond discovering the great outdoors, Codorus State Park is a fantastic jumping point for exploring sites that shaped the face of American history. To the east is the poignant Gettysburg National Military Park, while greater York County cradles historic railroads, 18th-century mansions and heritage museums.

At just one-hour from Baltimore and 2.5 hours from Philadelphia, Codorus State Park is a firm favorite with city dwellers in search of fresh air and Keystone State …

Covering over 370 acres of scenic woodland forests, Colonel Denning State Park is an enjoyable escape for a motorhome camping trip. Located in Pennsylvania in the Lower Mifflin Township in Newville, the state park is in the Doubling Gap of Blue Mountain. Camping at Colonel Denning State Park is a great way to spend time in scenic natural surroundings. Named after William Denning, who was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War but strangely never a colonel, the state park has been around since 1936 when it was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. 

The rolling mountains surrounding Colonel Denning State Park make it one of the most scenic areas to spend time in, and visitors from all over …

Pine Creek Gorge is a spectacular, 800-foot-deep canyon known as "the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania." Found in the state's central north, this eye-catching natural attraction is also home to a memorable RV camping destination — Colton Point State Park.

Located near Wellsboro, this 368-acre park sits on the gorge's western rim. It offers beautiful scenery, rustic charm, great fishing, and gorgeous fall foliage. And with a peaceful campground where you can immerse yourself in the relaxing natural surrounds, it's a great spot to stay for a while in a rental RV.

Cowans Gap State Park has a surprisingly rich history for a tiny little piece of wilderness so far from civilization. Battles were fought, and settlers scratched out a living by farming, mining, and lumbering. The land was stripped bare, plundered of its natural riches. Cowans Gap was covered by a dense growth of oak, maple, and fir, but as of 1907, it was completely bare and exposed to the elements. After the Great Depression, as a part of the New Deal, Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps and hired a cadre of young men to plant thousands upon thousands of trees, rebuild bridges, create new roads, and clear the underbrush to minimize forest fires. They also built a …