The 25 Best State Parks in Pennsylvania

With 124 state parks encompassing 2.5 million acres, Pennsylvania is a mecca for outdoor adventure and scenic landscapes. Each park offers its own unique draws, like cascading waterfalls, interesting geological features, diverse ecosystems and plenty of space for year-round recreational activities, from hiking and canoeing to skiing and snowmobiling. As a bonus, admission to parks within the Keystone State is free of charge, no matter where you’re visiting from.

To help you plan your trip, we’ve compiled a list of the best state parks in Pennsylvania based on visitor recommendations and recreational opportunities.

1. Ohiopyle State Park

Hours: 8am–8pm daily
Admission: Free

Ohiopyle State Park, located in southwestern Pennsylvania, encompasses over 20,000 acres and acts as the gateway to the mountainous Laurel Highlands region. Youghiogheny River Gorge is the park’s most extraordinary feature, providing some of the most exhilarating whitewater rafting in the eastern United States. The park offers 79 miles of hiking trails with four trails traversing Ferncliff Peninsula, a 100-acre botanical reserve. Overnight accommodation options include a campground, cottages, yurts and a motel.

2. Presque Isle State Park

Hours: 5am–sunset daily
Admission: Free

Presque Isle State Park, located near Erie, boasts Pennsylvania’s only shore. This 3,200-acre sandy peninsula arches into Lake Erie and offers sunseekers 11 designated beach areas. The park welcomes more than four million visitors each year, making it the most visited state park in Pennsylvania. In addition to beach activities, the park is a favored spot for birdwatchers thanks to its diverse ecosystem that attracts many endangered and rare breeds of migrating birds. Hikers can trek the park’s marshy shores along the Gulf Point Trail’s 3.1-mile out-and back route.

3. Kinzua Bridge State Park

Hours: 8 am–6 pm daily
Admission: Free

Spanning 339 acres in McKean County in northern Pennsylvania, Kinzua Bridge State Park is home to the Kinzua Viaduct. This 2,053-foot-long, 301-foot-high railroad structure has been repurposed as a pedestrian walkway. Known as the largest railway bridge in the world, this lengthy skywalk offers epic views of the Kinzua Gorge and the forest beneath. The park has three designated hiking trails, with Kinzua Bridge Trail 1.2-mile out-and-back trek being the most popular. Additional activities include fishing for native brook trout in the Kinzua Creek, and hunting within the park’s 100-acre designated hunting area.

4. Ricketts Glen State Park

Hours: sunrise–sunset daily
Admission: Free

Encompassing 13,193 acres, Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the largest state parks in Pennsylvania, which contains the 245-acre Lake Jean. The park is considered by many to be one of the most scenic areas in the state. Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark, is brimming with old-growth forests, diverse wildlife and towering waterfalls. Ganoga Falls, soaring at 94 feet, is the tallest of the 22 falls within the park. There are 26 miles of hiking trails to explore, and campers can choose from 10 modern cabins or among 120 campsites.

5. Archbald Pothole State Park

Hours: sunrise–sunset daily
Admission: Free

Archbald Pothole State Park is named for the Archbald Pothole, a geological feature formed over 15,000 years ago. The crater is 38 feet deep and could hold 140,000 gallons of water, making it the world’s largest glacial pothole. Though the pothole is the main attraction of this 150-acre park in northeastern Pennsylvania, visitors will also find a space ideal for outdoor activities. Hikers can trek the Archbald Pothole Loop, an easy one-mile route popular with birdwatchers, while hunters have a 100-acre designed area for hunting and trapping.

6. Cherry Springs State Park

Hours: sunrise–sunset daily
Admission: Free

Cherry Springs State Park in northern Pennsylvania is a dark sky park credited with the best star-gazing in the state. The 82-acre park draws astronomy buffs to its skies for clear views of the Milky Way, meteors and constellations, among other star attractions. Meanwhile, the daytime hours can be filled by exploring the park’s 15 trails. Cherry Creek Reservoir Trail is a popular trek traversing a 5.5-mile loop with several cascading waterfalls to admire along the way. There are 30 rustic campgrounds for campers to choose from.

7. Hickory Run State Park

Hours: sunrise–sunset daily
Admission: Free

Hickory Run State Park covers nearly 16,000 acres in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains. The park’s most striking feature is Boulder Field, a series of massive rocks that have sat together for over 20,000 years. Visitors can view the formation from the sidelines, or take a walk along the rocks. A popular hiking trail among the 40-mile network of trails is Hawk Falls Trail, a six mile trek to this 25-foot cascading waterfall. Additional activities include swimming in Sand Spring Lake, fishing for trout along miles of streams, and camping in campsites and cottages.

8. Bald Eagle State Park

Hours: sunrise–sunset daily
Admission: Free

Located in the heart of Pennsylvania, the 5,900-acre Bald Eagle State Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise where spotting a coveted bald eagle is highly likely. FJ Sayers Lake, a 1,750-acre body of water, offers 23 miles of shoreline and plenty of yellow perch, crappie and channel fish for anglers. Butterfly Trail is a 1.5-mile out-and-back trek and is a popular choice among the park’s 14 miles of trails. The trail runs from the beach to a pond, with opportunities for spotting birds, frogs, and turtles.

9. Leonard Harrison State Park

Hours: sunrise–sunset daily
Admission: Free

Leonard Harrison State Park sits on the eastern rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, better known as “the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania”. This 585-acre park is one of the most awe-inspiring attractions within the state. The park offers two hiking trails to explore: Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania Overlook Trail, a one-mile loop with sweeping canyon views; and Turkey Path Trail’s two-mile out-and-back route with steep inclines. The park’s picnic area offers charcoal grills and plenty of picnic tables.

10. Lehigh Gorge State Park

Hours: sunrise–sunset daily
Admission: Free

A deep gorge carved by a river is the highlight of Lehigh Gorge State Park, located in eastern Pennsylvania. This 6,107-acre park offers 33 miles of hiking trails, many featuring scenic views and waterfalls along the way, and there are plenty of trout to catch. In the winter, snowmobilers can explore the park on 15 miles of snowmobiling trails. But the park’s most popular activity is whitewater rafting along the Lehigh River, which contains class II and class III whitewater rapids.

See the full list of the 25 Best State Parks in Pennsylvania

1. Ohiopyle State Park
2. Presque Isle State Park
3. Kinzua Bridge State Park
4. Ricketts Glen State Park
5. Archbald Pothole State Park
6. Cherry Springs State Park
7. Hickory Run State Park
8. Bald Eagle State Park
9. Leonard Harrison State Park
10. Lehigh Gorge State Park
11. Point State Park
12. Cook Forest State Park
13. Colton Point State Park
14. Hyner View State Park
15. Trough Creek State Park
16. World’s End State Park
17. Big Poconos State Park
18. Promised Land State Park
19. Codorus State Park
20. Moraine State Park
21. Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park
22. March Creek State Park
23. French Creek State Park
24. Canoe Creek State Park
25. Lauren Hill State Park