13 Incredibly Scenic Pennsylvania Escapes That Cost Under $65
If you’re looking to escape the daily grind without emptying your wallet, Pennsylvania has some hidden gems that deliver breathtaking scenery for less than $65.
From serene lakesides to rolling hills and charming small towns, these escapes turn ordinary weekends into unforgettable mini-adventures.
Picture wandering along quiet trails, discovering panoramic views that make your camera jealous, or finding a cozy spot to sip coffee while the world slows down around you.
Whether you’re chasing a day of fresh air, a peaceful hike, or a new favorite viewpoint, each location promises a refreshing change of pace.
Pennsylvania’s beauty is more accessible than most realize, and at these spots, every moment feels like a little luxury without the luxury price tag.
1. Ricketts Glen State Park — Benton, PA
Waterfalls tumble down rocky cliffs at every turn, creating a natural spectacle that feels more like a tropical rainforest than rural Pennsylvania.
Twenty-two named waterfalls line the Falls Trail, a seven-mile loop that ranks among the most scenic hikes in the entire state.
Ganoga Falls, the tallest at 94 feet, steals the show with its powerful cascade that sends mist into the air year-round.
Hikers navigate stone steps and wooden bridges that wind through ancient hemlocks, some several hundred years old.
The trail demands sturdy footwear and a good dose of stamina, but every switchback rewards you with another postcard-perfect waterfall view.
Located near Benton in northeastern Pennsylvania, the park also offers fishing and camping for those who want to extend their stay beyond a simple day trip.
2. Ohiopyle State Park — Ohiopyle, PA
White water roars through the Youghiogheny River Gorge, turning this corner of southwestern Pennsylvania into an adrenaline paradise.
Rafters and kayakers flock here to tackle Class III and IV rapids that churn through seven miles of thrilling river runs.
If you prefer dry land, the park serves up over seventy miles of hiking and biking trails, including sections of the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail.
Ohiopyle Falls thunders right through the tiny town of Ohiopyle, creating a natural gathering spot where visitors snap photos and cool off on hot summer days.
Rock climbers scale sandstone cliffs while nature lovers explore Ferncliff Peninsula, a National Natural Landmark bursting with rare plant species.
Entry costs next to nothing, making this outdoor playground accessible to budget-conscious adventurers seeking mountain scenery and river thrills.
3. Presque Isle State Park — Erie, PA
A sandy peninsula juts into Lake Erie like a giant fishhook, creating Pennsylvania’s only seashore experience.
Seven miles of beaches stretch along the shoreline, offering swimming, sunbathing, and wave-watching that rivals ocean destinations.
Surfers catch waves during storm season, while birdwatchers flock here during spring and fall migrations when over 320 species pass through this critical stopover point.
The park features paved trails perfect for biking, kayak launches for paddling Presque Isle Bay, and a historic lighthouse that has guided ships since 1873.
Sunset views over the lake paint the sky in brilliant oranges and purples that attract photographers from across the region.
Located just outside Erie in the northwest corner of the state, this peninsula paradise charges minimal fees and delivers maximum scenic value.
4. Cherry Springs State Park — Coudersport, PA
Darkness reigns supreme at this internationally recognized dark sky park where the Milky Way blazes across the heavens with startling clarity.
Astronomers travel from across the country to set up telescopes in the designated astronomy observation field, one of the best stargazing spots east of the Mississippi.
On moonless nights, you can see thousands of stars, distant galaxies, and meteor showers that urban dwellers never knew existed.
The park sits atop a 2,300-foot plateau in north-central Pennsylvania, far from city lights that pollute the night sky elsewhere.
During the day, hiking trails wind through mountain forests, but the real magic happens after sunset when the universe puts on its greatest show.
Special stargazing events draw crowds, but any clear night offers a celestial display worth the drive to this remote Potter County location.
5. Cook Forest State Park — Cooksburg, PA
Towering white pines and hemlocks reach skyward in one of the most impressive old-growth forests remaining in the eastern United States.
Some of these giant trees have stood for over 350 years, creating a cathedral-like canopy that filters sunlight into golden beams.
The Forest Cathedral Natural Area preserves these ancient sentinels, offering visitors a rare glimpse of what Pennsylvania looked like before European settlement.
Clarion River winds through the park, providing excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities past forested hillsides ablaze with color each autumn.
Rock climbers test their skills on natural outcrops while hikers explore over twenty-seven miles of trails ranging from easy riverside strolls to challenging ridge climbs.
Located near Cooksburg in western Pennsylvania, this forest sanctuary costs nothing at all to enter but delivers memories that last far longer.
6. Kinzua Bridge State Park — Mount Jewett, PA
A tornado ripped through this engineering marvel in 2003, transforming a historic railroad viaduct into one of Pennsylvania’s most dramatic overlooks.
Once the longest and tallest railroad bridge in the world at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high, the structure now serves as a skywalk extending out over the valley floor far below.
Walking to the end of the remaining span delivers vertigo-inducing views and a profound sense of nature’s power over human construction.
The twisted wreckage of the collapsed section lies in the valley below, creating an eerie testament to the 2003 storm.
An interpretive center tells the bridge’s story, from its 1882 construction to its role in the lumber industry to its spectacular destruction.
Located near Mount Jewett in northwestern Pennsylvania, this site combines history, engineering, and natural beauty into one unforgettable budget-friendly destination.
7. Hickory Run State Park — White Haven, PA
A boulder field stretches across about sixteen acres like a frozen stone river, creating one of the strangest geological formations in the entire Appalachian region.
These massive rocks, some weighing several tons, tumbled into place during the last ice age when freeze-thaw cycles fractured bedrock and gravity pulled the pieces downhill.
Walking across the field requires careful foot placement and a sense of adventure as you hop from boulder to boulder.
Beyond this geological oddity, the park offers over forty miles of trails winding through mountain forests and along rushing streams.
Sand Spring Lake provides swimming and fishing opportunities, while Hawk Falls drops twenty-five feet into a rocky amphitheater that echoes with the sound of falling water.
Situated near White Haven in the Pocono Mountains, this diverse park packs incredible natural features into one affordable admission price.
8. Worlds End State Park — Forksville, PA
Steep canyon walls rise dramatically from Loyalsock Creek, creating a rugged wilderness that earned its apocalyptic name from early settlers who thought they had reached the edge of civilization.
The park delivers some of the most challenging and rewarding hiking in Pennsylvania, with trails climbing to overlooks that offer panoramic views of endless forested ridges.
Canyon Vista Trail leads to a breathtaking viewpoint where you can see the S-curve of Loyalsock Creek far below, snaking through the gorge.
Rock formations with names like High Rock and Cottonwood Falls add geological interest to the landscape, while the creek itself attracts anglers casting for trout in cold mountain waters.
Fall foliage transforms the canyon into a riot of reds, oranges, and golds that draw photographers and leaf-peepers from across the state.
Located near Forksville in Sullivan County, this remote park rewards adventurous spirits.
9. Pymatuning State Park — Jamestown, PA
Carp pack so densely at the spillway that ducks literally walk across their backs, creating a bizarre spectacle that has become a quirky Pennsylvania tradition.
Pymatuning Reservoir, one of the largest lakes in the state, stretches along the Pennsylvania-Ohio border and offers world-class fishing for walleye, muskellunge, and bass.
Boaters cruise seventeen miles of open water while anglers work the shoreline and submerged structure for trophy catches.
The famous spillway attracts families who toss bread to thousands of hungry carp that roil the water in a feeding frenzy.
Nearby, hiking trails, beaches, and camping areas provide plenty of recreational options beyond the fish-feeding phenomenon.
Located near Jamestown in Crawford County, this park combines natural beauty with offbeat entertainment at a price that leaves plenty of money for ice cream at the concession stand afterward.
10. Promised Land State Park — Greentown, PA
Shakers gave this Pocono plateau its Promised Land name in the 1800s, a wry nod to the rocky soil and tough conditions.
Two pristine lakes anchor the park, with Promised Land Lake offering excellent swimming beaches and boat launches while Lower Lake provides quieter fishing and wildlife watching opportunities.
Black bears, beavers, and white-tailed deer roam the surrounding forests, making wildlife sightings common for patient observers.
Over fifty miles of trails crisscross the park, including sections of the Bruce Lake Natural Area where old-growth hemlocks tower over hikers.
Winter transforms the landscape into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing paradise, with groomed trails winding through snow-covered forests.
Located near Greentown in the heart of the Poconos, this park delivers four-season recreation at a fraction of what nearby resorts charge for similar mountain experiences.
11. French Creek State Park — Elverson, PA
Two lakes, over thirty miles of trails, and seven thousand acres of rolling hills make this one of the largest and most diverse parks in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake provide swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities that draw families looking for easy water access and sandy beaches.
The lakes sit in valleys between forested ridges that blaze with autumn color and burst with wildflowers each spring.
Historic Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site borders the park, offering a glimpse into Pennsylvania’s iron-making past when charcoal fires and water-powered bellows turned local ore into tools and household goods.
Trail networks connect the two properties, allowing visitors to combine natural beauty with industrial history in one outing.
Located near Elverson in Chester County, this park provides a convenient nature escape for Philadelphia-area residents seeking scenery without a long drive or expensive admission fees.
12. Hyner View State Park — Renovo, PA
Hang gliders launch from this mountaintop overlook, soaring on thermal updrafts above the Susquehanna River valley a thousand feet below.
Even if you keep both feet on the ground, the view alone justifies the drive up the winding mountain road to this tiny park.
The West Branch of the Susquehanna River snakes through farmland and forest far below, creating a patchwork landscape that shifts with the seasons.
The overlook platform extends to the edge of the cliff, providing unobstructed views that stretch for miles in every direction.
Photographers arrive before dawn to capture sunrise over the valley, while sunset seekers watch the sky ignite in brilliant colors as the sun drops behind distant ridges.
Located near Renovo in Clinton County, this park proves that you do not need hundreds of acres to deliver world-class scenery when you have the right vantage point.
13. Bald Eagle State Park — Howard, PA
Bald eagles nest along the shoreline of this 1,730-acre reservoir, giving the park its name and providing spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities during winter months.
The lake, created by damming Bald Eagle Creek, offers year-round fishing for bass, walleye, and muskellunge that attract serious anglers seeking trophy catches.
Boaters cruise the reservoir while paddlers explore quieter coves where great blue herons stalk the shallows and ospreys plunge for fish.
A paved trail system follows the shoreline, perfect for biking or leisurely walks with views across the water to forested hillsides.
The beach area provides swimming during summer months, while picnic areas scattered throughout the park offer scenic lunch spots.
Located near Howard in Centre County, this park combines excellent fishing, boating, and wildlife watching at a price that leaves plenty in your budget for tackle and snacks at the local bait shop.