These are the 10 most popular Pennsylvania state parks

Pennsylvania is home to 121 state parks, spread across the commonwealth’s 67 counties. Think you know which ones cracked the top ten of Pennsylvania’s most visited parks? 

Take a look at this list, based on data from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’s Bureau of State Parks. 

1. Presque Isle State Park, Erie – Home to Pennsylvania’s only seashore, this 3,200-acre state park borders Lake Erie. In 2019, it logged the highest attendance rate of any state park in Pennsylvania with 3,719,182 visitors! 

2. Pymatuning State Park, Jamestown – Coming in at number two is one of the largest state parks in the commonwealth! Pymatuning, located in Mercer County, is a whopping 16,892 acres and is home to the largest lake in the state – Pymatuning Reservoir. In 2019, the park boasted 2,410,245 visitors. 

3. Prince Gallitzin State Park, Patton – Nestled into the forests of Cambria County, Prince Gallitzin is home to Glendale Lake, a favorite among boaters and anglers. In 2019, the park had 2,033,886 visitors. 

4. Point State Park, Pittsburgh –  Not only is Point a state park, it’s a National Historic Monument for its significance during the French and Indian War. The park sits in Pittsburgh’s “golden triangle”-  the meeting place of the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. Last year, Point State Park logged 1,869,602 visitors. 

5. Codorus State Park, Hanover – Just before the Maryland border in southern York County, lies Codorus State Park. Codorus has 26 miles of shoreline on Lake Marburg, and is a great place to see waterfowl and shorebirds. In 2019, Codorus had 1,299,826 visitors. 

6. Nockamixon State Park, Quakertown –  Located in Bucks County, Nockamixon features a lake, similar to four of the top five parks, called Lake Nockamixon. The park is a favorite for Philadelphia residents looking to get away for the day. Last year, the park had 1,252,527 visitors. 

7. Moraine State Park, Portersville – Tucked into northwestern Pennsylvania’s Butler County is Moraine State Park. A lake now resides in the former coal and mineral mines of the area, allowing visitors to boat, fish and swim in the reimagined space. In 2019, the park had 1,203,685 visitors. 

8. Tyler State Park, Newtown –  Also located in Bucks County is Tyler State Park. The park follows the Neshaminy Creek through farm and woodland just 33 miles from Philadelphia. Last year, the park had 1,062,559 visitors. 

9. Ridley Creek State Park, Media – Another park within day-trip-distance of Philadelphia is Ridley Creek State Park. The park is located in neighboring Delaware County. In 2019, Ridley Creek had 976,188 visitors. 

10. Delaware Canal State Park, Upper Black Eddy – One of the smaller state parks in the system, Delaware Canal only occupies 830 acres, split between Bucks and Northamption counties. Here, visitors can take in the area’s rich history while following the towpath of the only remaining, intact canal of the early 19th century.