State Parks Near Lancaster, Pennsylvania
32 state park units lie within 50 miles of Lancaster, including 16 parks across the line in Maryland and Delaware. The closest is Samuel S. Lewis State Park, about 14 mi west of town. 4 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Samuel S. Lewis State Park14 mi west
- Within 25 miles
- 4of 32 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 104 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 7pets allowed
State parks near Lancaster, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Lancaster; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →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 →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 →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 →Rocks State Park
The official site lists about 3.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Rocks State Park →French Creek State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 35 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for French Creek State Park →Palmer State Park
Palmer State Park is a park in Harford County, about 7 miles northeast of Bel Air.
Hours, fees and rules for Palmer 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 →Susquehanna State Park
Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehanna State Park →Marsh Creek State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and winter sports. The official site lists about 19.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Marsh Creek State Park →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 →Big Elk Creek State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 3 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Elk Creek 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 →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 →White Clay Creek Preserve
The park supports cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek Preserve →Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area
Covering about 815 acres, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area lies in Cecil County, about 4 miles northwest of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area →White Clay Creek State Park
Covering about 3,520 acres, White Clay Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek State Park →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 →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 →Auburn Valley State Park
Auburn Valley State Park is a park in New Castle County, about 4 miles southeast of Kennett Square.
Hours, fees and rules for Auburn Valley State Park →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 →Gunpowder Falls State Park
The official site lists about 120 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Gunpowder Falls State Park →Brandywine Creek State Park
Covering about 934 acres, Brandywine Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Elsmere.
Hours, fees and rules for Brandywine Creek State Park →Elk Neck State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Elk Neck State Park →Alapocas Run State Park
In New Castle County, about 3 miles northeast of Elsmere, Alapocas Run State Park covers about 233 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Alapocas Run State Park →Wilmington State Parks
Wilmington State Parks is a park in New Castle County, in Wilmington.
Hours, fees and rules for Wilmington State Parks →Lums Pond State Park
Covering about 1,863 acres, Lums Pond State Park lies in New Castle County, about 6 miles southeast of Elkton.
Hours, fees and rules for Lums Pond State Park →Ridley Creek State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, and biking. The official site lists about 13 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Ridley Creek State Park →Bellevue State Park
Covering about 272 acres, Bellevue State Park lies in New Castle County, in Bellefonte.
Hours, fees and rules for Bellevue State Park →Fox Point State Park
In New Castle County, about 2 miles northeast of Bellefonte, Fox Point State Park covers about 107 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fox Point State Park →Evansburg State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 6 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Evansburg State Park →Fort Delaware State Park
In New Castle County, in Delaware City, Fort Delaware State Park covers about 256 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Delaware State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Lancaster
- Susquehannock State Park 16 mi south · Campground listed
- French Creek State Park 29 mi east · 16 campsites
- Susquehanna State Park 31 mi south · Campground listed
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 31 mi west · 289 campsites
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area 35 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Lancaster
- French Creek State Park 29 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 31 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Codorus State Park 37 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Elk Neck State Park 42 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Lancaster
- French Creek State Park 29 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 31 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail 34 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area 35 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Codorus State Park 37 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 2 more in the list above
Swimming near Lancaster
- French Creek State Park 29 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Marsh Creek State Park 31 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 31 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Codorus State Park 37 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Elk Neck State Park 42 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Lancaster
- Samuel S. Lewis State Park 14 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Susquehannock State Park 16 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Susquehanna Riverlands State Park 18 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center 25 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- French Creek State Park 29 mi east · Hiking trails listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Fishing near Lancaster
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center 25 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- French Creek State Park 29 mi east · Fishing listed
- Memorial Lake State Park 31 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Marsh Creek State Park 31 mi east · Fishing listed
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 31 mi west · Fishing listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Lancaster
What is the closest state park to Lancaster?
Samuel S. Lewis State Park is the closest, about 14 miles west of Lancaster in a straight line. Next are Susquehannock State Park and Susquehanna Riverlands State Park.
How many state parks are near Lancaster?
32 state park units are within 50 miles, and 4 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Lancaster have camping?
10 parks list camping, the nearest being Susquehannock State Park, French Creek State Park and Susquehanna State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Lancaster?
Yes, at 7 parks, including French Creek State Park, Gifford Pinchot State Park and Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Lancaster?
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 Ephrata, PA12 mi northeast
- Near Lebanon, PA22 mi north
- Near York, PA23 mi west
- Near Coatesville, PA26 mi east
- Near Reading, PA29 mi northeast
- Near Harrisburg, PA35 mi northwest
- Near Bel Air, MD35 mi south
- Near Aberdeen, MD37 mi south
Or see all Pennsylvania state parks, Maryland state parks, Delaware 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.