There’s something special about camping in Pennsylvania during the fall.
The mornings are crisp, evenings are made for sitting around the campfire, and the forests transform into shades of red, orange, and gold. Add in fewer bugs and miles of hiking trails surrounded by fall foliage, and it might just be the best time of year to go camping in Pennsylvania.
With state parks scattered throughout the Commonwealth, you have plenty of options for planning a fall camping getaway. You can spend a weekend chasing waterfalls, hike through the Pocono Mountains, explore the Pennsylvania Wilds, or simply relax around the campfire surrounded by colorful leaves.
If you’re ready to plan an autumn adventure, these are some of the best Pennsylvania state parks for camping in the fall.
When Is the Best Time for Fall Camping in Pennsylvania?
The best time for fall camping in Pennsylvania generally falls between late September and late October, but peak foliage varies depending on where you are in the state.
Northern and higher-elevation areas typically begin changing first, while southern Pennsylvania tends to hold onto its fall colors a little longer.
Instead of planning your entire trip around a predicted “peak” weekend, consider the overall experience. Even before or after peak foliage, Pennsylvania’s state parks can be gorgeous in autumn.
Fall temperatures can also vary significantly. Warm afternoons can quickly turn into chilly evenings, so packing layers and cold-weather camping gear is important.
Ready to go? Here are some of my favorite Pennsylvania state parks to consider for your next fall camping trip.
1. Worlds End State Park
Location: Forksville, Pennsylvania
If I had to picture the perfect Pennsylvania fall camping weekend, Worlds End State Park would be pretty close.
Located in Sullivan County, Worlds End combines rugged mountains, forested trails, scenic overlooks, and Loyalsock Creek. When the surrounding mountains turn orange and gold, the entire area feels like it was made for an autumn getaway.
The park has a 70-site tent and trailer campground, with electric hookups available at about half of the sites. Water, shower houses, and a sanitary dump station are also available.
Why Camp at Worlds End in the Fall?
The hiking is the real star here.
Spend your days exploring trails through the surrounding forest and seeking out overlooks where you can see miles of colorful mountains. Then head back to camp for a warm meal and an evening around the fire.
Worlds End is also surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest, giving you even more opportunities to explore beyond the boundaries of the park.
Don’t Miss: The park’s scenic overlooks and the fall views surrounding Loyalsock Creek.
Best For: Hiking, mountain views, and a quiet fall weekend.
2. Cook Forest State Park
Location: Cooksburg, Pennsylvania
For a completely different fall camping experience, head to Cook Forest State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Cook Forest is famous for its towering old-growth trees, making it beautiful throughout the year. But walking beneath those enormous trees on a crisp autumn day is especially memorable.
The park’s Ridge Campground has more than 200 campsites, including electric-only and full-hookup options. Modern restrooms and showers are available during the camping season, weather permitting.
Keep in mind that the Ridge Campground typically operates only through mid-October, so you’ll want to plan an earlier fall trip here.
Why Camp at Cook Forest in the Fall?
Cook Forest offers a great combination of hiking and scenic drives.
You can spend the morning exploring trails beneath towering trees before taking an afternoon drive through the Pennsylvania Wilds to enjoy even more foliage.
The Clarion River adds another beautiful element to the landscape.
Don’t Miss: A walk through the park’s famous forest and a scenic drive through the surrounding Pennsylvania Wilds.
Best For: Old-growth forests, scenic drives, and early-fall camping.
3. Cherry Springs State Park
Location: Coudersport, Pennsylvania
What if your fall camping trip didn’t end when the sun went down?
Cherry Springs State Park is famous for its exceptionally dark skies and stargazing opportunities, making it one of Pennsylvania’s most unique camping destinations.
The park’s rustic campground has just 30 non-electric campsites. Sites include a picnic table, lantern hanger, and fire ring, but facilities are more basic than you’ll find at many larger state park campgrounds.
The rustic campground typically remains open through the last weekend in October.
Why Camp at Cherry Springs in the Fall?
Cool autumn nights combined with dark skies can make for an incredible stargazing experience.
Spend the daytime driving through the Pennsylvania Wilds, hiking nearby trails, or searching for fall foliage. After dark, bundle up, grab a chair, and look up.
Cherry Springs is an especially good choice for campers who don’t need lots of campground amenities and would rather have a quieter, more rustic experience.
Don’t Miss: Stargazing after dark.
Best For: Stargazing, rustic camping, and exploring the Pennsylvania Wilds.
4. Hickory Run State Park
Location: White Haven, Pennsylvania
If you’re looking for fall camping in the Poconos, Hickory Run State Park deserves a spot on your list.
The nearly 16,000-acre park has more than 40 miles of hiking trails along with streams, forests, and its famous Boulder Field.
The campground offers both forested and open campsites. Many sites have electric hookups, and some offer full hookups. Modern campground facilities generally operate through mid-October, while rustic camping continues into December.
Why Camp at Hickory Run in the Fall?
Location, location, location.
You’re in the Pocono Mountains during one of the most beautiful times of the year.
Spend the day hiking through colorful forests, visit Boulder Field, and then return to your campsite for a chilly evening around the fire.
Hickory Run is also a good option if you want more campground amenities than you’ll find at some of Pennsylvania’s more rustic parks.
Don’t Miss: Boulder Field and the park’s extensive hiking trail system.
Best For: Poconos foliage, hiking, and campers looking for more amenities.
5. Ohiopyle State Park
Location: Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
Ohiopyle is one of Pennsylvania’s premier outdoor destinations, and fall only makes it better.
Located in the Laurel Highlands, the park is known for waterfalls, hiking, biking, and the rushing Youghiogheny River.
Kentuck Campground has roughly 200 campsites and remains open into December. Many campsites offer electric hookups, while adventurous tent campers can choose from walk-to sites that require a short hike from the parking area.
Why Camp at Ohiopyle in the Fall?
There is so much to do that you could easily fill an entire long weekend.
Explore waterfalls, hike through the forest, bike a section of the Great Allegheny Passage, wander through Ohiopyle, and take in the fall scenery throughout the Laurel Highlands.
It’s a particularly good choice for travelers who prefer an active camping trip rather than spending the entire weekend at the campground.
Don’t Miss: Ohiopyle Falls and the surrounding Laurel Highlands scenery.
Best For: Waterfalls, hiking, biking, and adventure-filled weekends.
6. Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Location: Gardners, Pennsylvania
Located at the northern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pine Grove Furnace State Park makes a fantastic fall camping destination in south-central Pennsylvania.
The park is surrounded by Michaux State Forest and offers access to hiking, biking, two mountain lakes, and the Appalachian Trail.
Its campground has 70 tent and trailer sites and typically remains open from late March through mid-December.
Why Camp at Pine Grove Furnace in the Fall?
This is a great park for combining fall foliage with a little hiking.
The Appalachian Trail passes through the park, and you can visit the Appalachian Trail Museum during your trip.
The surrounding Michaux State Forest also means you aren’t limited to exploring within the state park itself.
Don’t Miss: Hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail.
Best For: Appalachian Trail enthusiasts, hiking, and south-central Pennsylvania getaways.
7. Ricketts Glen State Park
Location: Benton, Pennsylvania
Ricketts Glen is usually an easy addition to any list of the best places for fall camping in Pennsylvania.
The park’s Falls Trail is one of Pennsylvania’s most memorable hikes, leading past a remarkable collection of waterfalls surrounded by forest. Add autumn colors and you have the makings of an unforgettable hike.
However, there’s an important update for fall 2026 travelers.
Important 2027 Camping Update
The Ricketts Glen campground is scheduled to close in 2027, as part of a major campground improvement project.
That means Ricketts Glen won’t be an option for most traditional fall camping trips during the 2027 foliage season.
Don’t cross it off your fall bucket list completely, though.
You can still visit the park for a day trip and experience its famous waterfalls and fall scenery. Consider camping at another nearby park and making Ricketts Glen one of your daytime adventures.
Once campground construction is complete, Ricketts Glen will once again be a destination worth considering for a future Pennsylvania fall camping trip.
Don’t Miss: Falls Trail.
Best For: Waterfalls, photography, and a fall day trip during the campground closure.
8. Promised Land State Park
Location: Greentown, Pennsylvania
Promised Land State Park is another excellent option for experiencing fall in the Pocono Mountains.
Forests surround the park’s lakes, creating beautiful autumn scenery when the leaves begin to change. The combination of water and fall foliage also makes this an especially photogenic camping destination.
One advantage of Promised Land is the variety of overnight options available within the park. Some camping areas operate seasonally, while Pickerel Point campground offers year-round camping.
Why Camp at Promised Land in the Fall?
This is a great choice if your ideal fall weekend is a little slower.
Take a morning hike, enjoy the scenery around the lake, spend the afternoon exploring the Poconos, and return to camp for dinner around the fire.
It’s also a convenient base for exploring more of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Don’t Miss: A walk around the lake when the surrounding trees are showing off their fall colors.
Best For: Lakeside scenery, relaxing weekends, and Poconos getaways.
9. French Creek State Park
Location: Elverson, Pennsylvania
Fall colors tend to arrive later in southeastern Pennsylvania, making French Creek State Park a good choice if you’re trying to extend your fall camping season.
The park’s forests, lakes, and extensive trail system provide plenty to explore during a weekend away.
French Creek is also convenient for travelers coming from southeastern Pennsylvania who want an outdoor getaway without driving all the way to the northern mountains.
Why Camp at French Creek in the Fall?
Its southern location can make French Creek particularly appealing later in the season.
When northern Pennsylvania is beginning to move past peak color, southeastern Pennsylvania may still be putting on a show.
Spend your weekend hiking, relaxing around the campground, or pairing your visit with other attractions in the region.
Best For: Late-season fall camping and southeastern Pennsylvania travelers.
10. Black Moshannon State Park
Location: Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Black Moshannon State Park offers the kind of peaceful, forested atmosphere that makes fall camping so appealing.
Surrounded by Moshannon State Forest, the park feels wonderfully removed from busy destinations. Its lake, wetlands, trails, and surrounding forests provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors without packing your itinerary.
Why Camp at Black Moshannon in the Fall?
This is where I’d go when the goal is simply to slow down.
Take a hike through the forest, enjoy the fall colors reflecting across the lake, make something warm for dinner, and spend the evening sitting around your campsite.
The surrounding state forest also provides even more opportunities for scenic drives and outdoor adventures.
Best For: Quiet camping trips, lake views, and escaping the crowds.
Which Pennsylvania State Park Is Best for Fall Camping?
With so many choices, the best park really depends on the type of trip you want.
For waterfalls: Ohiopyle
For stargazing: Cherry Springs
For Poconos foliage: Hickory Run or Promised Land
For hiking: Worlds End
For old-growth forest: Cook Forest
For Appalachian Trail access: Pine Grove Furnace
For a quieter getaway: Black Moshannon
For late-season camping: French Creek
Tips for Fall Camping in Pennsylvania
Fall camping requires a little more preparation than a summer weekend at the campground.
Pack Plenty of Layers
Pennsylvania fall weather can be unpredictable.
You might hike in a T-shirt during the afternoon and need a jacket, hat, and warm layers around the campfire a few hours later.
Pack clothing that you can easily layer throughout the day.
Prepare for Cold Nights
Check the forecast before your trip, but don’t focus only on daytime highs.
Overnight temperatures are what really matter when you’re sleeping outside.
Bring a sleeping bag rated appropriately for the temperatures you’re expecting and an insulated sleeping pad to help keep the cold ground from stealing your body heat.
Bring Rain Gear
Fall weather doesn’t always cooperate.
A rain jacket, waterproof hiking shoes, extra socks, and a tarp can make the difference between a rainy adventure and a miserable weekend.
Plan Easy, Warm Camping Meals
Fall camping is the perfect excuse to upgrade your camp menu.
Think chili, soup, campfire nachos, foil packet dinners, grilled sandwiches, oatmeal, hot chocolate, and plenty of morning coffee.
A warm dinner tastes especially good after spending the day hiking in chilly weather.
Check Campground Closing Dates
Not every Pennsylvania state park campground remains fully operational throughout the fall.
Some campgrounds close in October, while others stay open into November or December. Modern facilities such as showers may also close before the campground itself.
Always check the current campground information before making your plans.
Make Reservations Early
Fall weekends can be popular, especially at parks known for spectacular foliage.
If you have a particular park and weekend in mind, don’t wait until peak foliage arrives to start searching for a campsite.
Don’t Rely on a Campfire for Warmth
Campfires are part of the fun, but your clothing and sleeping setup should be warm enough without one.
Weather conditions, fire restrictions, or campground rules can always change your plans.
What to Pack for Fall Camping in Pennsylvania
In addition to your regular camping gear, consider bringing:
- Warm sleeping bag
- Insulated sleeping pad
- Base layers
- Fleece or sweatshirt
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- Wool or synthetic hiking socks
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof hiking shoes or boots
- Extra blankets
- Headlamp
- Camp chairs
- Camp stove and fuel
- Thermos
- Tarp or canopy
- Portable power bank
And don’t forget the ingredients for a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Plan Your Pennsylvania Fall Camping Adventure
From the waterfalls of Ohiopyle to the mountains surrounding Worlds End and the dark skies of Cherry Springs, Pennsylvania has no shortage of incredible places to pitch a tent or park your camper this fall.
The hardest part might be choosing just one.
If you’re chasing peak fall foliage, consider starting your adventures in northern Pennsylvania earlier in the season and working your way south as October progresses.
But don’t get too caught up in finding the exact “perfect” foliage weekend.
Some of our favorite camping memories aren’t about seeing leaves at precisely peak color. They’re about chilly mornings with coffee in hand, long days on the trail, warm dinners at camp, and evenings spent sitting around a fire.
And Pennsylvania gives you plenty of places to experience all of it.
