State Parks Near Altoona, Pennsylvania
20 state park units lie within 50 miles of Altoona. The closest is Canoe Creek State Park, about 6 mi east of town. 5 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Canoe Creek State Park6 mi east
- Within 25 miles
- 5of 20 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 1411 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 10pets allowed
State parks near Altoona, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Altoona; driving distance is usually longer.
Canoe Creek State Park
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, golf, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 12 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Canoe Creek State Park →Prince Gallitzin State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and golf. The official site lists about 65 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Prince Gallitzin State Park →Blue Knob State Park
Things to do include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 23 miles, according to the park. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool.
Hours, fees and rules for Blue Knob State Park →Trough Creek State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. The official site lists about 12 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Trough Creek State Park →Warriors Path State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Its trail network totals roughly 3 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Warriors Path State Park →Whipple Dam State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Whipple Dam State Park →Yellow Creek State Park
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 5 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Yellow Creek State Park →Laurel Ridge State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 70 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Laurel Ridge State Park →Black Moshannon State Park
Popular activities here are snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 20 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Black Moshannon State Park →Greenwood Furnace State Park
Things to do include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Greenwood Furnace State Park →Shawnee State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, golf, and disc golf. Its trail network totals roughly 16 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Shawnee State Park →Penn-Roosevelt State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, winter sports, and hunting in season. For overnight stays there are 18 campsites (RV sites and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Penn-Roosevelt State Park →Simon B. Elliott State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 3 miles, according to the park. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Simon B. Elliott State Park →Big Spring State Park
The park supports snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 1.0 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Spring State Park →Cowans Gap State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. The official site lists about 13 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Cowans Gap State Park →Laurel Summit State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, horseback riding, and winter sports.
Hours, fees and rules for Laurel Summit State Park →Fowlers Hollow State Park
The park supports snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and winter sports. Camping is available: 12 campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups and tent sites. The park says there are no showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Fowlers Hollow State Park →Parker Dam State Park
The park supports snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. The official site lists about 13.1 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Parker Dam State Park →Laurel Mountain State Park
Things to do include winter sports.
Hours, fees and rules for Laurel Mountain State Park →Linn Run State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, winter sports, and hunting in season. Its trail network totals roughly 25 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Linn Run State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Altoona
- Prince Gallitzin State Park 13 mi northwest · 84 campsites
- Blue Knob State Park 19 mi southwest · 50 campsites
- Trough Creek State Park 20 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Warriors Path State Park 23 mi south · Campground listed
- Yellow Creek State Park 32 mi west · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Altoona
- Canoe Creek State Park 6 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Prince Gallitzin State Park 13 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Blue Knob State Park 19 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Trough Creek State Park 20 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Yellow Creek State Park 32 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
+ 6 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Altoona
- Prince Gallitzin State Park 13 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Trough Creek State Park 20 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Yellow Creek State Park 32 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Black Moshannon State Park 33 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Greenwood Furnace State Park 35 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 5 more in the list above
Swimming near Altoona
- Canoe Creek State Park 6 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Prince Gallitzin State Park 13 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Blue Knob State Park 19 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Whipple Dam State Park 31 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Yellow Creek State Park 32 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 5 more in the list above
Hiking near Altoona
- Canoe Creek State Park 6 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Prince Gallitzin State Park 13 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Blue Knob State Park 19 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Trough Creek State Park 20 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Warriors Path State Park 23 mi south · Hiking trails listed
+ 13 more in the list above
Fishing near Altoona
- Canoe Creek State Park 6 mi east · Fishing listed
- Prince Gallitzin State Park 13 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Blue Knob State Park 19 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Trough Creek State Park 20 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Warriors Path State Park 23 mi south · Fishing listed
+ 10 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Altoona
What is the closest state park to Altoona?
Canoe Creek State Park is the closest, about 6 miles east of Altoona in a straight line. Next are Prince Gallitzin State Park and Blue Knob State Park.
How many state parks are near Altoona?
20 state park units are within 50 miles, and 5 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Altoona have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being Prince Gallitzin State Park, Blue Knob State Park and Trough Creek State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Altoona?
Yes, at 10 parks, including Prince Gallitzin State Park, Trough Creek State Park and Yellow Creek State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Altoona?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near State College, PA35 mi northeast
- Near Chambersburg, PA56 mi southeast
- Near Cumberland, MD62 mi south
- Near St. Marys, PA66 mi north
- Near Murrysville, PA66 mi west
- Near Carlisle, PA67 mi east
- Near Hagerstown, MD70 mi southeast
- Near Monroeville, PA72 mi west
Or see all Pennsylvania state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.