Pennsylvania Camping Places to Go
Top 10 Camping Places to Go in Pennsylvania PDF Print E-mail

Camping Gems - Places to Go in Pennsylvania


Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Bushkill
For 40 miles the Middle Delaware River passes between low forested mountains with barely a house in sight. Then the river cuts through the mountain ridge to form the famed "Water Gap." Enjoy fabulous canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, and swimming in the river, as well as 100 miles of hiking trails, including more than 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Presque Isle State Park
This 3,200 acre sandy peninsula juts out into Lake Erie for 7 miles.  Enjoy dramatic, sweeping views of the lake, plus plenty of room for boating, fishing, hiking, and birding. Don't forget to pack your swim suit -- Presque Isle State Park beaches have been rated among the top 100 swimming places in American by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. (814-833-7424)

Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
For 40 miles the Middle Delaware River passes between low forested mountains with barely a house in sight. Then the river cuts through the mountain ridge to form the famed "Water Gap." Head out on the Delaware for terrific canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, and swimming. In addition, the recreation area offers 100 miles of hiking trails, including more than 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory in the summer of 1863 that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy", it was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It also provided President Abraham Lincoln with the setting for his most famous address.

Lawrence County
Visit the heart of Amish Dutch country, a land filled with covered bridges, delightful small towns, and horse-and-buggy transportation. You can plan a tour through Volant, a grist mill town that was founded in 1893 and that now offers antique shops and Victorian collectibles.  New Wilmington has picturesque scenery, historic sites, and Old World charm. If riding by Amish farms makes you want to know more about how they live, tour the Amish Country Homestead, where you'll see a nine-room Amish house, learn about their clothing, furniture, family life, and customs.

Valley Forge National Historical Park
At this scenic park, you can walk the same ground George Washington and his men camped on during the bitter winter of 1777-78. Start at the Visitors Center, where you can pick up a self guided brochure and see some amazing artifacts including George Washington's sleeping marquee. (N Gulph Rd. & Rt. 23, Valley Forge, 610-783-1077)

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a partnership to develop a network of locally-managed trails in a corridor between the mouth of the Potomac River and the Allegheny Highlands. You can trek along trails including the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (Laurel Ridge State Park), the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage, and the 184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath.

Schuylkill River Valley National Heritage Area, Pottstown
The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is the birthplace of the movements that shaped the nation, fueled its growth, and reclaimed its future. You can learn about the Schuylkill River's part in the battle for America’s independence, in the Industrial Revolution, and in the early American environmental movement.

Lake Erie
This is the fourth largest of the Great Lakes, a lake with miles of sandy shoreline, blue open waters, and stunning sunsets.  Don't miss the chance to fish for walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch.  You'll also find plenty of space for boating and water skiing, sailing, swimming, and canoeing.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is a more than 2,175-mile long footpath stretching through 14 eastern states from Maine to Georgia. In Pennsylvania, you'll hike through the Michaux and Caledonia State Forests, the Rausch Gap, and the breathtaking Delaware Water Gap.