The best national parks in Pennsylvania- a guide. Pennsylvania is where many cherished national parks of America lie, with UNESCO world heritage sites, tons of natural beauty and amazing history. So with so many top notch national parks in Pennsylvania, keep reading to find the best!

What is a national park?

What exactly is a national park? A national park is an area protected due to its cultural heritage, boasting varied wildlife and beautiful countryside. They are typically known for their stunning landscapes and unique features. The aim of a national park is to preserve the site of natural beauty and benefit from this, without destroying it. The ‘National park service‘ manages 423 national parks across America, in aims of conserving the ‘natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of current and future generations’.

Why visit the national parks in Pennsylvania?

Why visit the national parks in Pennsylvania? The national parks in Pennsylvania have much to offer, from American history to beautiful and unique wildlife. Pennsylvania houses some of the best historic national parks in America, from the very hall where the declaration of independence was signed, to the house in which Edgar Allen Poe wrote his captivating tales. There is something of value to be found in each one of the national parks in Pennsylvania, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

How many national parks in Pennsylvania are there?

Pennsylvania is home to an astounding 19 national parks! There are roughly 9 million annual national park visitors in Pennsylvania who spend $356,706,000 and support 5,497 jobs in the Pennsylvania. So with so many visitors and so many national parks in one state, it can be hard to know which ones to visit. Keep reading as I break down the best national parks in Pennsylvania that are sure to stun you, and are definitely worthy of your time.

The best accommodation when visiting the national parks in Pennsylvania

What are the best accommodations when visiting the national parks in Pennsylvania? Here are the best priced, most convenient and amazingly facilitated accommodations in Pennsylvania.

GoodVibes

GoodVibes is an amazingly located accommodation, just a 6-minute walk from the Edgar Allen Poe national park and a mile from Independence Hall. It lays in the heart of the city centre, just a short walk from Chinatown, with amazing restaurants and shops surrounding the accommodation. The interiors are beautifully furnished with a relaxed vibe. Click here to find out more.

Renaissance Allentown Hotel

The Renaissance Allentown Hotel is a charming accommodation located just 0.6 miles from Steamtown national park. With its central location it has great surroundings with multiple restaurants and cafes nearby. The hotel is perfect for a getaway with its beautiful and cosy interior, housing its own 24-hour help desk, restaurant and bar. There is free WI-FI on site, as well as a fitness centre, and all rooms have a beautiful city view. Click here to find out more.

Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City

Hilton garden is a lovely place to stay whilst in Philidelphia. It’s Located just a 15-minute walk from Independence Hall and many other landmarks featuring the national Liberty Musuem and Philidelphia hall. The interiors boast comfort and class, with amazing facilities that ensure your stay is well worth the wait. With a bar, restaurant on site as well as being surrounded by great eateries, there’s plenty of choice for food. Click here to find out more.

Element Valley Forge

Element Valley Forge is a great accommodation, just an 8-minute drive from Valley forge. This hotel is in a central location, surrounded by eateries and great city spots, from Whitegate Park to Justus barber meadow. There is an indoor swimming pool to enjoy, which is great for visits all year round. With great faculties, comfort and convenience, it’s an all-round great accommodation for visiting the national parks in Pennsylvania. Click here to find out more.

Essential packing list when visiting the national parks in Pennsylvania

Visiting the national parks in Pennsylvania is no small feat. So where to start with a packing list? Making sure you have the essentials is crucial before setting off, to ensure you are fully equipped for the best visit possible.

1.5 litre water bottle

Having a large capacity water bottle is always good for travelling at any time. But with Pennsylvania’s hot summer climate, it’s definitely an essential for spending the day out in the hotter months. Stay hydrated with the JIMARCO 1.5 litre water bottle.

Pennsylvania park guide and journal

The Pennsylvania park guide and journal is perfect for keeping log of the parks you visit. As well as being an amazing guide on how to navigate the parks, it also allows you to journal your visits to keep those memories and thoughts forever, truly making your visit personal and unique with the perfect take home memorabilia. Click here to find out more.

Travel first aid kit

A travel first aid kit is an essential for a visit to the national parks in Pennsylvania. The Lewis-plast first aid kit is easy to pack and stores all important first aid equipment in case of a small accident whilst out. It’s also handy to keep a bug spray in this kit, to prevent from mosquito bites. The Incognito bug spray is great for protection, lasting up to 7 hours and made from natural materials.

Bum bag

Bum bags are great for hikes, making it possible to hold all the little things without the weight of a huge backpack. The Eono bum bag is made for great comfort with its adjustable strap and durability, making it perfect for all weather with its water proof material.

The best national parks in Pennsylvania

So what are the best national parks to be found in Pennsylvania? With such a range and diversity in the large selection of national parks, it builds up the question: what is the best of the best? Well do no more searching, because here I have a selection of the best national parks in Pennsylvania. From Americas forgotten founding fathers, to the old steam works of Pennsylvania, find it all here.

Edgar Allen Poe national park

Situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, lies the 6 year home of Edgar Allen Poe, renowned for his dark and intriguing tales and poetry collections. The site of the park is where it is said that he produced his best works, and where he felt his happiest.

The home is open to the public, enabling insight onto where Edgar spent his days writing. Uncover the cosy reading room, Poe’s bedroom and the eerie basement. As you tour the home, you will find that there are plenty of exhibits inside to explore which display history of Poe’s life and the significance of the house in his creativity.

Steamtown

Steamtown national park is an eye into the past of American transportation. Step into a world of steam travel and experience, learn and ride the trains that paved the way for modern railway!

The seasonal train rides offer a 30-minute journey on the parks historic railroad, so you can sit back in the vintage carriages and chug along the tracks to the classic sound of the train’s engine.

Visit the technology museum, an intriguing eye into the history of rail travel. You will find interactive exhibits that display the technicality behind what made the steam trains so impressive. You will find the original signals and lamps used on the original trains, a real look into how the trains were kept running. After this, make sure to take a look at the South Musuem, with timelines of information about rail dating right up to 1995.

The Roundhouse is one of the best places on site for an up-close look at the mechanics behind steam railway. Tour the round platform and learn about the trains on display. On departure, visit the America’s National Parks™ shop, where you can find memorabilia to take home and cherish from your visit.

Independence Hall

Independence hall is one of the best national parks in Pennsylvania for its American history. It is the very place where the declaration of independence was signed on the 2nd of August 1776. This influential and historical building is a UNESCO world heritage site.

You will get the opportunity to explore the significant rooms in the building, telling of a past of freedom, debate and governing.

The Assembly room is where the declaration was signed, undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the hall. The history tells of the room becoming a symbol of the nation, with original paintings of the founding fathers and the liberty bell being displayed here. Abraham Lincoln came to the room to praise the newfound independence of the nation, but it is also where he was put to rest after his assassination in Ford’s Theatre.

The bells and clocks of independence hall remain with as much significance as they originally held. You will find the clock made by Thomas Stretch still keeps time today as it has since 1876. The ‘Liberty bell’ has its name as it rang as a sound of freedom for America.

Valley Forge

Valley forge was the encampment site of the continental army from 1777-78 during the American revolutionary war. Valley Forge was a place of defensive high ground and shelter, where they could train and recoup from the battles.

The museum of Valley forge is very telling of the impact of the events of the battle. Along the way you can find murals, interactive features and historic objects, unique to the park itself.

What’s better than a trail to explore the sight? Take the Encampment tour, which can be driven , walked or even by mini bus. This 10 mile loop has nine stop off locations to discover. The ‘Trolley tours’ enable you to be driven around site in a little bus for a 90 minute tour of the site.

The best national parks in Pennsylvania – further reading.

Thankyou for reading this article on the best national parks in Pennsylvania. If you enjoyed this, here are some other related articles you will enjoy too!

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