Scenic Outdoor Destinations Across Pennsylvania

Presque Isle State Park | Credit: Megs Harrison

Pennsylvania has unique environments ranging from thick, remote forests to surging rivers and flowing waterfalls. Let’s look at some of the top outdoor destinations in Pennsylvania. 

Longwood Gardens | Credit: James Lewis

Allegheny National Forest

Allegheny National Forest spans more than 500,000 acres in Pennsylvania’s northwestern region. Visitors can explore the forest’s lush environment and its most scenic areas by driving along the 36-mile Longhouse National Scenic Byway. Others prefer to hike on the forest’s many trails or boat through on the Allegheny River. 

Allegheny National Forest | Credit: Mathew Schwartz

Cherry Springs State Park

The relatively small Cherry Springs State Park covers around 80 acres in Pennsylvania’s northern region. The park’s remote location makes it one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing, providing clear views of the Milky Way and other space phenomena. For a variety of daytime activities, visit the vast Susquehannock State Forest, which surrounds Cherry Springs State Park.

Cherry Springs State Park | Credit: Tyler Rutherford

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is an expansive nature reserve along the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania border with New Jersey. Convenient to major urban centers such as Philadelphia, many people from New Jersey and Pennsylvania visit this renowned natural area for hiking, camping, and fishing. 

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area | Credit: Mike Ralph

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens, just a one-hour drive from Philadelphia, is one of the world’s leading display gardens and brings millions of visitors every year. This vast indoor and outdoor garden is home to blooming flowers and plant life of all kinds. Boasting a stunning variety of colors across more than 1,000 acres, it takes hours to properly visit the garden’s flower displays, wetlands, and forests.

Longwood Gardens | Credit: Roman Denisenko

Beaver Creek Nature Area

With nearly 850 acres of meadows, woods, lakes, and wetlands, Beaver Creek Nature Area provides the peace and tranquility visitors seek while in the great outdoors. Beaver Creek is a haven for anglers who want to capture some of the resident largemouth bass and bluegill. Also, with more than 150 bird species, bird watching and photography are popular pastimes at Beaver Creek Nature Area.

Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle is a popular 3,200-acre state park located on a peninsula bordered by Lake Erie. The park has a sandy coastline for relaxation, along with great areas for boating, fishing, hiking, and biking. Although Pennsylvania does not typically have standout beaches, Presque Isle State Park is a notable exception.

Presque Isle State Park | Credit: Chuck Derby

Ohiopyle State Park

Ohiopyle State Park is a rugged and scenic place with more than 20,500 acres of protected land to explore. Miles of hiking trails lead to major viewpoints and waterfalls in the park. The main attraction is the Youghiogheny River Gorge, which passes through the park’s landscape. 

Ohiopyle State Park | Credit: Yuhan Du
No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.