Pennsylvania’s beautiful geography, which is spanned by the Appalachian Mountains and home to lovely leisure places, is dotted with more than 120 state parks.
These campgrounds offer a variety of overnight lodging options, from rustic backcountry and lakefront campsites to sophisticated rental cabins and cottages with full kitchens and modern conveniences.
Unique glamping experiences, such as Mongolian-style yurts and fully-equipped luxury RVs, are available at some campgrounds.
Table of Contents
10 Best Tent Camping Spots
Cherry Springs State Park
Potter County, Pennsylvania is home to Cherry Springs State Park. It only has 30 camping spaces, which are shared by tent campers.
This state park does not offer any cabins, cottages, or yurts, so you’ll have to bring your own shelter.
There are no full-service hookups available, but you can use the outhouses. This state park is one of the best sites in the country to stargaze. With the naked eye, you can see over 10,000 stars at night.
This is the next place you should go camping if you’ve never seen the Milky Way or taken breathtaking night photography.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Star Gazing
- The Woodsmen Show
Prince Gallitzin State Park
Patton, Pennsylvania is home to Prince Gallitzin State Park. It includes 400 campsites, making it the largest state park in Pennsylvania in terms of campsites.
RVs and tents can be parked here. There is electricity at the sites, and you are welcome to bring your pets and cats. You’ll be able to camp comfortably because the bathrooms feature both plumbing and showers.
This is critical because there are several activities and chances to become dirty. It has more to do with Prince Gallitzin than any other park. It’s difficult to find a park with so many diverse ways to interact with nature.
When you add in an abundance of campsites and modern amenities, you have a fantastic destination to take your family on vacation.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Horse Riding
- Swimming
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Disc Golfing
- Orienteering
- Cross Country Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Wildlife Watching
Parker Dam State Park
Parker Dam State Park is located in Penfield, Pennsylvania, and spans 968 acres.
It is located next to Moshannon State Forest, which contains 50,000 acres of wilderness for travelers to enjoy hiking and camping.
There are 109 camping spaces available. Tent and RV sites are available, as well as electric hookups.
This park, like Prince Gallitzin State Park, offers a diverse range of activities. The difference is that it is not nearly as crowded, giving backpackers and wilderness campers more opportunities to enjoy themselves.
This state park allows you to go on a hiking trip through the Quehanna Wild Areas while still being able to return to the campground and have a hot shower.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Swimming
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
The Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest in the state of Pennsylvania’s only national forest. Because this forest was once vulnerable to human devastation, the majority of the trees in this area are less than 100 years old.
Since then, the land has been regenerated as a lush, wildlife-filled forest. To begin, this is the only national forest in the state. It’s primarily man-made, and it’s been around for a long time.
This is BLM territory, and you can camp in a primitive manner for the most part. In fact, if you’ve ever fantasized about relocating to Pennsylvania’s forests, here is the place to be.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Tioga State Forest
Tioga State Forest spans two counties and comprises 161,890 acres. This forest is a “working forest” in the sense that it is still being harvested in some sections.
However, don’t let this deter you from camping here; there are many beautiful natural sites to explore and camping choices throughout the forest.
Some portions of the forest require that you obtain a free camping permit, while others do not. There are four natural locations to camp in at Tioga State Forest.
Pine Creek Gorge, Black Ash Swamp, Reynolds Spring, and Asaph Wild Natural Areas are among them.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Cross Country Skiing and SnowshoeingRafting
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
Gifford Pinchot State Park
Gifford Pinchot State Park is located in York County and provides outdoor enthusiasts in the southern section of the state with 2,338 acres of fun.
In Gifford Pinchot State Park, there are 289 different campsites to choose from. Electricity is accessible at the campsites, as well as a bathroom with showers.
Pets are welcome at the park, and you may rent an RV site, a cabin, or even a yurt if you want to break away from tent camping for a spell.
This state park has something for everyone, and it is conveniently located for those of us who live in Pennsylvania’s southern region.
It features a full-service campground and is connected to one of the state’s most extensive hiking routes.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Biking
- Swimming
- Boating
- Fishing
- Disc Golfing
Seven Points Campground
Raystown Lake is 8,300 acres in size, and the Seven Points Campground is located along its shores. The lake stretches for 27 km.
This campsite offers both electric and non-electric sites. The sites are large in either case, and you may even select locations that already have tent pads or platforms. On-site bathrooms with showers are available.
This campground isn’t a state park, thus it doesn’t have all of the same laws and regulations.
Personally, I don’t mind camping in a calm location where drinking is prohibited, but some do.
This could be the location for you if you want to go camping while still having a drink or two late at night. There are many outdoor activities to enjoy without sacrificing modern conveniences.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Biking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Water Sports
Hickory Run State Park
White Haven, Pennsylvania is home to Hickory Run. It is located at the foot of the Pocono Mountains and spans about 16,000 acres. It has the most campsites (380) among the state’s eastern parks.
There are places available for RVs and tents, as well as electricity. Many of the sites are also pet-friendly, so you can take your dog camping with you.
On the east side of Pennsylvania, this is one of the greatest centrally placed state parks.
It is surrounded by several state parks and is conveniently located near Philadelphia.
Of course, the park has its own distinct elements that make it enjoyable to visit for its own sake.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Disc Golfing
- Orienteering
- Geocaching
- Cross-country Skiing
- Ice Skating
- Snowmobiling
Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park is more than 13,000 acres in size and spans three Pennsylvania counties. Columbia County, Luzerne County, and Sullivan County are among them. There are 120 camping sites available, and the campground is open all year.
There are showers and flush toilets at the campground, which is pet-friendly. If you ask someone why they like Ricketts Glen, they’ll probably say it’s because of the waterfalls.
The waterfalls are lengthy and gorgeous, making them an excellent spot for trekking and photography.
You also have access to a beautiful lake for swimming and fishing, as well as a modern campground with clean restrooms.
Activities at a Glance
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Swimming
- Boating
- Fishing
The Susquehanna River
The centre of the Susquehanna River is a well-known camping spot. There are 23 primitive island campsites along the river near Harrisburg that can only be reached by watercraft.
The Susquehanna River Trail Association looks after these islands.
The experience of getting to these islands is the finest part of camping there. You can either take a canoe or a kayak or fish along the route.
