PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Fall is just around the corner which means cooler temperatures and crisp air, which can be the perfect conditions to visit one of Pennsylvania's 19 National Parks.
Below is a list of the National Parks that the commonwealth has to offer for visitors to enjoy:
110 Federal Park Rd., Gallitzin, PA 16641
Located in Gallitzin, this railroad was the first to cross the Allegheny Mountains and the final piece of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. Located at about 2,320 feet in elevation, the railroad is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and there is no entry fee. The park covers 1,249 acres including a visitor center, the historic Lemon House, Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter, the Skew Arch Bridge, hiking trails and the Staple Bend Tunnel.
Appalachian Trail Park Office, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
This footpath spanning over 2,190 miles and 14 states captures the scenic atmosphere the Appalachian Mountains has to offer. The trail is open seven days a week, all day hours. There are no entrance fees or permits required to walk the trail, but a few public lands the trail crosses will charge fees or require permits to park or camp overnight. More information regarding those fees can be found here.
1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Va. 23081
This historic water-based trail follows the path taken by John Smith and his team in 1608, following the Chesapeake's coastlines and tributaries. The trail also remembers the Indigenous societies living in the Chesapeake in the 1600s. The trail is open year-round 24/7 for visitors to boat, paddle and participate in educational and virtual activities. Individual partner sites and access points along the trail have varying hours and fees.
Stretching over 41 million acres, the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network offer a variety of natural, cultural, historical and recreational sites, trails, museums, parks and more. In Pa., the Susquehanna River serves as a major tributary to the Chesapeake Bay.
1978 River Road, Bushkill, Pa. 18324
The Delaware Water Gap, the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi, spans 40 miles offering different landscapes, history, hiking, paddling, fishing and hunting. Sitting in between I-80 and I-84, the park is open 24 hours a day all year long, except federal holidays. There is no entrance fee, but areas used for swimming, picnicking and launching boats charge amenity fees from April 15-Oct. 14.
532 N. 7th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123
This historical site of Edgar Allen Poe's original unfurnished home includes an exhibit area and a sales center. Visitors can opt for a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the home. Currently, the site is closed due to a utility improvement project. A reopening date has not been released.
250 Eisenhower Farm Rd., Gettysburg, Pa.
Next to the Gettysburg battlefield, the farm of General and 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Free tours of the Eisenhower home are offered from August 8-Sept. 29, Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. From Oct.5-Oct. 20, tours will be offered on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
10 Market St., New Castle, DE 19720
Six sites of this historic park can be found in Delaware with a few hundred acres in Pennsylvania. For hours, cost and closings, information can be found here.
6424 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown, Pa. 15563
This national memorial was created in honor of Flight 93, one of the flights that was hijacked in the attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. The memorial is open every day of the week from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. all year round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
3 Washington Parkway, Farmington, Pa. 15437
Fort Necessity is a national battleground and saw the opening action of the French and Indian War in 1754. The battleground is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. A reconstructed Fort Necessity, a visitor center, Mount Washington Tavern and a picnic area are available for guests. No entrance fee is required.
223 New Geneva Rd., Point Marion, Pa. 15470
Friendship Hill highlights the actions Albert Gallatin took as the Secretary of the Treasury during President Thomas Jefferson and President James Madison's tenure. The site which includes a historic house, exhibits and trails is open all week from sunrise to sunset. The site is free of entry.
1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pa. 17325
This park remembers the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the Civil War. The battlefield and roads are open seven days a week, opening 30 minutes before sunrise and closing 30 minutes after sunset. The Gettysburg Battlefield is free to visit.
916 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147
This Episcopal church is home to the parish minister and is the oldest church building in Pa., built by Swedish settlers. The Gloria Dei is an active religious congregation that owns and maintains the church, related buildings and its ministry and the grounds. The church is open seven days a week from 5 a.m.-11 p.m. and is free of entry.
2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, Pa. 19520
This 848-acre park showcases early American industrial operations where guests can walk historic roadways and footpaths. The park is open from Wednesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Trails remain open on Monday and Tuesday. The site is free year-round.
599 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106
Independence is a historic park with multiple locations including the Liberty Bell Center, Old City Hall and the Independence Square buildings, one of which is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. Entrance to Independence Hall is by tour only running from 10:40 a.m.-4:20 a.m. along with Congress Hall with tours going from 10:40 a.m.-4 p.m. Different park sites have different fees, and information can be found here. Hours of operation for the different sites can be found here.
733 Lake Road, South Fork, Pa. 15956
The Johnstown Flood is a memorial that recognizes the failure of the South Fork Dam in 1889, releasing 20,000,000 tons of water destroying Johnstown, and killing over 2,000 people. There is no entrance fee and the park grounds and trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
601 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail stretches nearly 4,900 miles throughout 16 states, outlining the routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1803-1806. The route started in Pittsburgh and ended on the Washington coast, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The trails are open year-round and there is no entrance fee.
1234 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
The Delaware River, the largest free-flowing river in the eastern U.S., spans across Pa. and New Jersey. The park is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. the park is free to enter.
113 River Rd., Cooksburg, Pa. 16217
This scenic trail starts in Vermont and ends in North Dakota. Across the eight states, hikers can walk hills, valleys, shores of lakes and streams and see historic sites along the way. The park is open during all seasons at all hours of the day. The site is free to hike but some trails require fees for parking, camping and entrance. Any questions regarding fees should be addressed to the local land manager.
142 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795
The Potomac River, spanning across the DMV and parts of Pa. offers a scenic trail for hikers to enjoy. The park is open all year, 24 hours a day. Different sections of the trail vary openings with weather permitting, more information can be found here. It is generally free to use the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
350 Cliff St., Scranton, Pa. 18503
Steamtown, located in Scranton, is a historic site that works to preserve the steam railroad transportation era in America's industrial history. Steamtown is open every day from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and entry is free. Currently, the visitor center, theatre and technology museum and locomotive cutaway exhibit are closed for repairs.
3 and Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106
This national memorial is in memory of Thaddeus Kosciuszko who was a Polish general, military engineer and revolutionary. He fought in the American Revolutionary War and was known for his strong morals and kind character. The memorial is open Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Entry is free.
274 River Road, Beach Lake, Pa. 18405
The Delaware River, the last major undammed river in the eastern U.S., offers rapids and pools to canoe through and fishing spots in riverfront villages. The river is open year-round, 24 hours a day. There is no entrance fee.
1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
Valley Forge is a historical national park that was the encampment site of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. The park features 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands and monuments. Hours of operation for the various sites can be found here. Entry is free but trolley tours cost $20 for adults, $18 for students, seniors and military personnel and $10 for children 11 and under.
1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
The largest troop movement of the American Revolution was a combination of General Rochambeau's French Army and General Washington's Continental Army. The combined effort led to a victory at Yorktown, Va. and secured American independence. The trails are open year-round, all hours of the day. Entry is free.
