Camping in Pennsyvania State Parks

It's the time of year for camping. Many families are looking for great places to camp close to home. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a lot of information on camping in Pennsylvania State Parks. Many of the listings below are in Central and Western PA but, French Creek State Park is located just a short distance away in Elverson, PA and offers great hiking, biking and boating. For more information on camping visit the PA Department of Resources website.

Where to camp . . . At the Water's Edge

Clear Creek Kettle Creek Ole Bull Pymatuning

Cowans Gap Keystone Prince Gallitzin Yellow Creek

Gifford Pinchot Locust Lake Promised Land

Where to Camp. . .To Learn About Pennsylvania's History

Clear Creek and Cook Forest - Civilian Conservation Corps and Logging
Frances Slocum - American Indian History
Greenwood Furnace - Iron Industry: National Register of Historic Sites
Keystone - Coal Mining
Little Buffalo - Grist Mill
Laurel Hill - Civilian Conservation Corps and Logging
Oil Creek - Early Oil Industry
Parker Dam - Civilian Conservation Corps and Logging
Pine Grove Furnace - Iron Industry: National Register of Historic Sites
Promised Land - Civilian Conservation Corps
Trough Creek - Iron Industry

Where to Camp. . .To See National Natural Landmarks

Colton Point/Leonard Harrison - Pine Creek Gorge, scenic gorge also known as Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon
Cook Forest - Forest Cathedral, a stand of old growth white pine and hemlock
Hickory Run - Boulder Field, a sea of boulders created by freeze-thaw action associated with the Laurentide Continental Glacier
Ohiopyle - Ferncliff Peninsula, contains old growth timber and unique plant species
Ricketts Glen - Glens Natural Area, 22 named waterfalls in a scenic glen of old growth pines, hemlocks and oaks
Explore natural areas for more information.

Where to Camp. . .To Leave the Crowds Behind

These parks offer more remote campgrounds that tend to be less crowded. These campgrounds do not take reservations and are first-come, first-served only.

Cherry Springs Patterson S. B. Elliott

Colton Point Penn-Roosevelt

Fowlers Hollow Ravensburg

Where to Camp. . .To Hike

These parks have over 30 miles of hiking trails.

Cook Forest Laurel Ridge Promised Land

French Creek Ohiopyle Raccoon Creek

Hickory Run Oil Creek