Camping

Explore

Planning Your Trip

What type of camping do you prefer? Four state parks offer backpacking; three state parks offer tent camping only; most campgrounds offer camping for most types of camping equipment. All campsites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Some campgrounds have electric hookups and showers, while some are rustic. Some campgrounds have walk-in sites to give more privacy. Explore the List of Camping Facilities to help you pick the state park campground that is perfect for you.

Most campsites are available through advance reservations. Although not required, reservations are recommended.

Because most campsites are available for reservation, it is important to plan the length of your vacation. On your departure date, you will have the option to lengthen your stay if another party has not reserved your campsite. If someone else has reserved the site, you will have to move to another campsite, or if the campground is full you will have to depart as originally planned.

Camping Seasons

Campgrounds are open seasonally. Call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757) for operating seasons and facility availablility for specific state parks.

Four parks offer year-round backpack camping opportunities: Laurel Ridge, Moraine, Oil Creek and Raccoon Creek state parks.

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day is the busy time for most campgrounds and coincides with the operation of most swimming areas and seasonal educational programs. These activities greatly enhance the camping experience.

Reserving a Site

Most campsites in Pennsylvania state parks can be reserved 11 months in advance to noon of the day of arrival. Campers without a reservation arriving after noon should check at the contact station or near the campground entrance for instructions.

Reservations can be made using MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover credit cards or personal, traveler’s and cashier’s checks. To receive a confirmed reservation, full payment must be received by the Bureau within ten days of making the reservation.

Make online reservations or call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5?p.m. except on the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.. holidays.

Campsite Issuing

Advance reservations are available for almost all campsites. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If an employee is not available, read posted instructions and check the "reserved campsite list," then proceed to an available site and set up.

The appropriate fee must be paid to a park employee or deposited in a supplied honor system envelope before setting up on a campsite.

Cancellations and Transfers

Changes to an online reservation must be made by calling the Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation Center at 888-PA-PARKS, Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Cancellations can be handled via the Internet under “My Account” or by calling the call center. Cancellations made up to the close of business seven days prior to your scheduled arrival date will incur a $10 cancellation fee. If you cancel six days or less prior to the arrival date, you will forfeit the first night’s fee or $75, whichever is the lesser amount. There is a $10 fee assessed for all changes made to your reservation, except adding nights to the reservation. Changes to a reservation can be made at the call center, but not via the Internet. Any cancellation or change on the day of arrival must be made through the state park that you have the reservation with.

Discounts

People with a disability can receive a $4.50 discount from the base campsite price upon request.

Senior citizens, 62 years of age or older, can receive a discount on the base campsite fee at a Pennsylvania state park by showing proof of age. Explore Reduced Campsite Price for Seniors for more information.

Camping Unit Storage Locations

Motor homes, trailers and pop-ups can be stored at selected state parks for a fee.

Year-round

• Little Pine
• Ole Bull
• Promised Land

Seasonal

• Chapman
• Gifford Pinchot
• Parker Dam
• Pine Grove Furnace
• Prince Gallitzin
• Pymatuning
• Shawnee

Campground Hosts

Get free camping by volunteering as a campground host.

Rules and Regulations

• Campers may stay in a state park campground for up to 14 consecutive nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the remainder of the year you may camp for 21 consecutive days at selected campgrounds. After camping the maximum limit, camping equipment must be removed and not returned for 48 hours.
• Site occupancy is limited to one family unit (persons living under one household) or one non-family unit limited to five persons per site, including one responsible individual 18 years of age or older.
• For campsites, check-in time is 3 p.m. on the first day of the rental period. Check-out time is 3 p.m. on the final day.
• For camping cottages and yurts, check-in time is 3 p.m. of the first day of the rental period. Check-out time is 10 a.m. on the final day.
• Pets are permitted at certain campgrounds on designated sites for a fee. Pets are only dogs, cats and caged animals (such as birds and hamsters). No more than two non-caged pets are allowed to stay on any one campsite. Please request a full set of pet rules when making a camping reservation.
• Visitors are permitted from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. You cannot disturb the sleep of others between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Pennsylvania state parks.
• Fires are only permitted in fire rings and grills and must be extinguished when unattended.
• Firewood may contain non-native insects and plant diseases. Bringing firewood into the park from other areas may accidentally spread pest insects and diseases that threaten park resources and the health of our forests. Campers should use local firewood. Do not take wood home and do not leave firewood - Burn It!
• Handwashing and dishwashing are permitted only where appropriate facilities are available. Hand-washing and dishwashing are prohibited at water spigots, hand pumps, springs, lakes and streams.

Access for People with Disabilities

Many campgrounds meet the new ADA standards. Most campgrounds have campsites that offer significant accessibility, but do not comply with ADA standards. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Where to Camp

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

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.

Where to Camp. . .To Hike

These parks have over 30 miles of hiking trails.

Walled Tents and Camping Cottages

Don't feel like hauling your RV or pitching your tent?

Walled tents are built on platforms and sleep six people. These pre-pitched tents have electricity, dining canopy, mattresses, picnic table and fire ring.

Camping cottages have wooden walls and floors, windows, electric lights and outlets, and a porch. The cottage sleeps five people in a single bunk and a single/double bunk. Camping cottages may or may not be within the campground. Restrooms and showers are nearby.

List of Camping Facilities

Select the region below to go to a graph of the parks in that region. If you can't use the map, use the text links below.

Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region   -   Northeast Pennsylvania Mountains
Pittsburgh and Its Countryside   -   Philadelphia and the Countryside
Pennsylvania Wilds   -   The Alleghenies and Her Valleys
Dutch Country Roads

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

Back to Find Some Fun