Best Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s diverse landscape offers campers an incredible range of experiences, from the rolling hills of Amish Country to the dense forests of the Allegheny Mountains. With over 120 state parks and countless private campgrounds, the Keystone State provides both rugged wilderness adventures and family-friendly camping opportunities. Between rushing waterfalls, expansive lakes, and historic sites, Pennsylvania’s campgrounds connect visitors to both natural beauty and American heritage. Let’s explore some of the finest camping destinations Pennsylvania has to offer, where you can disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with the great outdoors.

Ricketts Glen State Park

Number of Campsites: 120
Reservations: Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System
Address: 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814

Ricketts Glen showcases some of Pennsylvania’s most spectacular natural beauty, centered around a series of 22 named waterfalls cascading through an ancient forest. The campground sits near Lake Jean, a peaceful body of water rimmed by hardwood trees that explode with color each autumn.

The campsites spread across wooded terrain, offering both sun-dappled spaces and shady retreats beneath tall oaks and maples. Each morning begins with a chorus of songbirds—wood thrushes, warblers, and vireos announce the day with melodies that float through the trees. Mist often rises from the lake surface and hovers among the tree trunks, creating an ethereal scene as sunlight gradually filters through.

What makes Ricketts Glen truly special is the Falls Trail—a 7.2-mile loop that takes hikers past waterfall after waterfall, each with its own character. Waters plunge over rock faces draped in ferns and moss, creating a prehistoric atmosphere in the gorge. The trail is challenging in parts but rewards adventurers with scenes that feel plucked from a fantasy novel.

In the evening, as shadows lengthen across the campground, the distant sound of falling water mingles with the crackling of campfires. The park’s remote location results in minimal light pollution, allowing stars to emerge in stunning clarity on clear nights. Screech owls occasionally call from the forest edges, adding to the wilderness experience.

Cook Forest State Park

Number of Campsites: 226
Reservations: Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System
Address: 113 River Road, Cooksburg, PA 16217

Step back in time at Cook Forest, home to one of the largest stands of old-growth timber in the eastern United States. The Forest Cathedral Natural Area protects massive white pines and hemlocks that stretch over 150 feet tall, some dating back over 350 years. Walking through these ancient giants, sunlight filters through the high canopy, creating a cathedral-like atmosphere of quiet reverence.

The campground itself offers a range of experiences, from riverside sites along the Clarion River to secluded spots tucked among towering trees. Morning mist frequently shrouds the river valley, gradually burning off as sunlight strengthens. The earthy scent of damp soil and pine needles permeates the air, especially after summer rain showers leave the forest floor glistening.

The Clarion River provides a centerpiece for recreation, its clear, cool waters perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for trout. Outfitters in nearby Cooksburg rent watercraft for those who didn’t bring their own. Floating down the gentle current, you might spot bald eagles perched in riverside trees or deer coming to drink at the water’s edge.

Extensive hiking trails wind through the park, from easy walks suitable for young children to more challenging routes that climb ridge tops for expansive views. The Fire Tower Trail leads to an observation platform offering a bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy stretching to the horizon—particularly breathtaking in mid-October when fall colors peak.

Ohiopyle State Park

Number of Campsites: 200
Reservations: Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System
Address: 124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, PA 15470

Nestled in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, Ohiopyle State Park centers around the tumultuous Youghiogheny River as it cuts through a steep, forested gorge. The main campground at Kentuck Knob offers spacious sites set among mixed hardwood forests that provide dappled shade in summer and brilliant color in autumn.

Dawn in the campground brings a peaceful start to the day, as mist often rises from the valleys below and songbirds announce morning’s arrival. The distant rush of whitewater can sometimes be heard—a preview of adventure for those planning river activities. The campground features modern amenities including hot showers and flush toilets, making it suitable for families and campers seeking moderate comfort.

What sets Ohiopyle apart is the remarkable range of activities available within minutes of your campsite. The park is renowned for whitewater rafting, with outfitters offering guided trips through rapids ranging from gentle Class II to challenging Class IV. For less adrenaline-fueled water experiences, swimming areas and natural waterslides provide refreshing options on hot summer days.

The Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile rail trail connecting Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, passes through the park, offering excellent biking opportunities on its level, crushed-limestone surface. Hikers can explore over 79 miles of trails, from easy walks to Cucumber Falls—a picturesque 30-foot cascade—to more challenging treks deep into the forest.

As evening settles over the campground, the day’s activities give way to quiet conversation around campfires. The surrounding mountains block much artificial light, allowing the night sky to reveal its splendor on clear nights.

Cherry Springs State Park

Number of Campsites: 30
Reservations: Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System
Address: 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16915

For those who dream of camping beneath the stars, Cherry Springs offers an experience unlike any other in the eastern United States. Located on a 2,300-foot mountain top surrounded by the remote Susquehannock State Forest, this park has been designated an International Dark Sky Park—one of the few places on the east coast where light pollution is virtually non-existent.

The rustic campground provides basic amenities, with sites arranged in an open field and along the forest edge. By day, the park seems unassuming—a quiet mountain meadow surrounded by northern hardwood forests. But as darkness falls, the true magic begins. On clear nights, the Milky Way emerges with astonishing clarity, stretching from horizon to horizon in a river of stars. Planets shine like beacons, and deeper celestial objects invisible in most locations become readily apparent.

The park offers two distinct camping experiences: the rustic campground for traditional overnight stays, and the Night Sky Viewing Area where astronomers set up equipment for serious stargazing. Even casual visitors with no special equipment can participate in some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States, often revealing over 10,000 stars visible to the naked eye.

During daylight hours, hiking trails wind through the surrounding state forest, offering opportunities to spot wildlife including black bears, white-tailed deer, and numerous bird species. The nearby Pine Creek Gorge—often called the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon”—provides additional recreational opportunities just a short drive away.

For the best experience, plan your visit during a new moon period and check the weather forecast for clear skies. And remember to bring a red-filtered flashlight to preserve your night vision while moving around the campground after dark.

Worlds End State Park

Number of Campsites: 70
Reservations: Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System
Address: 82 Cabin Bridge Road, Forksville, PA 18616

True to its dramatic name, Worlds End offers camping in one of Pennsylvania’s most rugged and scenic landscapes. The park sits within a deep, narrow valley carved by Loyalsock Creek, with mountain slopes rising steeply on all sides. The campground itself hugs the creek, with many sites offering the soothing soundtrack of rushing water throughout the night.

The CCC-era campground features rustic charm with modern amenities, including hot showers and flush toilets. Sites are set among mixed hardwood forests that provide welcome shade in summer months and spectacular color in autumn. Morning fog frequently fills the valley, gradually lifting to reveal rocky cliffs and densely forested hillsides that create a feeling of wonderful isolation from the outside world.

Swimming in the creek’s mountain-cold water is a highlight for summer visitors, with a dam-created swimming area featuring a sandy beach and diving platform. Anglers find excellent fishing for trout in the creek’s deeper pools, while photographers discover endless compositions in the interplay of water, rock, and forest.

Hikers have access to challenging trails that climb from the valley floor to stunning vistas. The Canyon Vista Trail leads to an overlook where the entire valley spreads below, revealing why early settlers gave this place such an evocative name. In the distance, rolling mountains fade into blue haze, creating a sense of limitless wilderness.

As evening approaches, the valley dims while sunlight still bathes the upper hillsides in golden light. Campfires begin to twinkle throughout the grounds, their smoke curling upward through the trees. The creek’s constant murmur provides perfect white noise for deep, restful sleep after a day of outdoor adventure.

Promised Land State Park

Number of Campsites: 140
Reservations: Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System
Address: 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown, PA 18426

Perched atop the Pocono Plateau at 1,800 feet, Promised Land State Park offers a refreshing mountain retreat, particularly welcome during Pennsylvania’s humid summers. The park features two camping areas—the main campground near Promised Land Lake and a smaller, more secluded area at Pickerel Point that extends into the lake.

Both camping areas are surrounded by a forest of oak, maple, beech, and pine, creating natural barriers between many sites. Early mornings bring a symphony of birdsong, including the haunting calls of loons that echo across the lake surface. White-tailed deer often graze at forest edges in the golden light of dawn and dusk.

The park’s two lakes—Promised Land Lake and Lower Lake—form the centerpiece of recreation, offering swimming at sandy beaches, fishing for warm-water species, and boating (electric motors only). Rental boats are available for those who don’t bring their own. On calm mornings, mist hovers above the water surface, gradually dissipating as the sun climbs higher.

Over 50 miles of hiking trails wind through the surrounding Delaware State Forest, ranging from easy lakeside strolls to more challenging routes that visit remote waterfalls. The Conservation Island Trail leads across a footbridge to a nature preserve in the middle of the lake, where interpretive signs explain the area’s ecosystem and history.

Evening programs at the campground amphitheater educate visitors about local wildlife and natural history. As night falls, a chorus of frogs and insects rises from the lakeshore, complementing the flicker of campfires throughout the grounds.

Raystown Lake

Number of Campsites: 400+ across multiple campgrounds
Reservations: Recreation.gov
Address: 6145 Seven Points Road, Hesston, PA 16647

As Pennsylvania’s largest lake entirely within the state’s borders, Raystown Lake offers a camping experience centered around water recreation on an impressive scale. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages several campgrounds along the 118-mile shoreline, each with its own character and amenities.

Seven Points Campground, the largest facility, offers spacious sites with electric hookups, modern restrooms, and hot showers. Many sites perch on ridges overlooking the lake’s blue waters, providing spectacular views and cooling breezes during summer months. The scent of pine mingles with the fresh lake air, creating an invigorating atmosphere.

What sets Raystown apart is the incredible range of water activities available. The 8,300-acre lake features clean, clear water perfect for swimming, water skiing, and fishing. Bass tournaments are frequently held here, attracting anglers from across the region who target the lake’s abundant striped bass, lake trout, and smallmouth bass.

Mountain bikers find world-class trails along the lake’s eastern shore, where the Allegrippis Trail System offers over 36 miles of flowing single-track suitable for various skill levels. Hikers can explore shoreline paths that lead to quiet coves where osprey and bald eagles are often spotted fishing in the clear waters.

The lake’s unusual shape—long, narrow, and winding through mountain ridges—creates numerous secluded coves perfect for kayaking and canoeing. Paddlers who venture away from the main channels find peaceful retreats where the only sounds are their paddles dipping into the water and the occasional call of a pileated woodpecker from the forested shore.

Hickory Run State Park

Number of Campsites: 381
Reservations: Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System
Address: 3613 State Route 534, White Haven, PA 18661

In the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, Hickory Run State Park offers camping amid 15,990 acres of forest, streams, and geologic wonders. The large campground provides options ranging from rustic tent sites to areas with electric hookups, all within a mixed hardwood forest that erupts with color each autumn.

Morning in the campground brings the rich scent of eastern hemlock and white pine, along with the melodic songs of wood thrushes echoing through the trees. Red squirrels scold from overhead branches as campers emerge from tents and start breakfast. The campground features modern amenities including hot showers and flush toilets, making it suitable for families and first-time campers.

The park’s crown jewel is Boulder Field—a National Natural Landmark where an expanse of rock spreading over 16 acres creates an otherworldly landscape. These boulders, some as large as 25 feet in diameter, were deposited during the last ice age, creating a geological feature unlike anything else in the region. Standing in the middle of this vast stone sea creates a profound connection to the earth’s ancient processes.

Hickory Run Creek and other streams provide excellent trout fishing, while Sand Spring Lake offers a sandy beach for swimming during summer months. Over 40 miles of hiking trails range from easy walks suitable for young children to challenging routes that climb to ridge-top vistas overlooking the surrounding mountains.

As evening approaches, the forest canopy filters the setting sun into dappled patterns across the campground. Campfires glow throughout the grounds as temperatures drop, creating pools of warmth and light where stories are shared and marshmallows toasted.

Final Thoughts About Camping in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s campgrounds offer remarkable diversity—from star-filled mountain tops to riverside retreats, from ancient forests to expansive lakes. This variety means you can find the perfect camping experience regardless of your preferences, whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a combination of both.

The best time to camp in Pennsylvania generally runs from late spring through early fall. May and June offer abundant wildflowers and comfortable temperatures, while September and October provide spectacular fall foliage with reduced crowds. Summer camping, especially around holidays, requires advance reservations at popular parks.

Each of these campgrounds provides a unique window into Pennsylvania’s natural heritage, offering not just a place to sleep outdoors but an opportunity to connect with landscapes that have shaped the state’s history and character. Whether you’re pitching a tent for the first time or continuing a lifelong camping tradition, Pennsylvania’s diverse campgrounds invite you to create lasting memories beneath open skies.