One of the benefits of living in Pennsylvania is taking advantage of all the lakes, rivers, mountains and scenic areas as well as enjoying outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating, camping, bike riding and hiking. One of the ways in which we preserve these opportunities for residents and visitors alike is through our comprehensive state park system.

Pennsylvania offers a total of 120 state parks that are free to visit and explore.

Attractions, such as the waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park, Balanced Rock and the Ice Mine at Trough Creek State Park, the natural water slide at Ohio Pyle State Park or the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon at Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks are not to be missed. Plus, there are numerous shopping and historic attractions located near many of the parks.

The first state park was established in 1893 at Valley Forge in Chester County, and, since then, Pennsylvania’s state park system has grown to encompass more than 283,000 acres of property, 200 miles of bike trails, 30,000 acres of state park lakes and more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails. Many of the state parks also offer environmental educational programs for children.

State parks are a great family destination with something for everyone, including camping, swimming, boating, fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, photography or simply taking long walks in the woods.

Families who enjoy camping can take advantage of numerous opportunities across the state to enjoy some of our beautiful parks. Most state parks have campgrounds to accommodate both tents and RVs. Many also have modern bath houses and rent cabins, cottages, yurts and sometimes even houses within state park grounds.

To make reservations at one of the 7,000 campsites, 286 cabins (both rustic and modern) or 300 picnic pavilions throughout Pennsylvania’s state park system, call toll-free 1-800-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You can book a cabin, pavilion or group tenting area up to 11 months in advance and within two days of arrival. Campsites can be secured up to noon on the day of arrival. Fees may be charged for campsites and other facilities.

If you never camped before and would like to try, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a wonderful program to introduce first-time campers to this great recreational activity.

For just $20, first-time campers can get a campsite for two nights at any one of 12 state parks. The fee includes rental of a four-person tent, rain tarp, four sleeping pads, four camp chairs, flashlight, lantern, camp stove and four hot dog/marshmallow sticks. A park staffer will help the campers set up camp. The participating state parks include Black Moshannon, Centre County; Hills Creek, Tioga County; Little Pine/Hyner Run, Lycoming County; Ole Bull, Potter County; Promised Land, Pike County; Ryerson Station, Greene County; Sinnemahoning, Cameron and Potter counties; and Tobyhanna, Monroe County. Reservations should be made by calling the respective park office directly.

Information about all of Pennsylvania’s 120 state parks also can be found at visitpaparks.com.

So, if you’re planning a weekend camping trip, an outing with friends, a family reunion or just an afternoon picnic, remember our state parks. Most are only a short drive away and offer ample accommodations at affordable prices. In fact, it is estimated that more than 36 million visitors each year take advantage of the Pennsylvania state park system.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s state parks, visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ website at dcnr.state.pa.us.