State Parks Near Reading, Pennsylvania
33 state park units lie within 50 miles of Reading, including 9 parks across the line in Delaware and Maryland and New Jersey. The closest is Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, about 5 mi south of town. 3 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center5 mi south
- Within 25 miles
- 3of 33 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 94 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 4pets allowed
State parks near Reading, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Reading; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →Norristown Farm Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, fishing, biking, and picnicking. Water access includes a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Norristown Farm 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 →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 →Nockamixon State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, and horseback riding. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Nockamixon 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 →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 →Fort Washington State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, golf, winter sports, disc golf, and biking. The official site lists about 3.5 miles of trails. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Washington State Park →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →Ralph Stover State Park
Popular activities here are rock climbing, boating, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Ralph Stover State Park →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 →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 →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 →Wilmington State Parks
Wilmington State Parks is a park in New Castle County, in Wilmington.
Hours, fees and rules for Wilmington State Parks →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 →Delaware Canal State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Its trail network totals roughly 60 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Delaware Canal State Park →Bulls Island Recreation Area
Things to do include boating and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Bulls Island Recreation Area →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 →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Reading
- French Creek State Park 12 mi southeast · 16 campsites
- Evansburg State Park 29 mi east · Campground listed
- Locust Lake State Park 32 mi north · 282 campsites
- Tuscarora State Park 33 mi north · Campground listed
- Ridley Creek State Park 37 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Reading
- French Creek State Park 12 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Tuscarora State Park 33 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Nockamixon State Park 37 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Hickory Run State Park 47 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Reading
- French Creek State Park 12 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Locust Lake State Park 32 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Tuscarora State Park 33 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area 45 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Reading
- French Creek State Park 12 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Marsh Creek State Park 22 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Locust Lake State Park 32 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Tuscarora State Park 33 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Nockamixon State Park 37 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 2 more in the list above
Hiking near Reading
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center 5 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- French Creek State Park 12 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Marsh Creek State Park 22 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Evansburg State Park 29 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Locust Lake State Park 32 mi north · Hiking trails listed
+ 18 more in the list above
Fishing near Reading
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center 5 mi south · Fishing listed
- French Creek State Park 12 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Marsh Creek State Park 22 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Evansburg State Park 29 mi east · Fishing listed
- Locust Lake State Park 32 mi north · Fishing listed
+ 14 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Reading
What is the closest state park to Reading?
Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center is the closest, about 5 miles south of Reading in a straight line. Next are French Creek State Park and Marsh Creek State Park.
How many state parks are near Reading?
33 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 Reading have camping?
9 parks list camping, the nearest being French Creek State Park, Evansburg State Park and Locust Lake State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Reading?
Yes, at 4 parks, including French Creek State Park, Locust Lake State Park and Tuscarora 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 Reading?
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 Pottstown, PA16 mi east
- Near Ephrata, PA17 mi southwest
- Near Coatesville, PA25 mi south
- Near Lebanon, PA26 mi west
- Near Pottsville, PA28 mi northwest
- Near Lancaster, PA29 mi southwest
- Near Allentown, PA29 mi northeast
- Near West Chester, PA31 mi southeast
Or see all Pennsylvania state parks, Delaware state parks, Maryland state parks, New Jersey 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.