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 the blue text links on the map above or in the descriptions below to read more in-depth information about 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 Park is comprised of 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands in Centre County, and is further surrounded by 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest.
At the heart of the park is the 250 acre Black 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 park renowned for its dark skies and excellent stargazing opportunities.
3. Colton Point State Park
Colton Point State Park encompasses 368-acres on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County.
Perhaps best known for its magnificent views of the PA Grand Canyon, it is also home to a rugged waterfall trail that mirrors a similar trail on the opposite side of Pine Creek.
4. Cook Forest State Park
Cook Forest State Park covers an 8,500-acre expanse across portions of Clarion, Jefferson, and Forest counties in northwestern PA.
Once called the “Black Forest” (because light had difficulty penetrating the dense canopy of trees), this region of Pennsylvania was and is revered for its remaining stands of virgin timber, composed primarily of towering white pines and hemlocks.
5. Cowans Gap State Park
Cowans Gap State Park is a fantastic 1,085 acre park located in Fulton County (with a small portion extending into neighboring Franklin County as well).
At the heart of the park lies 42-acre Cowans Gap Lake, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid 1930’s.
6. Greenwood Furnace State Park
Greenwood Furnace State Park is 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 the Rothrock State Forest.
7. Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park is a magnificent 15,990-acre recreational area in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains.
The park features more than 40 miles of hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, unique natural areas, and spectacular scenic overlooks.
8. Hyner View State Park
Hyner View State Park offers 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 Park is home to what was once the 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 Park is comprised of 4,062 acres of mountainous, wooded terrain in central Somerset County.
At the heart of the park is the 63 acre Laurel 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 Park is the unofficial headquarters for one of the Keystone State’s most famous natural wonders – the PA Grand Canyon!
In addition to the stunning canyon views, Leonard Harrison State Park is also where you’ll find the Turkey 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 the Michaux State Forest, Pine Grove Furnace State Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
This 696-acre gem beckons 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 the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, which merge to form the Ohio River.
The park commemorates the strategic and historic heritage of the Forks of the Ohio during America’s early colonial period.
17. Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle State Park in Erie is Pennsylvania’s most-visited State Park, with over 4 million people a year venturing onto this sandy peninsula that arcs out into Lake Erie.
This 3,200-acre expanse of “PA seashore,” is rich in both historical significance and recreational opportunities.
18. Prince Gallitzin State Park
Prince Gallitzin State Park is a 6,249-acre recreational area in Cambria County.
At the heart of the park you’ll find 1,635-acre Glendale Lake, with 26 miles of shoreline.
19. Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park is a 7,572-acre recreational area located 30 miles west of Pittsburgh, in Beaver County.
The 314-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
The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park in Luzerne County is the most famous waterfall hike in Pennsylvania, featuring 21 named waterfalls along 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 Park in Susquehanna County is home to 3 superb waterfalls on the aptly-named Fall Brook.
Created by glaciers more than 18,000 years ago, Fall Brook Gorge is 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 encompasses 1,910 acres of magnificent scenery and outstanding wildlife habitat, and stretches from Cameron County in the south to Potter County in the north.
This long, narrow park includes lands on both sides of First 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 its 2,981 acres of pristine beauty and endless outdoor recreation.
At the heart of the park lies the 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake, an exceptional destination for boaters, anglers, and swimmers.
Related Articles
151 of the Best Scenic Overlooks in PA uses an interactive map to provide you with accurate directions to over 150 of Pennsylvania’s finest scenic overlooks!
20 Must-See Pennsylvania Waterfalls uses an interactive map to provide you with accurate directions to 20 of PA’s most exceptional waterfalls.
21 Must-See Pennsylvania Rock Formations uses an interactive map to provide you with accurate directions to 21 of the Keystone State’s finest geological formations.
My PA State Parks Guide is where you’ll find every state park article I’ve completed to date.
Did you enjoy this article?
If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to learn more about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!
Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.
