Outdoor Recreation

From hiking to biking, fishing to hunting, hang gliding to snowmobiling, Pennsylvania has a wide diversity of recreational opportunities in our state parks and forests during all seasons. 

Two ATVs with riders on a gravel road surrounded by lush green forest.

ATV Riding

ATV Riding
A man and a woman riding bicycles over a brown metal bridge

Biking

Biking
A white sailboat sailing on blue waters with mountains in the background

Boating

Boating

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is a great way to experience the outdoors in winter. Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests offer some of the best places to ski.

Cross-Country Skiing
A man throwing a green disc at a yellow metal basket

Disc Golfing

Disc Golfing
Two people snowboarding down a slope next to a ski lift

Downhill Skiing

Downhill Skiing
A woman fishing from a dock at a lake

Fishing

Fishing
A blue tuperware geocache tucked under a log

Geocaching

Geocaching
A group of men golfing near golf carts on the green

Golfing

Golfing
A man hangliding over a river in between mountains.

Hang Gliding

Hang Gliding
A couple hiking with a dog on a natural surface trail through a green forest

Hiking

Hiking
A group riding horses on a gravel trail through the green forest

Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding
A man wearing orange camouflage clothing is sitting in the snow and leaning against a tree with his gun.

Hunting

Hunting
Three kayaks and canoes are being paddled in the lake surrounded by forest

Kayaking and Canoeing

Kayaking and Canoeing
A man is mountain biking on an open trail through a lush green forest

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking
A park educator helps two girls with a map near a temporary orienteering marker

Orienteering

Orienteering
An older couple sitting a picnic table with a valley view behind them

Picnicking

Picnicking
Two youth climbing up a cliff face wearing climbing equipment

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing
A scuba diver swimming in a lake

Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving
A man sledding down a steep hill with many other sledders enjoying the snowy day

Sledding and Ice Skating

There is a certain peace and tranquility in Pennsylvania state parks during the winter, and the view can be breathtaking—especially when there is snow on the ground and ice on the lakes.

Sledding and Ice Skating
Two snowmobiles driving on a wide snowy path through the forest

Snowmobiling

State parks and forests offer thousands of miles and hundreds of acres of designated snowmobile areas for exploration.

Snowmobiling
Two people on a cabin porch overlooking a lake

Stay Overnight

Stay Overnight
A boy splashing water in a lake with other swimmers around

Swimming

Swimming
A bride in groom dressed in wedding attire walking on a path covered in golden fallen leaves

Weddings in Parks

Weddings in Parks
A whitewater kayaker in an orange boat going over a waterfall

Whitewater Boating

Whitewater Boating