Pennsylvania Vacation Ideas
Pennsylvania's natural beauty is some of the most accessible in the United States.
This Commonwealth has 117 state parks, more than 7,000 family campsites, 56 major recreational lakes, and more than 1,000 miles of trails.
Pennsylvania's 4.5 million acres of public lands include some of the finest woodlands and natural areas in America.
Never more than 15 minutes away from one of their state parks, state forests, or game lands it is easy to see why Pennsylvania's state parks draw more than 37 million visitors each year.
Often mountainous and filled with a multitude of creatures, plants, and natural wonders, more than 60 percent of Pennsylvania is covered by forest.
Hiking
They have every type of trail you need to take a pleasant walk in the woods, or hike through rugged terrain.
A more recent development throughout Pennsylvania has been the 800+ miles of rail trails. Pennsylvania is a leader in developing former railroad tracks into user-friendly hiking venues.
At night Pennsylvania is a great place to teach yourself and the children about the planets and the night sky.
One of my favorite things to do is look for constellations and for just a few dollars you can pick up a star finder. It's not hard to do and it is a lifetime of knowledge and fun for everyone.
Rock Climbing
Pennsylvania is a great state for east coast rock climbers to practice their craft. Over one hundred areas, including a few fairly large and exposed cliffs are scattered across the state.
There are many more smaller but extremely high quality cliffs hidden in deep valleys and along Pennsylvania's many rivers. In higher elevations you'll find exposed parapets protruding from mountain sides and ridgetops that are waiting for you to climb.
Worlds End State Park
Located in a dramatic and mountainous area of the state, where visitors can enjoy sprawling Pennsylvania landscape rushing whitewater and rugged scenery that is irresistible to hikers and backpackers.
Camping, cabins and hiking on the Loyalsock Trail attract many visitors to Worlds End State Park. The scenery is spectacular; its canyon Vista provides outstanding views.
A 70-site tent and trailer campground is an ideal place to set up camp. A small dam on Loyalsock Creek forms a swimming area. The mountain stream water is always cold and exhilarating.
Whitewater boaters may use the Loyalsock Creek at any time of the year. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stock Loyalsock Creek with trout each year and the cold mountain water provides good fishing most of the year.
Other trails of varying length are available within the park. All trails are steep and rocky. Hikers are urged to wear sturdy footgear, stay on marked trails and carry a map and compass.
Two excellent day hike trails are Double Run Nature Trail and the Loyalsock Trail to Alpine Falls.
Ohiopyle State Park
Known locally as "The Yough," the Youghiogheny River is one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the East. Swirling with Class 1 to Class 5 rapids, rafters and kayakers of all levels take the dive.
Camping at Ohiopyle State Park is common and all 226 sites at the state park's campground have a picnic table, fire ring, parking space, and access to a washhouse with hot water and flush toilets.
Delaware Water Gap
The Delaware Water Gap is located where the Delaware River cuts eastward through the Appalachian Mountains. This national recreation area preserves 40 miles of the Delaware and almost 70,000 acres of land along the shore.
The park has facilities for canoeing, hiking, camping, picnicking, biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.
Hidden Lake, Lower Blue Mountain Lake, Flat Brook, Bushkill Creek, and Dingmans Creek are all stocked.
Anglers can catch smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, catfish, and panfish.
The small lakes and ponds in the area are good for catching rock bass, pickerel, catfish, sunfish, and panfish. You will find brook and brown trout in most tributaries and rainbow trout at Van Campens Brook.
Bird Watching
Hundreds of bird species call Pennsylvania home, at least for part of the year.
There are plenty of locations throughout the state where you can go to see birds. Maybe you'll even get lucky and spot a Ruffed Grouse, the state bird.
Caves & Caverns
Pensylvania has eight commercial caves, each with a number of distinctly unusual features.
Some of the more interesting caves in Pennsylvania are Penn's Cave, where visitors take in the sights by boat and the unique catacombs of Laurel Caverns.
There is a lot to see beneath the surface in Pennsylvania.
Wildlife
A hike in any of the 117 state parks is sure to result in at least a few sightings of our furry and feathered friends.
The graceful white-tailed deer, the majestic elk, the peregrine falcon, hundreds of species of birds, bobcats, minks, and river otters all call Pennsylvania home.
A visit to Pennsylvania would be rewarding in so many ways. It's outdoors as well as architecture and history is something to be seen.
Enjoy your vacation!