Top 10 National Parks in Pennsylvania, United States

July 16, 2021 Tonie Szymanski

Discover the best top things to do in Pennsylvania, United States including Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational Area, Allegheny National Forest, Independence National Historical Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Johnstown Flood National Memorial, The Eternal Light Peace Memorial, Friendship Hill National Historic Site, Allegheny Landing.
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1. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

River Rd, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18302 +1 570-426-2452 http://www.nps.gov/dewa/index.htm
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 408 reviews

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

This 70,000-acre park is named for the point at which the Delaware River cuts through Kittatinny Mountain.

Reviewed By devilish_patsy - Mount Laurel, United States

Delaware Water Gap  On our adventure, we were on our way to Dingman's Ferry when we saw this back road.  We decided to take it and it went along by the river in the Gap.  20 miles of 15 miles an hour on a rural road.  We found treasure upon treasure for picture taking.  It was just us and nature.   Couldnt have asked for a more perfect ending to our day

2. Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational Area

Rr 2 Box 2428, Beach Lake, PA +1 570-685-4871 http://www.nps.gov/upde/index.htm
Excellent
57%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational Area

The Delaware River runs along the border between New York and Pennsylvania.

Reviewed By 24MJ2001 - Ashtead, United Kingdom

This is definitely one of the best scenic drives around NY. We spent a whole day exploring the area and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s about 2 hrs from NY to Port Jervis, the southern most point of the scenic byway. Only downside is not a lot of parking areas along the drive to absorb the scenery.

3. Allegheny National Forest

Smokey Ln Off State Route 66, PA http://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny
Excellent
60%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 77 reviews

Allegheny National Forest

Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, this forest has over 500,000-acres, is easily accessable and offers plenty of recreational activities.

Reviewed By hopalongrving - Mississippi, United States

Boondocking was a breeze in this NF, plenty of pull off spots and they allow for parking in large parking lots as well. We double checked with the ranger stations and got the same answer from all rangers "park anywhere you want that is safe and not in the way of traffic." There are some park areas that have designated times (such as Kinzua Beach) which have gates that close after dark. At Red Bridge Recreation Area you can parking in the car parking area for $5 a night. Willow Bay CG We went to this park for a one night stay on a whim. Thankfully they have a staff member in the entrance booth until 9pm so they were able to quickly tell us if there was an available site. Our site was a grassy covered raised area. They have central water to fill tanks and a dump station at the entrance of the park. Don’t forget to show your access pass for a 50% discount. They had cute one room cabins for rent – though we didn’t go in them the people we talked to said they were well worth the money. There is a small creek that runs behind some of the sites – it was fun to explore and skip rocks. Check out our review of: Kinzua Beach Willow bay Campground RimRock overlook Kinzua Dam

4. Independence National Historical Park

143 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2818 +1 215-965-2305 http://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,953 reviews

Independence National Historical Park

One of the most famous square miles in the United States, the park is home to the Liberty Bell, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Independence Hall.

Reviewed By 907blaked - Tampa, United States

Our day 1 involved an afternoon visit to the National Constitution Center and to the Christ Church Burial Grounds to see Ben Franklin's grave. Our day 2 was a Sunday in November: Breakfast at Colombe Coffee Roasters; Liberty Bell (right when it opened at 9am); Independence Hall 10:20am tour (tickets reserved in advance, picked up at visitors center at 8:30am); Supreme Court Chamber in Old City Hall; American Philosophical Society Museum; West Wing; Congress Hall tour; Benjamin Franklin Museum; Franklin Court Printing Office; Lunch at National Mechanics; and Museum of the American Revolution.

5. Valley Forge National Historical Park

1400 N Outer Line Drive, Valley Forge, PA 19406-1000 +1 610-783-1099 [email protected] http://www.nps.gov/vafo
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,410 reviews

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park, one of more than 400 national parks managed by the National Park Service, is a 3,452 acre national park located approximately 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Valley Forge National Historical Park is nationally significant as the location of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington. Few places evoke the spirit of patriotism and independence, represent individual and collective sacrifice, or demonstrate the resolve, tenacity and determination of the people of the United States to be free as does Valley Forge. The historic landscapes, structures, objects, and archeological and natural resources at Valley Forge are tangible links to one of the most defining events in our nation’s history Here the Continental Army under Washington's leadership emerged as a cohesive and disciplined fighting force.

Reviewed By 349josephd - Berwyn, United States

This park has a myriad of available activities from the museum to visitors center, historic reenactments, trout fishing and historical landmarks including George Washington's headquarters. Miles of hiking and biking trails, sledding in the winter, fishing in the summer and a huge Deer population. Other highlights include the Arch and Carillon tower.

6. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

2 Mark Bird Ln, Elverson, PA 19520-9535 +1 610-582-8773 http://www.nps.gov/hofu/index.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 176 reviews

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Reviewed By Outdoorgal5 - Nashville, United States

I'm from Tennessee and while we have old furnaces I never gave it much thought until my visit to Pennsylvania today on the back road with my friend. She took me to Hopewell National Historic Site what an interesting story as told by the enthusiastic Park Ranger Mary Z. You can how much she loves that place bc she brought the hard labored process to life. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, learning of the hard-working, hearts of America, men and women, black and white, side-by-side working towards a common goal, who forged the Iron and Steel industry. Make sure u watch the short film, very nice.

7. Johnstown Flood National Memorial

733 Lake Rd, South Fork, PA 15956-3602 +1 814-495-4643 http://www.nps.gov/jofl
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 204 reviews

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Reviewed By bcrannell - Philadelphia, United States

This is a destination I've always wanted to visit, and I'm happy I finally did! The visitor center is the first place to explore, offering an incredible amount of information regarding the tragedy of 1889. There are an array of trails and historical buildings to see, and we explored them all. The NPS always delivers, and this is no exception!

8. The Eternal Light Peace Memorial

Oak Hill Off of Mummasburg Road, Gettysburg, Gettysburg, PA 17325 http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 170 reviews

The Eternal Light Peace Memorial

I live in the Gettysburg area and really enjoy The Eternal Light Peace Memorial off of Mummasburg Road. We used to go there in the evening when I was growing up and was a favorite stopping place. It was commemorated in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The flame is always on, although there was a period of time when it was not.

Reviewed By lisaross79 - Lawrenceville, United States

Truly a monument that our nation should be reflecting on these days. Our entire experience visiting Gettysburg was wonderful and truly overwhelming. So rich in history and many feels on the hallowed ground. #Trump2020

9. Friendship Hill National Historic Site

223 New Geneva Rd, Point Marion, PA 15474-1353 +1 724-725-9190 http://www.nps.gov/frhi/index.htm
Excellent
44%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 79 reviews

Friendship Hill National Historic Site

Reviewed By tandhgoraj - Swedesboro, United States

This is a return visit for us after 15 years. We visited on a rainy morning and coupled the trip a visit to the area. This is off the beaten path and through many small back roads, but well worth the trip! We had the ranger to ourselves for the first part of our visit. He gave us great background information and told us what we would find in each section of the property. After his orientation and patience with my million questions, we watched a couple of short videos about the owner of the house and the time he lived. This house and property, while in the process of being preserved, was a great representation of multiple time periods. After our tour of the house, I visited the gift shop where we met another ranger. After realizing I am a teacher, she gave me a wealth of resources for my classroom and the Junior Ranger program. She explained that this site has a much lower visitation number than even Fort Necessity only 20 miles away. That’s unfortunate considering how important the information and man behind this site is to the history of our country. Aside from the house tour the property is huge. There are many places to walk and enjoy well grown and huge trees on big area of grass. It’s a great place for a family picnic!

10. Allegheny Landing

Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

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