The Top 10 Pennsylvania State Parks (2023 edition)

Join us this week as we take a look back at some of my favorite State Parks within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania! In this video we will be talking about some of the best parks PA has to offer, from the history rich Eastern side of the state to the banks of Lake Erie and everything in between. Just a little disclaimer, no I haven't been to each and every state park within the state, this list will focus on the 25 parks I've documented thus far. Every year we will be coming out with a new update to this list as we add to our park totals.

[@tomyost6330]

Thank you much for showing some of the great beauty of one of my two favorite states for outdoors adventure, the other being just north of the border, my home state. I hve traveled extensively throughout the Keystone state, driven on old dirt roads into some of the most beautiful woods areas where you can truly get a sense of solitude, incredible smelling air, and deep woods sounds of wildlife like no other northeastern place. My state offers a lot but there's something about Pennsylvania that is very unique and rural.Peace and enjoy what this great state has to offer. Tom in Syracuse..

[@richardlourens1008]

Great video! I love Cook Forest, Ohiopyle, and Pymatuning. You gave me some other ideas of places to visit. There are a couple Frank Lloyd Wright houses near Ohiopyle people should visit when they are in the area (Falling Water & Kentuck Knob).

[@patriciayohn6136]

Richard lou, great place to stay near Ohiopyle and Falling Water is the Historic Summit Inn open from Spring to Fall located on route 40.

[@patriciayohn6136]

I am disappointed you didn't do Ricketts Glen and Presque Isle, but an interesting one for you to check out would be Cherry Springs State Park (Dark Sky) location.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

These were only the parks I’ve visited

[@patriciayohn6136]

May I suggest you lookup some of the State Parks in Central and Eastern PA. The Commonwealth had a pretty decent website on all of our State Parks. I was serious about Cherry Springs State Park which I believe is in Potter County, it is a World reknown Dark Sky Location and is visited by star gazers from all over the planet, look at their website and the photos posted on there. It isn't really a hiking location but it does have some camp sites and observatories and the Commonwealth has taken every effort to insure that there is no intrusive ambiant lighting. I am too old now to visit there, but have encouraged my Daughter to take her children there. Also there are some great Eastern PA State Parks, I believe that there is one called Singing Rocks, take a hammer with you. In the Eastern part of PA there are glacial lakes and parks that were formed at the end of the last ice age. I live in Lancaster County, but also have some land in Eagles Mere, Sullivan County. The entire State of Pennsylvania is absolutely stunning. From what I have read the Appalachian Mountians at one time during the end of the last ice age the tallest mountains on Earth, but subjected to more weathering than more newly formed mountains. I really enjoyed your video and believe that you owe it to yourself to explore more State Parks in PA. If there are still any (since COVID) Pa caverns open there are some different types of caverns in PA as well, if Lost River Caverns in Bucks County, I believe, that cavern has features not found anywhere else in North America. It is a smaller cavern with as I recall star shaped stalagtites that actually glitter in light. Keep up your good work and happy travels.

[@StillGoingFar]

Fantastic video, Bill! I definetly agree with McConnell's Mill being in the top 5. World's End is defintely on my "to visit" list. My family and I are planning a trip to Pymatuning in August (we have visited many times before). Cook Forest and Ohiopyle as one and two?! Absolutely! Your list is spot on and this video will inspire many to get out and enjoy our Commonwealth's best State Parks. Thanks again!

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thank you and I had a lot of fun making this list, really can’t wait until I get a few more parks covered by this time next year to do an updated one, but yah it’s going to be tough to top the top 3! Would be fun to do a collab video sometime in the future if your interested!

[@StillGoingFar]

@@MaksimOutdoors I would absolutely love to collab sometime. I live really close to Jennings Environmental Education Center and Maurice K. Goddard State Park if you'd want to do a day there and check another state park off your list!

[@MaksimOutdoors]

@@StillGoingFar I was actually thinking about doing Goddard here soon that would be awesome!

[@Peanutbear879]

Pymatunning is my favorite place ever to go!❤

[@savitaupadhye8075]

😊

[@donnadelrey6744]

The best time to hike @ the PA Grand Canyon is foliage season in early fall. Take this from someone that lived in Wellsboro.

[@verdashirk9819]

I really enjoyed this video. I have visited about 40 state parks, some that were on your list. I was expecting Rickett’s Glen to be #1.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Still haven’t made it to Ricketts but I’d imagine when I do get there it’ll crack the top ten! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment verda

[@verdashirk9819]

@@MaksimOutdoors I am sure you will enjoy Rickey’s Glen. It’s a beautiful hike!

[@MaksimOutdoors]

@@verdashirk9819 can’t wait to see it!

[@LoveMtDulcimerMusic]

Thanks for these videos of PA State Parks. I hope you get a chance to check out the beautiful trails to the waterfalls in Rickett’s Glen State Park.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thank you for the support by leaving a comment! Looking forward to redoing this list next year as well as seeing Ricketts Glen.

[@travelingRonman]

I'll be heading out to western PA this week. Have Kinzua Bridge and Oil Creek on my itinerary. Looking forward to seeing a part of the state I've not visited. Great video!

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Both are great parks, make sure you hike down to the bottom of the bridge the views from down below are incredible. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment man!

[@suebrand4606]

Great job! I’m ready for spring.

[@walkandtravels2179]

What a great and amazing video..wonderful place to explore.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thank you

[@rickgigliotti4070]

Some Western PA love

[@MaksimOutdoors]

It’s my home!

[@dalereed658]

My wife and I completed all 124 state parks. We finished 120 from 2102-2015. We knocked off the 3 newest ones, and finished at big elk creek just a month ago. Great video, good luck with your journey. There are no wrong lists it’s off your experience. I went to presque isle and it was so foggy, didn’t really see anything, lol. My number #1 is rickets glen, we hike the falls trail about every other year and plan to continue going back as long as we’re able.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

That is quite a feat! Congrats on your journey, funny you say that I’m actually headed to Ricketts Glen for the first time ever tomorrow morning! I’m sure I’ll be updating this list after visiting there, thanks for the great comment Dale.

[@dalereed658]

@@MaksimOutdoors That’s awesome, Enjoy

[@CraigKoppel]

Cool. Thanks for sharing. It def gave me some ideas of what parks I want to check off my bucket list. 👍

[@MaksimOutdoors]

No problem! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Craig!

[@debbiehills2928]

❤I love your picks And been to most of those state parks. Keep on hiking.❤😊❤

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thanks so much for stopping by Debbie! It was a tough one to make that’s for sure, I’m looking forward to updating this list every year. Once again thanks for stopping by!

[@brucesheehe6305]

Poe Paddy, Poe Valley, and Penn Roosevelt are crown jewels - just off the beaten path. Check them out! You need to travel on gravel state forest roads to get to them.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thank you, hope to get to them this fall!

[@vincehalin2243]

Hello,what a beautiful place to have a food show.i hope u really enjoy ur time there cooking ..ill be tuned in..glad ur back.

[@user-yk9xx1xo2q]

Well done video. Jefferson County native so basically raised in Cook Forest. Thanks for sharing; you are spot on with your rankings.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thank you, I definitely had some parks that didn't make the list simply due to me never seeing them such as Ricketts Glen but I most likely will be updating this list in the near future, thanks for the kind comment

[@hikingoutdoorfamily]

Well done. I've heard of so many of these parks but haven't been to them yet since I'm on the other side of the states. One beautiful park after another!

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thank you! Looking forward to doing more park out in the eastern side of the state here soon, also looking forward to updating the list next year!

[@Victorymadelin]

great video, we love Pennsylvania state parks. Pennsylvania is amazing all arround

[@DanaBlack]

World's End was my local park growing up that we went to every weekend. Cabins were fun as kids too. Can't wait for leaves to be on the trees to get down there this summer. I prefer it to Ricketts even though I thought Lake Jean there was "the beach" when i was a kid.

[@patriciayohn6136]

You want to see beaches go to Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie, the water is quite warm as Lake Erie is the shallowest Great Lake.

[@sonplusone7059]

Hi, I hope your doing well. I loved your first top 10 Pennsylvania State Parks. You do a great job with your videos. See ya next time 🤗

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Doing excellent! Great to hear from you and thank you for the comment!

[@mikef2571]

Great video! I'm not from Pennsylvania and haven't hiked in any of these parks. I have watched your videos, and based on what I've seen and what the parks have to offer, my top 5 based on your top #'s would be: 2, 5, 7, 6, & 1. I love waterfalls, white water rafting & ruins. Again Great video. I'm looking forward to more.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thanks Mike always appreciate the comments, it was extremely tough to choose the top 5 I had to sit around and seriously think about it for longer than I’d like to admit lol, what state are you from?

[@mikef2571]

@@MaksimOutdoors I'm currently living in the desert in Arizona with a 2nd home in South West Oklahoma. I don't see much water on my hikes in Arizona.

[@FollowThomas]

Great list of Pennsylvania state parks. I just rode the GAP trail through Pennsylvania. I liked it so much that wanna explore more the state of Pennsylvania and your list of state parks is helpful.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

The GAP has been on my bucket list for a few years now, would love to do it here in the next few years I just need a bike first lol. Glad you enjoyed the list!

[@lennaneff2556]

Love the videos. I am a lifelong PA resident (64 years) and have been fortunate enough to have visited a lot of the state parks. But Cook Forest is also my favorite. I love staying in the cabins there, my favorite river to kayak, favorite trails (of all abilities), wonderful views and great food call us there a couple times every year.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! As you already know I can’t agree more, Cook Forest is just a magical spot to explore.

[@laagangkatabang]

You really have a great adventures video footage, massive likes. The best sceneries and good ambiance. Perfect location for sightseeing and hiking. Omg its a snake on the trail.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@laagangkatabang]

@@MaksimOutdoors always welcome to my channel too

[@ATJHTRAVELS]

Splendid sledgehammered that like button sharing out full watch stay safe and blessed

[@Glyde_pa]

Great video Bill! In my opinion it might be one of your best yet! Looking forward to your next iteration. A bottom 10 would be a great idea, i already have an idea which one would be #1 worst state park at this point lol. Have you thought about an AT series? Those trails have some of the best sights to see in the state in my opinion.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Thanks Joe that means a lot, put a lot of work into this one, I’ll have another top ten list coming out in a few weeks. As for the bottom list that’s a possibility, the AT would be a blast to do one day.

[@crissycroissette4508]

Cook Forest is my favorite also. My husband and I went there for our Honeymoon in August of 2021 and fell in love with the place. This August we went back and rented a cabin....absolutely loved it. We can't wait to go back....

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Something about that area is just special it’s hard to put it into words! Thanks for leaving me a comment!

[@WALTERZOLNA]

Great video concept! Your speaking my language with this kind of list. Excellent narration, felt like watching a promotional video for the state park system. Cook Forest will be hard to top. I was wondering what kind of camera do you use?

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Always good to hear from you Walter, I look at you like you’re my twin from the other side of the state lol. Agreed Cook Forest is just amazing, really looking forward to doing Ricketts Glen one of these days (really enjoyed your video there) as for camera equipment I’m primarily a GoPro guy. Stay safe out there buddy.

[@WALTERZOLNA]

@@MaksimOutdoors I seen that the video was being shown in 50 fps and I didnt think that's a setting for go pro. As a creator I take note of these kinds of things lol. I found the look of the video interesting that's why I was curious.

[@benjirawson]

Man, you know a lot about State Parks. Great video man.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Appreciate the comment, I hope you enjoyed!

[@dennisfillhart88]

I have four favorite parks in your top ten. Good review as usual.👍 Just an idea... To easily find these wonderful locations on a map maybe put in a corner of the video an outline of the state and a highlight of or an arrow to the county's location.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

What’s your number one? Good idea I’ll have to implement that in next years edition. Thanks for stopping by!

[@dennisfillhart88]

@@MaksimOutdoors I have other parks that beat out this but on this list, it is Oil Creek State Park because in an hour from home, it has everything I can do in one day... Biking, Hiking, a large creek, history throughout, a really interesting graveyard, an oil museum, a train ride, and if I really want to stay overnight there is a Caboose Motel next to the park in Titusville.

[@bobsmith4185]

Ole bull chapman and clear creak are my favorites

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Ill have to check them out!

[@teddyroberts308]

You forgot Rickets-Glenn State Park in Eastern Pennsylvania. It's absolutely beautiful.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

These are just the parks I’ve explored, haven’t made it there yet

[@teddyroberts308]

@@MaksimOutdoors Oh I see. In that case, I highly recommend it.

[@deniseroberts7481]

Please don't forget about the smaller state parks they're just as beautiful ❤️

[@patriciayohn6136]

I can't believe you didn't do Ricketts Glen when you were at World's End. Cherry Springs State Park for star gazing!

[@patriciayohn6136]

Edit: I forgot to mention I own some land in Sullivan County, but I live in Lancaster County.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Only have so much time at the end of the day, but I did recently visit Ricketts a few months ago so I need to redo this list here within the year.

[@tedlieb4928]

Sinamahoening and Cook Forest parks are great picks. Luvm all..

[@Fredd1lb]

I’m not saying its the best, but French Creek is really good especially considering how close it is to the most populated part of the state. Great hiking, camping, fishing and history, it’s attached to the Hopewell Furnace National Park.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

I’ve definitely heard of it and will be visiting there one day, thanks for stopping by Fred!

[@donnadelrey6744]

I’ve been to French Creek sooooo many times. I adore it

[@susansiford6451]

Just finished a two week stay at Cook Forest as a campground host. Such a beautiful park.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Wish I would’ve known that !

[@pamelamckenney8216]

My Favorite is Mt Pisque

[@MaksimOutdoors]

On my list of places to go here soon!

[@deborahgibson9039]

Thanks for this video! I have only been to a few of them, but the others look beautiful as well! Jus a bit of advice though. Ducks should not be fed bread or crackers. The best for their health is veggies. Take along a frozen bag of peas or corn if you intend to feed wildlife. They love it!

[@annamills1445]

Cooks forest my fav

[@t4876755]

How about Rickett's Glenn State Park? I heard good things about it but never visited. Does anyone know if this is a top state park?

[@TheMxboy199]

Wow laurel hill isn’t even on the list? Missing out big time my guy. Laurel hill state park is a huge sleeper

[@camping_milkman]

Hard decisions, great choices… fantastic topic!!!!

[@jeffreyrhine1956]

Liked most of your choices but Pymtuming was our least favorite parks that we stayed at.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

It was my first state park that I ever visited and probably have the most time spent there so it holds a close spot to my heart but I can understand your opinion

[@jeffreyrhine1956]

@MaksimOutdoors Maybe it was just a bad time to be there our site was flooded and we had to be moved, and the mosquitoes were horrible. So I guess that lead to not a great experience.

[@kingjellybean9795]

Why no Ricketts?

[@sandrapainter8993]

I wish you would have saved many of us time and specified that none of them are in Eastern PA. All of them are too far.

[@mountainsintomemories]

It’s a good list! There’s times I get a bit down on the PA state park system, but maybe it’s because we’re not going to the right places. I’ve only been to 2 or 3 on your list. I’m all for more videos like this one to point me in the right direction!