Pennsylvania is a strong RV state because its state park system puts modern campgrounds within reach of nearly every region, from the Philadelphia suburbs to the forests of the north. You can pair a history stop like Gettysburg with a lake in the Poconos or a gorge in the north-central mountains without a long drive between them.
RVRents does not deliver, set up or service RVs in Pennsylvania yet. You can rent today from RV owners listed on Outdoorsy through the link on this page, and you can join the waitlist to hear when RVRents service starts in the state. This guide covers regions, campgrounds and the driving rules worth knowing.
How Pennsylvania breaks down for an RV trip
The southeast has Philadelphia, Valley Forge and Lancaster County farm country. South-central Pennsylvania has Gettysburg and the mountains to its west. The northeast is the Pocono Mountains, with lakes and state forest. North-central Pennsylvania, which the state promotes as the Pennsylvania Wilds, has Pine Creek Gorge and the dark forests around it. The southwest has Pittsburgh and the Laurel Highlands, and the northwest has the Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest.
| Region | Best months | Good base | Nearby public campground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | April through October | Philadelphia or Lancaster County | French Creek State Park |
| South-central | Spring through fall | Gettysburg | Caledonia State Park |
| Poconos | Late spring through early fall | Stroudsburg area | Promised Land State Park |
| Pennsylvania Wilds | Mid-April through October | Wellsboro | Leonard Harrison or Hills Creek State Park |
| Laurel Highlands | April through fall | Ohiopyle | Ohiopyle State Park (Kentuck Campground) |
| Northwest | Late spring through early fall | Bradford or Cook Forest | Willow Bay (Allegheny National Forest), Cook Forest State Park |
Top RV destinations in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the place for Independence Hall, museums and food, but it is not a city to park a big RV in. A better plan is to camp outside town and drive in with a car or take transit. French Creek State Park, in Elverson, has a modern campground with electric and full-hookup sites, and its camping season runs from March into early January.
Lancaster County
Lancaster County draws visitors for its farmland, Amish communities, markets and back roads. Horse-drawn buggies share many rural roads, so expect slower traffic. French Creek State Park also works as a base here, since it sits between the Philadelphia area and Lancaster County.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg National Military Park covers the 1863 battlefield, with an auto tour and a museum and visitor center. Caledonia State Park, west of town on the way to Chambersburg, has two campgrounds with electric and full-hookup sites, and DCNR describes the park as a good base for touring Gettysburg. One campground allows pets and the other does not, so check before you book.
The Pocono Mountains
The Poconos in the northeast mix lakes, waterfalls and resort towns. Promised Land State Park, in Pike County, has several campgrounds. DCNR calls Lower Lake best suited to RVs, with electricity and showers, and Pickerel Point has full-hookup sites, with select sites open year-round.
Pine Creek Gorge and Wellsboro
Pine Creek Gorge, often called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, is the centerpiece of the Pennsylvania Wilds. Leonard Harrison State Park, on the east rim near Wellsboro, has a campground with electric sites and a dump station, and its camping pads range from 30 to 75 feet. The park advises RV drivers and anyone towing to stay on paved roads. Hills Creek State Park, northeast of Wellsboro, has electric and some full-hookup sites.
Ohiopyle and the Laurel Highlands
Ohiopyle, southeast of Pittsburgh, is a base for whitewater on the Youghiogheny River, the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail and nearby Fallingwater. Kentuck Campground in Ohiopyle State Park has electric and full-hookup sites and is open from April to mid-December. DCNR advises RVs to avoid the very steep SR 2019 and to come in from Route 40 on SR 2010 (Chalk Hill-Ohiopyle Road) instead.
Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest
The northwest has big forest, the Allegheny Reservoir behind Kinzua Dam, and old-growth trees at Cook Forest. Willow Bay Recreation Area, about 15 miles west of Bradford on State Route 346, is a Forest Service campground where three loops take RVs and some sites have electric. Cook Forest State Park's Ridge Campground has electric sites, full-hookup sites and pull-through sites, and runs from mid-April to mid-October.
Campgrounds and reservations
Pennsylvania state parks are run by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Most campsites can be reserved 11 months in advance, up to noon on the day of arrival, online or by phone at 888-727-2757. Electric service is 20, 30 or 50 amp depending on the park, and full-hookup sites are available at a growing list of parks. Start at the DCNR RV and tent campsites page and confirm each campground's season, since most close for part of the year.
National forest sites in the Allegheny National Forest, including Willow Bay, book on Recreation.gov.
Driving an RV in Pennsylvania
Tolls. The Pennsylvania Turnpike no longer takes cash on the roadway. Tolls are paid by E-ZPass or by Toll By Plate, where a camera captures the plate and an invoice goes to the registered owner. Toll By Plate rates are higher than E-ZPass rates. Ask your rental owner whether the RV carries a transponder and how tolls are billed. Details are at paturnpike.com.
Tunnels and propane. The Turnpike has five tunnels: Allegheny Mountain, Tuscarora Mountain, Kittatinny Mountain and Blue Mountain on the main line, and Lehigh on the Northeast Extension. The Turnpike publishes hazardous materials tunnel restrictions, which are written for placarded loads and list flammable gas among the classes barred in bulk packaging. That page does not address RVs or onboard propane, so if you have questions about your RV's propane system, contact the Turnpike before your trip.
Roads and conditions. Some rural routes in the Wilds and the Laurel Highlands are steep or unpaved, and park pages flag specific roads to avoid with an RV. For conditions, construction and winter travel, check PennDOT.
Worth knowing: If you are driving an RV to Ohiopyle's Kentuck Campground, follow DCNR's route rather than your GPS. The park says to avoid SR 2019, which is very steep, and to take SR 2010 (Chalk Hill-Ohiopyle Road) from Route 40 instead.
Seasons and weather
Pennsylvania's RV season runs mainly from April through October. Many state park campgrounds open in early or mid-April and close in mid to late October, while a few, such as French Creek and Kentuck at Ohiopyle, run later into the year. Summer is the busy season at lakes and in the Poconos. Fall color in October is a strong reason to go, especially in the north-central forests. Winter brings snow and ice across much of the state, so check PennDOT conditions and campground seasons before booking a cold-weather trip. Thunderstorms are common on summer afternoons. For forecasts and alerts, use weather.gov.
If, then
- If you want to see Philadelphia and Lancaster County on one trip, camp at French Creek and drive in for day trips.
- If you are towing or driving a large motorhome to Pine Creek Gorge, stay on paved roads as the parks advise.
- If your trip uses the Turnpike, sort out E-ZPass or Toll By Plate billing with your rental owner before you leave.
- If you are planning an early spring or late fall trip, confirm the campground is open, since many close for winter.
How RVRents fits a Pennsylvania trip today
RVRents does not operate in Pennsylvania yet. Use this guide to plan, browse RVs from Pennsylvania owners listed on Outdoorsy through the link on this page, and join the waitlist to hear when RVRents delivery and setup service comes to the state.