Which Pennsylvania state park has the most visitors?

With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about which of Pennsylvania's 124 state parks you'd like to visit this year.

Do you know where the busiest is? Wesley Robinson, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said state parks are able to monitor the number of visitors with traffic meters on the roads at the entrance gates.

Using this data, he was able to determine the ten most visited state parks of 2023.

This is how the numbers developed.

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No. 10 Ohiopyle State Park

Located in Fayette County, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses approximately 20,500 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. The DCNR estimates that 890,000 people visited Ohiopyle last year. It is home to waterfalls, a section of the Great Allegheny Passage hiking and biking trails, and some of the best whitewater rafting in the eastern United States on the Youghiogheny River.

When winter conditions permit, adventurous people enjoy climbing the ice surrounding the falls.

The town of Ohiopyle is part of the park community and offers a wide variety of dining and lodging options.

#9 Marsh Creek State Park

Marsh Creek State Park welcomed 938,000 visitors to the rolling hills of north-central Chester County in the Downingtown area. The 1,784-acre park includes the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, which is a great place for fishing, sailing and watching migrating waterfowl.

#8 Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park in Bucks County offers a quiet respite from the nearby city of Philadelphia.

A million people visited the 1,711-acre state park last year to spend time in the forests and farm-like natural area.

Neshaminy Creek flows through the park and visitors enjoy boating on all-electric watercraft. Additionally, there are 25 miles of hiking trails to explore in the region.

No. 7 Moraine State Park

Last year, 1.1 million people spent time in Moraine State Park in western Pennsylvania. The park near Portersville is home to the 3,225-acre Lake Arthur, which offers 42 miles of shoreline to enjoy.

It is a popular destination for boaters, picnickers, hikers, cyclists, equestrians, campers and swimmers spread throughout the park's 16,725-acre area.

The DCNR describes the park as an outstanding example of environmental achievements. Visitors may not realize that the land has been impacted by continental glaciers and oil and gas development.

No. 6 Nockamixon State Park

In southeastern Pennsylvania, near New Jersey, about 1.2 million visitors spent time at Nockamixon State Park last year. The 5,286-acre facility is located in the rolling hills of Bucks County in Quakertown. According to the DCNR, it's close enough to Philadelphia for a day trip but far enough away for a vacation.

Tohickon Creek, Three Mile Run and Haycock Run flow into the 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon, which is a rest stop for migratory waterfowl and a destination for boaters and anglers.

The park has something to offer for almost everyone. Popular activities include camping, picnicking, swimming in the pool, hiking, biking, disc golf, hunting, fishing and boating.

No. 5 Codorus State Park

In southeastern Pennsylvania, about 1.3 million people visited Codorus State Park in the rolling hills of York County in the Hanover area.

The 3,500-acre facility includes the 1,275-acre Marburg Lake with 26 miles of shoreline. The waterway serves as a resting place for migrating waterbirds and wading birds. The lake is popular with sailing and motorboating enthusiasts, as well as anglers looking for warm-water fish. Trout anglers spend their time on Codorus Creek.

No. 4 Point State Park

Not all state parks are in rural areas.

Point State Park in Pittsburgh had 1.5 million visitors. The park is located at the confluence of the Monongahela, Ohio and Allegheny rivers and at the tip of the city's “Golden Triangle.”

The park, which is a National Historic Landmark, honors the area's strategic and historical legacy during the French and Indian War between 1754 and 1763.

DCNR notes that it is working with the Heinz History Center and the Fort Pitt Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution to interpret the history of the Forks of the Ohio.

No. 3 Prince Gallitzin State Park

Prince Gallitzin State Park in northern Cambria County was home to 1.8 million people in 2023.

The rolling hills offer scenic views of the 1,635-acre Glendale Lake and 26 miles of shoreline. It is a destination for anglers, boaters, hikers and campers.

It is also a good place for wildlife viewing, including bird watching during spring and fall migrations.

No. 2 Pymatuning State Park

About 3.5 million people visited Pymatuning State Park in Jamestown last year. At 16,892 acres, it is one of the largest state parks in the Commonwealth.

The 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in the Commonwealth and extends into Ohio.

The park is known for boating, fishing, swimming, camping and other recreational opportunities. It is the only place where you can fish for walleye 12 months of the year. Carp are also plentiful in the lake and there is a visitor stop where you can feed the large fish with bread as they pass under a road.

#1 Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park in Erie attracted 3.9 million visitors last year. The facility features a 3,200-acre sand peninsula that arches into Lake Erie.

It is described as Pennsylvania's only “coastal” because it is quite similar to a seaside destination, but without the salt water. Presque Isle features a scenic coastline and many recreational activities including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking and rollerblading. The lake is a prime fishing area for walleye, lake trout, perch, perch and steelhead.

It is also a popular place to watch migratory birds in spring and autumn.

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This is a look at how the parks ranked last year, but note that the numbers are subject to change.

In monitoring attendance, Robinson found that these parks are typically in the top 10, but occasionally the parks ranked 3rd through 7th go back and forth for a few years.

As you think about where you want to spend your time this summer, keep in mind that there are also 114 other state parks scattered throughout the commonwealth. The DCNR website has lots of information about what is available and how to reserve a campsite.

Have fun camping, hiking, fishing and boating this summer.

Brian Whipkey is an outdoor columnist for the USA TODAY Network's Pennsylvania locations. Contact him at [email protected] and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA email newsletter using your login name on the home page of this website. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoorsand Instagram at Whipkey outdoors.

csibon

No. 7 Moraine State Park

No. 6 Nockamixon State Park

No. 5 Codorus State Park

No. 4 Point State Park

No. 3 Prince Gallitzin State Park

No. 2 Pymatuning State Park

#1 Presque Isle State Park

Anna Harden

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No. 10 Ohiopyle State Park

#9 Marsh Creek State Park

#8 Tyler State Park

No. 7 Moraine State Park

No. 6 Nockamixon State Park

No. 5 Codorus State Park

No. 4 Point State Park

No. 3 Prince Gallitzin State Park

No. 2 Pymatuning State Park

#1 Presque Isle State Park

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