State Parks Near Pottsville, Pennsylvania
19 state park units lie within 50 miles of Pottsville. The closest is Locust Lake State Park, about 9 mi northeast of town. 3 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Locust Lake State Park9 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 3of 19 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 64 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 5pets allowed
State parks near Pottsville, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Pottsville; driving distance is usually longer.
Locust Lake State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. The official site lists about 75 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Locust Lake State Park →Tuscarora State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Tuscarora 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 →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 →Hickory Run State Park
Things to do include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, golf, winter sports, and disc golf. Its trail network totals roughly 40 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a swimming beach and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Hickory Run 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 →Beltzville State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, mountain biking, winter sports, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. Its trail network totals roughly 15 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Beltzville State Park →Nescopeck State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, fishing, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 19 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Nescopeck 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 →Lehigh Gorge State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and boating. The official site lists about 33 miles of trails. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Lehigh Gorge 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 →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 →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 →Milton State Park
Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 3.5 miles, according to the park. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Milton State Park →Ricketts Glen State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, winter sports, and hunting in season. The official site lists about 26 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Ricketts Glen State Park →Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. Its trail network totals roughly 19 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center →Frances Slocum State Park
The park supports snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. The official site lists about 13.7 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Frances Slocum 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 →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 →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Pottsville
- Locust Lake State Park 9 mi northeast · 282 campsites
- Tuscarora State Park 13 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Hickory Run State Park 30 mi northeast · 17 campsites
- French Creek State Park 40 mi southeast · 16 campsites
- Ricketts Glen State Park 46 mi north · 120 campsites
+ 1 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Pottsville
- Tuscarora State Park 13 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Hickory Run State Park 30 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- French Creek State Park 40 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Ricketts Glen State Park 46 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Pottsville
- Locust Lake State Park 9 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Tuscarora State Park 13 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- French Creek State Park 40 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Ricketts Glen State Park 46 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Frances Slocum State Park 49 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Pottsville
- Locust Lake State Park 9 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Tuscarora State Park 13 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Hickory Run State Park 30 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Beltzville State Park 33 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- French Creek State Park 40 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 3 more in the list above
Hiking near Pottsville
- Locust Lake State Park 9 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Tuscarora State Park 13 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Swatara State Park 22 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Memorial Lake State Park 27 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Hickory Run State Park 30 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
+ 14 more in the list above
Fishing near Pottsville
- Locust Lake State Park 9 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Tuscarora State Park 13 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Swatara State Park 22 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Memorial Lake State Park 27 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Hickory Run State Park 30 mi northeast · Fishing listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Pottsville
What is the closest state park to Pottsville?
Locust Lake State Park is the closest, about 9 miles northeast of Pottsville in a straight line. Next are Tuscarora State Park and Swatara State Park.
How many state parks are near Pottsville?
19 state park units are within 50 miles, and 3 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Pottsville have camping?
6 parks list camping, the nearest being Locust Lake State Park, Tuscarora State Park and Hickory Run State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Pottsville?
Yes, at 5 parks, including Locust Lake State Park, Tuscarora State Park and French 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 Pottsville?
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 Hazleton, PA22 mi northeast
- Near Bloomsburg, PA26 mi northwest
- Near Lebanon, PA26 mi southwest
- Near Reading, PA28 mi southeast
- Near Ephrata, PA35 mi south
- Near Northampton, PA38 mi east
- Near Allentown, PA39 mi east
- Near Pottstown, PA42 mi southeast
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.