Pennsylvania is known for its rolling hills and lush forests, and fortunately, much of those lands are protected with a network of state parks. These parks are perfect getaways for RV enthusiasts. Whether you are someone who wants a relaxing weekend out-of-town, or you are a gung-ho wilderness adventurer, Pennsylvania has plenty of beautiful parks for you.
Below we go over ten of our favorite parks in Pennsylvania for an RV camping trip. We’ve included location information, park highlights, and RV site information so you can easily find a park near you. Not finding what you’re looking for? Find another outstanding park for your next camping trip.
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1. Pymatuning State Park
- Location: Northwestern Pennsylvania, about 1.5 hours north of Pittsburgh
- Park Highlights: Year-round recreation opportunities and excellent fishing
- RV Sites: 51 sites with full hookups, 207 sites with electric hookups, and 130 without hookups
Pymatuning State Park is big! With nearly 17,000 acres of land, it is one of the largest parks in the state, plus the 17,000-acre lake is the largest lake in the state. In the warmer months, visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, birding, hiking, camping, and other great recreational opportunities. There are also ample opportunities for winter activities, like snowmobiling with five miles of dedicated trails, sledding, and cross-country skiing.
2. Promised Land State Park
- Location: Eastern Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes east of Scranton
- Park Highlights: Lakes and streams intersperse a thick forest home to a wide array of animals and birds
- RV Sites: 184 sites with electric hookup
Surrounded by the Delaware State Forest, Promised Land State Park boasts two lakes, several streams, and miles of hiking trails to explore the area’s diverse plant life. The forest consists of mostly beech, oak, maple, and hemlock trees that provide a home to an array of animals, including black bears and white-tailed deer, and several bird species, such as red-eyed vireo and the American redstart.
3. Ricketts Glen State Park
- Location: Eastern Pennsylvania, about an hours’ drive northwest from Wilkes-Barre
- Park Highlights: A large scenic park encompassing an old growth forest and a series of waterfalls
- RV Sites: 113 sites without hookups
Another large park in eastern Pennsylvania, Ricketts Glen State Park harbors Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark renowned for its old-growth forest composed of eastern white pine, hemlock, and a mix of hardwoods. There is also a series of 24 free-flowing waterfalls along Kitchen Creek, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in the ancient hillsides. These waterfalls can best be viewed from a well-maintained hiking trail system. Considered one of the most scenic areas in the whole state, Ricketts Glen State Park is also home to black bears, porcupines, beavers, bobcats, and wild turkeys.
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4. Ohiopyle State Park
- Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania, about 1.5 hours southeast of Pittsburgh
- Park Highlights: Ruggedly beautiful park with a whitewater river gorge
- RV Sites: 55 sites with electric hookup and 124 sites without hookups
Located at the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, Ohiopyle State Park is beloved for its rugged beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. Passing through the heart of the park, the rushing waters of the Youghiogheny River Gorge are the park’s centerpiece. The river makes for spectacular scenery, as well as some of the best whitewater boating in the eastern United States and some fantastic natural waterslides. There are miles of multi-use trails for hikers and bikers to explore this large, stunning park.
5. Black Moshannon State Park
- Location: Central Pennsylvania, about 25 minutes northwest of State College (Penn State)
- Park Highlights: A scenic park with unique forest and wetland ecosystems
- RV Sites: 12 sites with full hookups, 11 with electric hookup, and 7 without hookups
Black Moshannon State Park encompasses preserved forests and wetlands that provide outstanding recreational opportunities amidst unique ecosystems. Additionally, more than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround the park, helping to make the state park a remote and wild setting. The park’s Black Moshannon Lake is fed by clear springs and small streams that flow through bogs that radiate in all directions from the lake. As the clear water flows through sphagnum moss and other wetland plants, it becomes colored by plant tannins, giving the lake an eerie, but beautiful tea color.
6. Hickory Run State Park
- Location: Eastern Pennsylvania, about an hour’s drive north of Allentown
- Park Highlights: A large park with plenty of recreation all year-round
- RV Sites: 15 sites with full hookups and 111 sites with electric hookups
Spread across the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains, Hickory Run State Park is a substantial park with over 40 miles of hiking trails, three state park natural areas, and miles of trout streams. Boulder Field, a striking area strewn with boulders, is a must-see within the park and designated a National Natural Landmark. Sand Spring Lake, partially boarded by sand beaches, is a favorite place to splash and play in the warmer months. Come winter, the lake transforms into a massive, natural ice-skating rink. Hunting is also available by permit.
7. Gifford Pinchot State Park
- Location: South Central Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes northwest of York
- Park Highlights: Diverse landscape makes for a perfect backdrop for a wide range of outdoor activities
- RV Sites: 22 sites with full hookups, 118 with electric hookups, and 143 sites without hookups
Gifford Pinchot State Park is located within an area of woodlands and farmlands in south-central Pennsylvania, near the crossroads of Interstate 81, Interstate 83, Route 76 (PA Turnpike), and Route 15, making it accessible to many towns and cities in the region. The park and its lake offer boating, fishing, disc golfing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming in the summer months. Winter activities, including ice fishing, ice boating, cross-country skiing, and ice skating, make the park a popular destination even when it gets chilly outside.
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8. Bald Eagle State Park
- Location: Central Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes northeast of State College (Penn State)
- Park Highlights: Lake and forested park set against Bald Eagle Mountain
- RV Sites: 18 sites with full hookups, 65 sites with electric hookups, and 9 sites without hookups, located in the modern campground
Bald Eagle State Park is located in the heart of Pennsylvania and is a short driving distance from Penn State. The park contains a large lake, great for boating and fishing when the weather is warm, that beautifully flanks Bald Eagle Mountain. The entirety of the park compasses forests, fields, and wetlands, creating diverse habitats for wildlife viewing. There are two well-maintained campgrounds in the park, including picnic tables, hot showers, an amphitheater, and a bathhouse.
9. Codorus State Park
- Location: South Central Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes east of Gettysburg
- Park Highlights: A large lake for boating and fishing, and adjacent streams filled with trout
- RV Sites: 30 sites with full hookups, 78 with electric hookups, and 59 sites without hookups
Set along the rolling hills of southern York County, Codorus State Park is beloved for Lake Marburg. The lake has 26 miles of shoreline and is a rest stop for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, making it a favorite spot for birdwatchers. The lake is popular with sailboats and motorboats in the summer, as well as anglers fishing the lake and adjacent Codorus Creek for trout.
10. Parker Dam State Park
- Location: Central Pennsylvania, about an hour and fifteen minutes southwest of Williamsport
- Park Highlights: Great for wilderness adventurers and relaxation-minded outdoors people alike
- RV Sites: 22 sites with full hookups, 60 sites with electric hookups, and 23 sites without hookups
A gateway to the vast expanses of Moshannon State Forest, Parker Dam State Park is a wilderness explorer’s paradise. It’s also a great spot for the less adventurous looking for a relaxing outdoor getaway. The park has plenty of old-fashioned charm and character with a scenic lake, rustic cabins, quaint campground, and miles of forest. In the winter the park turns into a winter wonderland with snowmobiling, ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing, and ice fishing.
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Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.