The Most Popular State Park in Pennsylvania: Ranking the Top Pick
Voting rules: Choose the Park you think is the most popular!
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 7, 2023 09:20)
Welcome to StrawPoll's great Pennsylvania State Park showdown! We're on a quest to find the most popular state park in the Keystone State, and we need your help. From serene forests to cascading waterfalls, Pennsylvania's state parks offer a diverse array of natural beauty and outdoor adventures. Do you have a favorite spot for hiking, picnicking, or wildlife watching? Cast your vote now or suggest a hidden gem that's missing from our list! Together, let's discover and celebrate the best of Pennsylvania's great outdoors. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and make your voice heard in this ultimate ranking of Pennsylvania's most beloved state parks!
What Is the Most Popular State Park in Pennsylvania?
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153votes
Msitler · Public domainWith 13,050 acres of land and 22 waterfalls, Ricketts Glen State Park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing.DescriptionRicketts Glen State Park is a stunning natural oasis located in northeastern Pennsylvania. Known for its incredible waterfalls and diverse wildlife, this park offers visitors a unique and immersive outdoor experience. The park was created to preserve the beauty of the region and provide recreational opportunities for nature enthusiasts.- Location: Benton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
- Size: 13,050 acres
- Miles of Hiking Trails: 26 miles
- Number of Named Waterfalls: 24
- Tallest Waterfall: Ganoga Falls at 94 feet
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246votes
Ruhrfisch · CC BY-SA 3.0Located on Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park is a popular destination for swimming, boating, and kayaking. It also has a number of hiking and biking trails.DescriptionPresque Isle State Park is a popular state park located on a sandy peninsula in Lake Erie, near the city of Erie, Pennsylvania. It encompasses over 3,200 acres of diverse natural habitats, including sandy beaches, marshes, and woodlands. The park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a wide range of recreational activities for visitors of all ages.- Size: Over 3,200 acres
- Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
- Habitats: Sandy beaches, marshes, woodlands
- Activities: Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, biking, picnicking, and more
- Beaches: 13 miles of sandy shoreline
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321votesKnown for its whitewater rapids and beautiful scenery, Ohiopyle State Park is a popular destination for kayaking, rafting, and hiking.DescriptionOhiopyle State Park is a stunning natural area located in southwestern Pennsylvania. It encompasses over 20,500 acres of rugged mountain scenery, verdant forests, and majestic waterfalls. The park is named after the nearby town of Ohiopyle and is known for its exceptional beauty and diverse outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Size: Over 20,500 acres
- Features: Mountainous terrain, forests, waterfalls
- Activities: Hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, fishing
- River: The Youghiogheny River flows through the park
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416votesWith over 8,500 acres of forest, Cook Forest State Park is a popular destination for camping, hiking, and fishing. It is also known for its old-growth forest.DescriptionCook Forest State Park is a beautiful natural retreat located in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It was established in 1927 and covers an area of 8,500 acres. The park is known for its majestic old-growth forest, which features some of the tallest trees in the northeastern United States.
- Location: Cooksburg, Pennsylvania
- Year Established: 1927
- Size: 8,500 acres
- Forest Type: Old-growth forest
- Tree Height: Features some of the tallest trees in the northeastern United States
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58votes
Bonnachoven · CC0Located in the Laurel Highlands, Laurel Hill State Park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and boating. It also has a number of camping options.DescriptionLaurel Hill State Park is a picturesque state park located within the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. It was established in 1945 and covers an area of approximately 4,062 acres. The park is known for its beautiful natural features, including the 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake and the surrounding forested hills and valleys. The park offers various recreational activities and amenities for visitors to enjoy, such as hiking trails, biking trails, fishing opportunities, boat rentals, picnic areas, and a swimming beach. It also features a campground and cabins for overnight accommodations. The park is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.- Size: 4,062 acres
- Lake Size: 63 acres
- Year Established: 1945
- Location: Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
- Recreational Activities: Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming
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615votes
Moraine State Park
Moraine Preservation FundWith its 3,225-acre lake, Moraine State Park is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and swimming. It also has a number of hiking and biking trails.DescriptionMoraine State Park is a popular state park located in Western Pennsylvania, spanning across Butler County and a small portion of Lawrence County. The park was created to provide recreational opportunities for visitors while also protecting the environment and preserving the Moraine, which is a landform formed by glacial ice deposits.- Location: Butler County, Pennsylvania
- Size: 16,725 acres
- Lake: 3,225-acre Lake Arthur
- Trails: Over 28 miles of trails
- Camping: 283 campsites
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76votesKnown for its steep cliffs and beautiful vistas, Worlds End State Park is a popular destination for hiking and camping. It also has a number of waterfalls.DescriptionWorlds End State Park is a picturesque state park located in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. Situated in the Endless Mountains region, it is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities. The park was created to preserve the scenic terrain and provide a place for visitors to connect with nature.
- Location: Sullivan County, Pennsylvania
- Size: 780 acres
- Established: 1932
- Elevation: Approximately 1,600 feet
- Terrain: Mountainous, with rocky cliffs and deep gorges
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86votes
Mtruch · CC BY-SA 3.0With its boulder field and hiking trails, Hickory Run State Park is a popular destination for hiking and camping. It also has a number of swimming holes.DescriptionHickory Run State Park is a popular state park located in Pennsylvania, USA. It spans across Carbon County and is known for its natural beauty and abundant recreational opportunities. The park was created in 1945 to preserve the unique geological features and provide recreational activities for visitors.- Location: Carbon County, Pennsylvania
- Size: 15,990 acres
- Established: 1945
- Geological Features: Boulder Field, Shades of Death Gorge
- Hiking Trails: Over 40 miles of trails
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97votes
Sdwelch1031 · CC BY-SA 3.0With its 7,730 acres of land and water, French Creek State Park is a popular destination for camping, fishing, and hiking. It also has a number of historic sites.DescriptionFrench Creek State Park is a popular state park located in Elverson, Pennsylvania. It covers an area of 7,730 acres and is characterized by forests, rolling hills, and several picturesque lakes and streams. The park was established in 1945 and is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). It offers a wide range of recreational activities and amenities for visitors to enjoy.- Location: Elverson, Pennsylvania
- Area: 7,730 acres
- Established: 1945
- Managed By: Pennsylvania DCNR
- Natural Features: Forests, rolling hills, lakes, streams
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105votes
Bradford Van Arnum (Sunweb52) · CC BY-SA 3.0Known for its 60-mile canal towpath, Delaware Canal State Park is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and boating. It also has a number of historic sites.DescriptionDelaware Canal State Park is a picturesque state park located in southeastern Pennsylvania. The park was established to preserve and promote the historic Delaware Canal, which played a vital role in the transportation of goods during the 19th century. The park stretches along the Delaware River and offers visitors a scenic and tranquil environment to explore and enjoy outdoor activities.- Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Size: Approximately 7,570 acres
- Year Established: 1940
- Main Feature: The 60-mile long Delaware Canal
- Recreational Opportunities: Hiking, biking, fishing, boating
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Ranking factors for popular state park
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Visitor numbersThe total number of visitors that each park receives can be an indicator of its popularity.
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Scenic beautyParks that offer breathtaking views, unique natural features, and landscapes are likely to be more popular.
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Recreational activitiesParks that offer a variety of activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, and boating are more likely to be popular.
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AccessibilityParks that are easily accessible, have ample parking, and are located near major population centers are likely to be more popular.
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FacilitiesParks that offer high-quality amenities such as picnic areas, restrooms, and visitor centers are likely to be more popular.
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ReputationParks that have a positive reputation and are well-publicized by the state or local tourism board are more likely to be popular.
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Reviews/RatingsReviews and ratings from visitors can also give insight into a park's popularity and quality.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular state park in Pennsylvania. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Park is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1553 views
- 183 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Park once every 24 hours. The rank of each Park is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular state park in pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful state parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. With its diverse landscape, from rolling hills to dense forests, Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and adventure seekers alike. Out of the 121 state parks in Pennsylvania, one park stands out as the most popular among visitors. Let's take a closer look at what makes this park so special and why it continues to be a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
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