Since Pennsylvania was one of the Thirteen Colonies, and the second state to declare independence from Great Britain, it’s no surprise that it is teaming with historical sites. Pennsylvania has 1 National Forest, 116 State Parks, and 19 National Park Sites.
The Keystone State is a treasure trove of historical events from the Declaration of Independence, and the Liberty Bell to the Battle of Gettysburg.
Table of Contents
National Parks in Pennsylvania
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Located about 80 miles east of Pittsburg, the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is where the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works constructed the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
During the 1820s, the United States was eager to move westward, but the Allegheny Mountains stood in the way. The locomotives could not handle the steep grades of the mountains, so engineers sought a different path. They constructed a railroad with ten inclined planes that pulled freight and passengers up and down the mountains.
Today, visitors can see the remains of this ingenious system and learn about how the railroad impacted westward expansion.
Amenities: Exhibits, park film, Engine House 6, Lemon House Tavern, hiking, biking, heritage hikes, etc
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 110 Federal Park Road, Gallitzin, PA 16641
National Park Website for Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Nearly 230 miles of the Appalachian Trail pass through Pennsylvania. How cool would it be to say you’ve actually walked the Appalachian Trail? Nobody needs to know it was just a portion of it. *wink*
Amenities: Appalachian Trail Museum, hiking, picnicking
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: The trail passes through Boiling Springs, Duncannon, and Wind Gap.
National Park Website for Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The Delaware River flows along the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This recreation area provides 40 miles of waterfront beckoning you to experience it. You can rent equipment along the river and set out for a day of canoeing, kayaking, or rafting. The Delaware Water Gap also has over 100 miles of hiking trails, including 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Amenities: Kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, camping, hiking, fishing, waterfalls
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA 18324
National Park Website for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
The Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site is located in Philadelphia. The King of Macabre wrote some of his most famous works while living in Philly. The park grants visitors the opportunity to explore the home of one of the greatest names in horror writing.
Amenities: Tour Poe’s Home, visit the Reading Room
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 532 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia 19123
National Park Website for Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Tour the home of the 34th President of the United States. Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, purchased this farm near Gettysburg. “Ike”, as he was called, often traveled from DC to Gettysburg by helicopter (he was the first president to travel this way!) during his presidency.
Amenities: Tour the Eisenhower home and farm
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 250 Eisenhower Farm Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325
National Park Website for Eisenhower National Historic Site
First State National Historical Park (DE & PA)
Although a bulk of the First State NHP is located in Delaware, part of it bleeds into Pennsylvania. Located next to Brandywine Creek State Park, this tract of woodlands offers trails for hiking and horseback riding. Nearby, you can also see historic Quaker homes.
Amenities: hiking, horseback riding
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19270
National Park Website for First State National Historical Park
Flight 93 National Memorial
The Flight 93 National Memorial is the site where Flight 93 crashed on September 11, 2001. On this dreadful day, hijackers seized four commercial airplanes and used them as weapons against the American people. Two of the planes crashed into the Twin Towers in NYC, and the third was driven into the Pentagon.
Passengers on Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers and fought to regain control of the plane. Unfortunately, the plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania killing all of the passengers.
The memorial, which protects the crash site, is only open to family members of the victims. There is a wall of inscribed names honoring these men and women.
Amenities: walking trails, September 11 Observance
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 6424 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown, PA 15563
National Park Website for Flight 93 National Memorial
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Located about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburg, you’ll find the Fort Necessity Battlefield. This site features a reconstruction of the fort built by George Washington in 1755.
While he was in his young twenties, Washington was in charge of British troops that were sent to the area. He and his men had many encounters with the French in the area. As a response, he constructed Fort Necessity. The fort was attacked by the French and their native allies causing Washington to retreat.
Amenities: self-guided battlefield tour, historic weapons demonstrations, hiking
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 1 Washington Parkway, Farmington 15437
National Park Website for Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site
When Albert Gallatin immigrated to America from Switzerland in 1780, he bought a tract of land and built a home he called Friendship Hill.
He would later serve in the Pennsylvania State Legislature, the U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives. He also helped Thomas Jefferson be elected President. In turn, Jefferson had Gallatin serve as the Secretary of Treasury. Gallatin helped finance the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark’s expedition.
The park preserves his home and celebrates his accomplishments.
Amenities: hiking, tour the Gallatin House
Entrance Fee: Free
Address:223 New Geneva Rd. Point Marion, PA 15470
National Park Website for Friendship Hill NHS
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg is home to the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. On July 1, 1863, the Union and Confederacy engaged in a 3-day battle that ended in 51,000 casualties.
Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address at the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Today, the park has more than 1,300 monuments, markers, and memorials. Take the full 24-mile auto tour, or choose to just hit the highlights.
Amenities: driving tour, horseback riding, battleground tours, living history program
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg 17325
National Park Website for Gettysburg National Military Park.
Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site
Gloria De Church, also known as Old Swedes Church was built in 1698. Today, it features models of the ships that brought Swedish colonists to America.
The church is still a working church, so be sure to check their schedule of events before visiting.
Amenities: Churchyard, Henrickson House museum, historic graveyard
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 916 S. Swanson Street, Philadelphia 19147
National Park Website for Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
While the South made their money off enslaved labor, Northern states made their fortunes from factories. Mark Bird established Hopewell Furnace in 1771. He used local ore to create iron goods.
Hopewell Furnace was often called an “iron plantation” because of its similarities with southern plantations. It was a self-sustained community that included the homes of workers, a church, an apple orchard, community stores, and more.
Amenities: Self-guided tour, living history programs, demonstrations, hiking, apple picking
Entrance Fee: Free
Address:2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520
National Park Website for Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Independence National Historical Park
This place is an American History lover’s DREAM! Located in the historic Old City of downtown Philadelphia, this size is composed of two dozen spots that played a role in American Independence.
Start your visit at the Visitor Center to pick up information on the different sites, get your ticket for Independence Hall, and sign up for guided tours.
Amenities: Tour Independence Hall, Pose with Historical Statues, visit more than 2 dozen locations that played a part in the quest for Independence
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
National Park Website for Independence National Historical Park
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
On May 30, 1889, torrential rain pounded on Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Nearby rivers, lakes, and streams flooded the streets. The following day, the South Fork Dam was pushed to the limits causing it to collapse. sending 20 million tons of water rushing toward several nearby towns. Within minutes, Johnstown was destroyed and more than 2,200 people lost their lives.
Amenities: Visitor Center, scenic drive, remains of the dam
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 733 Lake Road, South Fork, PA 15956
National Park Website for Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
Did you know Pennsylvania is home to the largest free-flowing river in the eastern United States? Enjoy a day of leisure by exploring the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River.
Points of interest include:
- National Canal Museum
- Delaware Canal
- Riegelsville Historic District & Benjamin Riegel House
- Tinicum Park
- Ralph Stover State Park
- Tohickon Valley Park
- Honey Hollow Watershed National Historic Landmark
- Phillips Mill
- Parry Mansion
- Washington Crossing Historic Park
Amenities: Boating, fishing, hiking, biking
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia 19107
National Park Website for Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
The Heritage Trails are a series of trails covering 710 miles throughout Maryland, Virginia, DC, and Pennsylvania. There is no official visitor center for this trail network.
Amenities: Paddling, Hiking, Biking
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: c/o Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
142 W. Potomac St.
Williamsport 21795
National Park Website for Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Steamtown National Historic Site
At the Steamtown National Historic Site, train lovers (and visitors) can explore historic locomotives and train cars. You can also visit a working rail yard or take a guided train tour.
Amenities: Explore the Roundhouse, train rides, guided tours
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 350 Cliff Street, Scranton, PA 18503
National Park Website for Steamtown National Historic Site
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
While you may know who Thaddeus Kosciuszko is, he was a pretty big deal in his day. His good friend, Thomas Jefferson, once called him “As pure a son of liberty, as I have ever known…”. Kosciuszko served as a general and was responsible for fortifying many Colonial towns. Today, you can visit his former home and learn about his contributions to America.
Amenities: Explore the Roundhouse, train rides, guided tours
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 350 Cliff Street, Scranton, PA 18503
National Park Website for Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreation River
The river, which offers Class 1 and Class II rapids, forms the boundary between New York and Pennsylvania. It is a wonderful place to spend the day out on the water.
Amenities: Rafting, canoeing, fishing
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 350 Cliff Street, Scranton, PA 18503
National Park Website for Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Valley Forge National Historical Park
George Washington and his troops set up camp at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777. The men faced tremendous adversity including starvation, frigid temperatures, and illness.
The park stands in honor of those troops who gave their lives, and those who overcame such tribulations and went on to fight for our independence.
Amenities: walking, trolly, or auto tours
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 1400 North Outer Line Drive King of Prussia, PA 19406
National Park Website for Valley Forge National Historical Park
What Should I Take With Me?
When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.
Backpack– to store all of your belongings
Dry Bag– to keep your electronics and wallet safe, in case of rain (or kayaking)
Trail GPS– the Garmin Oregon handled GPS works offline. You can view maps, waypoints, tracks, and trails even if you don’t have a signal.
First-Aid Kit– this ultralight, watertight medical kit is a must if you’re hitting the trails!
Sunscreen- yes, you can get sunburned in the forest.
Insect Repellant
Water Bottle– Always pack more water than you think you’ll need!
Snacks
Hammock– I honestly pack a hammock on most hiking trips. Psh, I even bring them along with me when we go on cruises. There are plenty of spots in the forest to put up a hammock and chill out for a bit.
If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.
How to Visit the Parks for Free
Although some National Park sites are free, some of them require a fee to enter. This fee ranges from $5 per vehicle to $35 per vehicle whereas some charge up to $20 a person.
The National Parks offer Free National Park Days where you can access the park for free! Learn more about these days.
If you have a fourth-grader, you can get an annual pass that grants you access to all of the parks for free! Every year, starting on September 1st, all fourth-grade students are eligible for an Every Kid Outdoors Pass. The pass grants free access to the entire family! Fill out the form at www.everykidoutdoors.gov
Other National Park Resources
National Parks in Nearby States
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