Pine Grove Furnace State Park                                          Cumberland County                           

Canoe Creek State Park                     Hollidaysburg, Blair County

 

This is a beautiful park surrounding a 155-acre lake, 12 miles east of Altoona. A great spot for fishing, swimming, hiking, biking and boating. There are also dcabins available for renting, nature programs, winter sports, and hunting.

contact:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 814-695-6807

address:  R.R. 2, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

website: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/canoecreek

Whipple Dam State Park                      Petersburg, Huntingdon County

 

For a change of scenery on a hot summer day, head just 12 miles south of State College.  At Whipple Dam, you can hang out on the beach; swim in the lake; rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboat; fish for trout; enjoy a picnic; or chase after elusive salamanders.

This park is easy to find by turning east off of PA 26 at the Whipple Dam State Park sign in Pine Grove Mills.

contact:   814-667-1800 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

address:  Whipple Dam State Park, Petersburg, PA  16669

website:  http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/whippledam.aspx

Bald Eagle State Park                                               Howard, Centre County

I've lived in Centre County for over 20 years, and I cannot believe I just made it to Bald Eagle State Park for the first time last weekend.  I will definitely go back. The lake and mountain setting is so picturesque, and truly representative of the beauty of Pennsylvania!   So much to do...

Prince Gallitzin State Park                                                  Patton, Cambria County

Yea, I never heard of it either. But apparently, 1.5 million people visit this Pennsylvania State Park every year. Why? Cross Country Skiing, snow mobiling, Ice Fishing, Ice Boating, Boating, Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Biking and swimming! Plus they have modern cabins for rent all year long.

The 7,335-acre Prince Gallitzin State Park is in the scenic Allegheny Plateau Region of Pennsylvania.  The major attractions to the park are the 1,635-acre Glendale Lake with 26 miles of shoreline and the large campground.

Archbald Pothole State Park                        Dalton, Lackawanna County

Ok, this is pretty cool and I really want to go see it. 

Archbald Pothole State Park is a 150-acre park in northeastern Pennsylvania. The park is named for Archbald Pothole, a geologic feature that formed during the Wisconsin Glacial Period, around 15,000 years ago.  And get this, it would take 35 fire truck tankers to fill the pothole. WOW!

The pothole is 38 feet deep and has an elliptical shape. The diameter of the pothole decreases downward. The largest diameter is 42 feet by 24 feet. At the bottom it is 17 feet by 14 feet. The pothole has a volume of about 18,600 cubic feet, so could hold about 140,000 gallons.

Valley Forge State Park                                          King of Prussia, Montgomery County

Without a doubt, Valley Forge State Park is a Must on the "Things to See and Do list". Beautiful, historic, entertaining. Really, there is something for everyone, not just the kiddos.  Valley Forge National Historical Park commemorates more than the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation; it honors the ability of citizens and their leaders to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.

 

Salt Springs State Park                                      Montrose, Susquehanna County

Salt Springs is the treasure of the Endless Mountains. Taking its name from a historic artesian well of naturally salty water, this unpretentious destination offers the peace and beauty of streams and woodlands combined with the convenience of trails, historic farm buildings, cottages, camping, picnic grounds, open space and meeting facilities. Salt Springs is open to the public year-round, without charge, from sunrise to sunset.

The park offers a gorge with three magnificent waterfalls surrounded by a virgin hemlock forest and trails winding through 842 acres. At the base of the gorge is a bubbling salt spring, traces of an 1850s woolen mill, and mid-19th century farmhouses and barns.

Black Moshanon State Park                                           Phillipsburg, Centre County

The Black Moshannon State Park features the Black Moshannon Bog Natural Area. Trails and a boardwalk help people explore the birds and plants of the bog and surrounding forests.  Heading to Black Moshanon during the summer? Get a campsite, swim at sandy beach, hike, bike. . oh and don't forget your boat!

Delaware Canal State Park                    Easton to New Hope to Bristol, Bucks County

It amazes me that not many people know about this park. This place is a Registered National Historic Landmark! Get on bikes, pack a lunch ride along the towpath. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but there is so much history associated with the canal. The Delaware Canal is the only remaining continuously intact canal of the great towpath canal building era of the early and mid-19th century.