State Parks Near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
23 state park units lie within 50 miles of Harrisburg, including 1 park across the line in Maryland. The closest is Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area, about 6 mi north of town. 8 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area6 mi north
- Within 25 miles
- 8of 23 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 126 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 11pets allowed
State parks near Harrisburg, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Harrisburg; driving distance is usually longer.
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, and hiking. The official site lists about 12 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area →Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area
Things to do include cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 8.4 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area →Gifford Pinchot State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 18 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Gifford Pinchot State Park →Memorial Lake State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. The official site lists about 2 miles of trails. Water access includes a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Memorial Lake State Park →Little Buffalo State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and swimming. The official site lists about 8 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Little Buffalo State Park →Susquehanna Riverlands State Park
Popular activities here are boating and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 4 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehanna Riverlands State Park →Swatara State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. Its trail network totals roughly 34 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Swatara State Park →Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
Visitors come for hunting in season, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 25 miles of trails. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Kings Gap Environmental Education Center →Samuel S. Lewis State Park
Visitors come for golf, disc golf, winter sports, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 1.6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Samuel S. Lewis State Park →Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, and hunting in season. Its trail network totals roughly 4 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Pine Grove Furnace State Park →Colonel Denning State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Colonel Denning State Park →Codorus State Park
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Its trail network totals roughly 19 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Codorus 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 →Caledonia State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, golf, winter sports, hunting in season, and swimming. The official site lists about 10 miles of trails. Water access includes a swimming pool and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Caledonia 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 →Shikellamy State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 1.1 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Shikellamy State Park →Reeds Gap State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, fishing, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Reeds Gap State Park →Susquehannock State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 5.6 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehannock State Park →Mont Alto State Park
Popular activities here are snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for Mont Alto State Park →Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail
Covering about 330 acres, Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail lies in Baltimore County, about 7 miles south of New Freedom.
Hours, fees and rules for Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail →Poe Paddy State Park
Things to do include snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, fishing, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 3.5 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Poe Paddy State Park →Poe Valley State Park
The park supports snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. The official site lists about 3 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Poe Valley State Park →Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
Things to do include cross-country skiing, winter sports, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 10 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Harrisburg
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 13 mi south · 289 campsites
- Little Buffalo State Park 20 mi northwest · 46 campsites
- Kings Gap Environmental Education Center 24 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park 28 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Colonel Denning State Park 28 mi west · Campground listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Harrisburg
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 13 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Little Buffalo State Park 20 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park 28 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Codorus State Park 34 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Caledonia State Park 40 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
+ 1 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Harrisburg
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 13 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Little Buffalo State Park 20 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park 28 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Colonel Denning State Park 28 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Codorus State Park 34 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 6 more in the list above
Swimming near Harrisburg
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 13 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Little Buffalo State Park 20 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park 28 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Colonel Denning State Park 28 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Codorus State Park 34 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 2 more in the list above
Hiking near Harrisburg
- Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area 6 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area 12 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 13 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Memorial Lake State Park 18 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Little Buffalo State Park 20 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 17 more in the list above
Fishing near Harrisburg
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 13 mi south · Fishing listed
- Memorial Lake State Park 18 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Little Buffalo State Park 20 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Swatara State Park 23 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park 28 mi southwest · Fishing listed
+ 10 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Harrisburg
What is the closest state park to Harrisburg?
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area is the closest, about 6 miles north of Harrisburg in a straight line. Next are Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area and Gifford Pinchot State Park.
How many state parks are near Harrisburg?
23 state park units are within 50 miles, and 8 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Harrisburg have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Gifford Pinchot State Park, Little Buffalo State Park and Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Harrisburg?
Yes, at 11 parks, including Gifford Pinchot State Park, Little Buffalo State Park and Pine Grove Furnace 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 Harrisburg?
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 Carlisle, PA18 mi west
- Near York, PA23 mi south
- Near Lebanon, PA25 mi east
- Near Hanover, PA32 mi south
- Near Lancaster, PA35 mi southeast
- Near Ephrata, PA38 mi east
- Near Pottsville, PA45 mi northeast
- Near Chambersburg, PA47 mi southwest
Or see all Pennsylvania state parks, Maryland 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.