It might be difficult to decide which of Pennsylvania’s numerous parks to visit first, with over 120 options, but we found the five best options near Washington, Pennsylvania, to help you get started.
The rich natural beauty of these stunning parks will help you find the best place to unwind and relax. Get in touch with nature and improve your health while hiking, biking, and visiting waterfalls.
Natural and picturesque locations abound in the Keystone state, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness buffs. For residents of the city of Washington, there are a number of amazing parks nearby.
Whether you choose to spend your time on foot, on two wheels, in the water, or in the great outdoors, you will find a number of beautiful parks to enjoy in every season. Take time in the summer months to enjoy the water, and try out fun snow activities like sledding in winter.
In addition to the 300,000 acres of state parks in Pennsylvania, you can find even more in neighboring states. The beauty of the northeastern states is the ability to enjoy the beauty of the falling leaves in the fall in several states without needing to drive far.
Map of State Parks Near Washington PA
Here is a map of the Pennsylvania state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Washington
Find your favorite park below and plan your next camping trip.
1. Ryerson Station State Park
Location: 361 Bristoria Rd, Graysville, PA 15337
Ryerson Station State Park in Greene County sits near the border of the West Virginia border. The 1,164-acre park features a swimming pool, campground, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and winter activities.
With over eleven miles of trails with views of the entire park. However, the real fun comes in the winter with cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing. Ryerson Station State Park is a must-see for nature lovers planning an RV trip.
The park includes 46 campsites for tents and trailers, along with two cottages for rent, and with the park open every day of the year, you can make the most of the beautiful scenery.
Take time out to explore fishing and hunting on the park’s 1,164 acres. If you go picnicking at the park, you will find well-structured picnic areas available throughout.
During the summer season, evening environmental education programs are offered in the amphitheater on weekends.
2. Point State Park
Location: 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Find Point State Park situated at the confluence of three rivers at the tip of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle.
The park commemorates and preserves the strategic and historical heritage of the area during the French and Indian War, making it a National Historic Landmark. Check out the 23 monuments, plaques, and markers throughout the park commemorating the war over 36 acres of park.
If you enjoy being close to mother nature, then this place is perfect for you. There are so many fun activities that you can do around the park, such as hiking, walking, biking, boating, kayaking, fishing, and many more.
The riverside promenades and Point State Park Fountain are ADA-accessible. Hike Pittsburgh’s magnificent hills, canals, and bridges over 37 miles of trails.
The park offers camping cottages, sites, RV hookups, and amenities to make for an excellent stay in the woods.
3. Hillman State Park
Location: Burgettstown, PA 15021
While Hillman State Park does not allow camping, you can find plenty to keep you busy over the 3,700 acres.
You will find the park in Northern Washington County in the Allegheny Plateau, which is part of the Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests ecoregion, making it an ideal space to get away from everything for a few hours. Hunters will enjoy the game managed by the park, while hikers will love connecting with nature.
However, the highlight of the park features the red-painted Lyle Covered Bridge on the eastern border of the park. The bridge built in the late 1800s serves as a national landmark and as the ubiquitous beauty of the northeast.
After exploring the bridge, grab your poles to fish at Raccoon Creek, along with several ponds. Anglers in the area have caught largemouth bass, sunfish, and other local species. Stay out of the water and enjoy the trails on horseback, too, or even by mountain bike.
4. Raccoon Creek State Park
Location: 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050
Raccoon Creek State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most visited state parks, about 30 miles west of Pittsburg.
The park encompasses 7,572 acres and features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Lake. Nature lovers will adore the park with a 100-acre lake, a 300-acre wildflower reserve, over 40 miles of hiking paths, and little infrastructure.
The wildflower paths are popular in the spring, and the lake and woodland walk takes you into nature to see stunning panoramas that vary as you hike.
Although the Frankfort Mineral Springs Waterfall makes the park fantastic but requires a bit of walking around a hiking loop, or you can access it from the road.
While the park does not offer camping, you can enjoy the views while fishing. Of course, the trails are open for hiking, mountain bike, or by horseback.
In the right season, you can hunt but just remember to plan for a place to stay somewhere on the grounds.
5. Barkcamp State Park
Location: 65330 Barkcamp Park Rd, Belmont, OH 43718
Barkcamp State Park allows visitors a glimpse of what Ohio’s forests looked like prior to settlement, along with stunning views of the Appalachian Plateau.
This Ohio State Park‘s picturesque hills and quiet lake draw campers, paddlers, anglers, horseback riders, and hikers to experience the region’s natural splendor. The 1,005-acre park features the sandstone hills in along with woodlands and rolling hills for a rugged adventure.
Layers of coal lie hidden within the sandstone bedrock, formed by decaying swamp vegetation millions of years ago during the Pennsylvanian geologic period.
The woods support various plants, such as wild geranium, hepatica, bloodroot, and other spring blooms.
Animals thrive here, including a variety of songbirds, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys, all of which you can view from the 150 electrified campsites along with all the amenities.
You can also check out the area from a resort lodge, cabins, and even a bridle camp.
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