Coolest Campgrounds To Stay In Around Pennsylvania This Summer

PENNSYLVANIA — While containing several major metropolitan areas, Pennsylvania remains a natural oasis, filled with huge swaths of open space and plenty of opportunities for residents to get outside and sleep under the stars.

There are some 70 state parks across Pennsylvania that offer camping, and most of these sites can and must be booked ahead of time, especially in the busy spring and summer seasons.

State park campgrounds vary widely in their offerings, amenities, views, and overall experience. Many have showers, bathrooms, grills, and RV hookups, while many simpler and more rustic sites have little more than a port-a-potty and running water.

From some of the best stargazing in America to tent sites on river islands, here are some of Pennsylvania's greatest hidden gems.

Stargazing mecca

Toward the north-central part of the state up in Potter County, Cherry State Park is famous for the breadth of the Milky Way that can be seen at night. The Milky Way itself casts a "shadow" that is visible due to unique conditions and the remoteness of the park. It was named an International Dark Sky Park in 2007, the first in Pennsylvania. It lies 4.5 hours from Philadelphia and 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh. Details.

Mid-river stopover

The Delaware Water Gap is many things: gateway to the Poconos, a haven of waterfalls, the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, equidistant from Philadelphia and New York City, and maybe the wildest stretch of land in the area. Operated by the National Park Service, it's also home to some fantastic scenic camping spots on islands in the middle of the Delaware River. Most of these sites are first-come, first-serve. Details.

Lakeside sleeping

Seven Points Recreation Area and Raystown Lake may be famous for its houseboat rentals, but there are less pricy and more minimalistic ways to take in this piece of Pennsylvania lake country. Beautiful lakeside tent sites are available here, offering expansive views of the water and easy access to all the fishing, hiking, and boating the area has to offer. Details.

Philly-area options

Philadelphia area residents don't need to spend hours driving for an overnight outdoor adventure. Some beautiful campgrounds exist with just a short drive of Center City, offering convenient accommodations to visitors and an easy getaway for locals.

One of the closest is French Creek State Park, a 7,000-acre plus swath of land in Chester and Berks counties that's less than 90 minutes from the city. A massive campground features cabins, cottages, yurts, electric sites for RV hookups, and traditional, basic sites to put up a tent. Extensive hiking, biking, and equestrian trails wind through the park, along with nearby historic sites, and boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities. Details.

Another great option for those in the city or suburbs is Ridley Creek State Park in Delaware County, an even shorter drive from downtown. Though smaller than French Creek and more suburban than rural, it doesn't take long after you enter the park gates to feel like you're deep in the backcountry. Details.

Now for something completely different

No list of Pennsylvania's best campgrounds would be complete without the weirdest and wildest of them all: the "dispersed" camping that is available almost anywhere within Allegheny National Forest. Allegheny does have developed campgrounds that can be booked online or by phone, but what's truly unique here is the Mad Max experience of getting into the woods entirely unfettered. Details.