When’s the last time you took a weekend off? No chores. Turned off the phone. Just enjoyed two blissful days of doing whatever you wanted? Probably too long ago, right? Well, instead of sticking around doing chores on your next free weekend, hit the road on an unforgettable road trip to these enchanting state parks to visit in Pennsylvania. You’ll get to see some of the best that Pennsylvania has to offer and enjoy a relaxing getaway.

Click here for the Google Map of this road trip.

Plan your road trip!
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Explore some of the charming state parks in Pennsylvania on this delightful road trip. As always, you can follow the road trip as it is, or mix it up a bit by adding or removing stops to meet your needs and interests. Whatever you do, have fun!
1. Kinzua Bridge State Park
Kinzua Bridge State Park, 296 Viaduct Rd, Mt Jewett, PA 16740, USA
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Let's kick off our weekend trip in Pennsylvania at Kinzua Bridge State Park. You'll find plenty to do at the 339-acre park. Spend a few hours hiking and enjoying wildlife watching before relaxing with a picnic. However, the masterpiece of the state park is Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, once a majestic bridge partially destroyed during a tornado in 2003. Today, visitors can walk down the remnants of the bridge, where you can stand on a glass floor and look down 301 feet at the forest floor below. Here's the official website of Kinzua Bridge State Park.
2. Cherry Springs State Park
Cherry Springs State Park, 4639 Cherry Springs Rd, Coudersport, PA 16915, USA
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Just like any of the state parks on this road trip and in Pennsylvania, Cherry Springs State Park is worthy of an entire weekend visit itself. The masterpiece of the cozy 82-acre state park, surrounded by the massive Susquehannock State Forest, is its majestic skies. The sky above Cherry Springs State Park is one of the darkest on the Eastern Seaboard, making it the best state park in Pennsylvania for stargazing. Learn more on the official website of Cherry Springs State Park.
3. Leonard Harrison State Park
Leonard Harrison State Park Visitor Center or Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, 4797 PA-660, Wellsboro, PA 16901, USA
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Our next stop will give us breathtaking views of one of Pennsylvania's natural wonders. Leonard Harrison State Park - as well as nearby Colton Point State Park - promises sweeping views of Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. One of the best state parks in Pennsylvania, Leonard Harrison State Park offers plenty to do, including hiking, on its nearly five miles of trails, wildlife watching, fishing, and picnicking. If you're feeling a bit tired, you can set up camp for the evening, too. Find more information on the official website of Leonard Harrison State Park.

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4. Susquehanna State Park
Susquehanna State Park, 2250 Hiawatha Blvd, Williamsport, PA 17701, USA
Google/Charles H.
Ready for our next destination? We're heading to Williamsport and Susquehanna State Park. The tiny 20-acre state park overlooks the river, offering a quiet and relaxing spot to enjoy boating, wildlife watching, and fishing. Stop by the official website of Susquehanna State Park for more information.
5. Bald Eagle State Park
Bald Eagle State Park, 149 Main Park Rd, Howard, PA 16841, USA
Trip Advisor/Mimi010310
Our next stop just might be the perfect place for an overnight, especially if you want something a little more luxurious than camping. Bald Eagle State Park is home to The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, an enchanting hotel that offers sweeping views of the lake and the park. Of course, you can also camp out at the park that features a slew of activities all year around - from hiking and swimming in the summer to ice skating and cross country skiing in the winter. If you're looking for a ton of things to do outside in Pennsylvania, you'll fall head over heels at Bald Eagle State Park. Head over to the official website of Bald Eagle State Park for more.
6. Black Moshannon State Park
Black Moshannon State Park, 4216 Beaver Rd, Philipsburg, PA 16866, USA
Facebook/Black Moshannon State Park
Pack your swimsuit if you're visiting Black Moshannon State Park during the summer. While away the hours lounging on the sandy beach before taking a dip in the cool water. Or, explore some of the 3,394-acre state park that offers such activities as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, and fishing. If you visit in the winter, go snowmobiling, ice skating, or cross-country skiing. Check out the official website of Black Moshannon State Park.
7. Allegheny National Forest
Allegheny National Forest, Marienville, PA 16239, USA
Trip Advisor/Kim H.
Alas, we've arrived at our final stop, Allegheny National Forest, after a journey of 287 miles during our weekend trip in Pennsylvania. The forest isn't a state park, but it's a Pennsylvania gem and the perfect way to end an epic road trip. Spend the night at one of the forest's 15 campgrounds, or just enjoy a day of exploration. The more than half a million acre state park offers hiking, biking, and horse trails, geocaching, fishing, and boating. If you're on the hunt for an abundance of things to do outside in Pennsylvania, you've come to the right place. Head over to the official website of Allegheny National Forest for a full list of amenities.

What are your favorite state parks to visit in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! Then read about these eight lesser-known state parks in Pennsylvania that are definitely worth a visit.

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More to Explore

State Parks To Visit In Pennsylvania

Beth Price-Williams | February 05, 2022

What are some prime destinations for a weekend trip in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is, hands down, one of the best places for a road trip. If you’re looking for the perfect weekend trip in Pennsylvania, look no further than our large cities, small towns, and tiny villages. The small town of Renovo, the most remote town in Pennsylvania, offers peace and quiet while Gettysburg is ideal if you’re a fan of history or you want to experience the paranormal. (Did you know Gettysburg is considered one of the most haunted cities in the nation?) Indulge in chocolate and thrills in Hershey, and stroll back in time with a visit to Lancaster.

What are the best state parks in Pennsylvania?

Best is certainly an objective term, especially when it comes to Pennsylvania’s 120 state parks. If you love waterfalls, you’ll find that one of the best state parks in Pennsylvania for chasing waterfalls is Ricketts Glen State Park. Follow the Falls Trail to see 21 breathtaking waterfalls. For a waterfall and gorgeous scenery, spend a day at Salt Springs State Park. It’s just as pretty in the winter as it is in the summer. Little Buffalo State Park, Laurel Hill State Park, and Ravensburg State Park are all worth a visit, too.

What are some things I can do outside in Pennsylvania?

Outdoor lovers will likely agree that Pennsylvania is pretty much paradise. After all, there is so much you can do outside in Pennsylvania – from hiking and biking to boating and picnicking. One of the best ways to spend a day outdoors is to explore one of the many gardens, such as Pittsburgh Botanic Garden and Chanticleer Garden, that dot the state. (Many of the public gardens charge an admission fee.) If you’re a fan of animals, spend a day at The Philadelphia Zoo, Lehigh Valley Zoo, or Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Zoos welcome visitors all year around. Wolf Sanctuary in Lititz, on the other hand, offers a close-up look at the resident rescue wolves.

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