If you’re looking for a list of the “best of the best” PA state parks, you’re in the right place!
Pennsylvania is home to 124 state parks, each offering its own unique blend of natural splendor and outdoor adventure.
Drawing upon my 55 years of living, working, and traveling around the state, I’ve curated a list highlighting what I consider to be 25 of the most breathtaking of those 124 PA state parks.
From the cozy beaches of Presque Isle to the wild waterfalls of Ricketts Glen, these are my go-to spots for a dose of nature and a break from the daily grind.
This article delves into each of these 25 picturesque state parks, guiding you through the natural wonders and activities that make each one a must-see destination in the Keystone State.
Simply click on theblue text linkson the map above or in the descriptions below to readmore in-depth informationabout each state park.
Rather than trying to arbitrarily rank each park (it was hard enough whittling the list down to 25!), my choices are listed alphabetically below.
1. Black Moshannon State Park
Black Moshannon State Parkis comprised of3,394 acresof forests and wetlands in Centre County, and is further surrounded by 43,000 acres of theMoshannon State Forest.
At the heart of the park is the 250 acreBlack Moshannon Lake, a fantastic spot for swimming, boating, fishing, and bird-watching.
2. Cherry Springs State Park
Cherry Springs State Park is an 82-acre Pennsylvania state parkrenowned for its dark skies and excellent stargazing opportunities.
3. Colton Point State Park
Colton Point State Parkencompasses 368-acres on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge inTioga County.
Perhaps best known for its magnificent views of thePA Grand Canyon, it is also home toa rugged waterfalltrailthat mirrors a similar trail on the opposite side of Pine Creek.
4. Cook Forest State Park
Cook Forest State Parkcovers an 8,500-acre expanse across portions ofClarion, Jefferson, and Forest countiesin northwestern PA.
Once called the“Black Forest”(because light had difficulty penetrating the dense canopy of trees), this region of Pennsylvania was and isrevered for its remaining stands of virgin timber, composed primarily of towering white pines and hemlocks.
5. Cowans Gap State Park
Cowans Gap State Parkis a fantastic 1,085 acre park located inFulton County(with a small portion extending into neighboringFranklin Countyas well).
At the heart of the park lies 42-acreCowans Gap Lake, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid 1930’s.
6. Greenwood Furnace State Park
Greenwood Furnace State Parkis a 423 acre recreational paradise in the mountains of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
It includes a six-acre lake, remnants of a ghost town and iron furnaces, and is surrounded by an 80,000-acre block of theRothrock State Forest.
7. Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Parkis a magnificent 15,990-acre recreational area in the western foothills of thePocono Mountains.
The park features more than40 miles of hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, unique natural areas, and spectacular scenic overlooks.
8. Hyner View State Park
Hyner View State Parkoffers visitors one of the finest scenic overlooks in all of Pennsylvania!
The observation area at this 6-acre park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
9. Kinzua Bridge State Park
Kinzua Bridge State Parkis home to what was oncethe longest and tallest railway bridge in the entire world– The Kinzua Viaduct.
Partially destroyed by a 2003 tornado, the State repurposed the remaining, still-standing 600 feet of bridge and built the Kinzua Skywalk, which opened in 2011.
10. Laurel Hill State Park
Laurel Hill State Parkis comprised of 4,062 acres of mountainous, wooded terrain in centralSomerset County.
At the heart of the park is the 63 acreLaurel Hill Lake, a fantastic spot for swimming, boating, fishing, and bird-watching.
11. Lehigh Gorge State Park
Lehigh Gorge State Park encompasses 6,107 acres of land that follows the steep gorge carved out by the Lehigh River from Francis E. Walter Dam in the north to Jim Thorpe in the south.
12. Leonard Harrison State Park
Leonard Harrison State Parkis the unofficial headquarters for one of the Keystone State’s most famous natural wonders – thePA Grand Canyon!
In addition to thestunning canyon views, Leonard Harrison State Park is also where you’ll find theTurkey Path,one of the most famous hiking trails in the Pine Creek Gorge.
13. McConnells Mill State Park
McConnells Mill State Park, located in Lawrence County, covers 2,546 acres of the stunning Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
Located roughly 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, the park is home to a slew of outstanding hikes, overlooks, waterfalls, and historic structures.
14. Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park spans around 20,500 acres of wild, natural scenery and acts as the southern entrance to the PA Laurel Highlands.
The Youghiogheny River Gorge, with its swift waters flowing right through the center of the park, is one of the main attractions at Ohiopyle.
15. Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Nestled in the embrace of South Mountain, surrounded by theMichaux State Forest, Pine Grove Furnace State Park isa haven for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
This696-acre gembeckons you to step back in time while also reveling in the natural beauty of the present.
16. Point State Park
Point State Park is located at the confluence of theAllegheny and Monongahela rivers, which merge to form theOhio River.
The park commemoratesthe strategic and historic heritage of the Forks of the Ohio during America’s early colonial period.
17. Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle State Parkin Erie isPennsylvania’s most-visited State Park, with over4 million people a yearventuring onto this sandy peninsula that arcs out into Lake Erie.
This3,200-acre expanse of “PA seashore,”is rich in both historical significance and recreational opportunities.
18. Prince Gallitzin State Park
Prince Gallitzin State Parkis a 6,249-acre recreational area in Cambria County.
At the heart of the park you’ll find 1,635-acreGlendale Lake, with26 miles of shoreline.
19. Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park is a7,572-acre recreational arealocated 30 miles west of Pittsburgh, in Beaver County.
The314-acre Wildflower Reserve, located on the eastern side of Raccoon Creek State Park, is home to one of the most diverse concentrations of wildflowers in western Pennsylvania.
20. Ricketts Glen State Park
TheFalls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Parkin Luzerne County isthe most famous waterfall hike in Pennsylvania, featuring21named waterfallsalong a loop hike of almost legendary status.
Near the north end of the park you’ll find the abandoned Lake Leigh Dam, a towering remnant of an ill-fated hydroelectric project that thankfully failed!
21. Salt Springs State Park
Salt Springs State Parkin Susquehanna County is home to3 superb waterfallson the aptly-namedFall Brook.
Created by glaciers more than 18,000 years ago,Fall Brook Gorgeis is an immensely enjoyable hiking destination, featuring the aforementioned waterfalls, old growth hemlocks, and a good luck rock!
22. Sinnemahoning State Park
Sinnemahoning State Park encompasses1,910 acresof magnificent scenery and outstanding wildlife habitat, and stretches fromCameron Countyin the south toPotter Countyin the north.
This long, narrow park includes lands on both sides ofFirst Fork Sinnemahoning Creek– a major tributary to the Sinnemahoning Creek.
23. Trough Creek State Park
Trough Creek State Park is a spectacular 541-acre gorge formed by Great Trough Creek as it slices through Terrace Mountain on its way towards Raystown Lake.
The park is home to miles of hiking trails, several waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and numerous other natural and man-made curiosities.
24. Worlds End State Park
Worlds End State Park is nestled in a tight S-shaped valley along the Loyalsock Creek, just below Forksville in Sullivan County.
Surrounded by the Loyalsock State Forest, this 780-acre park provides a variety of recreational activities in an unspoiled natural setting.
25. Yellow Creek State Park
Nestled in the picturesque hills of Indiana County, Yellow Creek State Park beckons with its2,981 acresof pristine beauty and endless outdoor recreation.
At the heart of the park lies the 720-acreYellow Creek Lake, an exceptional destination for boaters, anglers, and swimmers.
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My PA State Parks Guide is where you’ll find every state park article I’ve completed to date.
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