Adventure Awaits at the Most Beautiful Places in Pennsylvania

From Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater to stargazing, experience the state's magnificent wonders.

Someone wise once said “nature is the best medicine.” Turns out there’s something to that. Exposure to nature has been linked to everything from improved mental health to better sleep and luckily for us in Pennsylvania, nature is in no short supply.

Between the shores of reflective lakes to the tips of snow-peaked mountains, Pennsylvania is packed with stunning vistas. Whether you consider yourself outdoorsy or simply love to admire beautiful scenery, there’s something magnificent for everyone to bask in. Along with seasonal outings to the Best Beaches Near Philly and Leaf Peeping Near Philly, here are the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania to enjoy all year.

Beautiful places near me in Pennsylvania
Bushkill Falls | Photo credit: Ali Majdfar, via Getty Images

Beautiful Places in Eastern Pennsylvania

Lehigh County
Just outside of Allentown on the Appalachian Trail, the overlook known as Bake Oven Knob is only about half a mile away from a parking area. Sure, the short hike is rocky, but the views are worth it. Enjoy panoramic vistas of forest and farmland that change with the season (red and orange trees in the fall, snow-covered fields in the winter, and lush green land in the summer).

Berks County
Constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1979, this man-made lake features a swimming area, boat launches, and nearly 30 miles of hiking trails. With trails that border the lake, you can get an excellent view of the water from all angles by foot, bike, or horse. Surrounded by freshly manicured lawns and lush trees, the lake is an idyllic spot for a swim and a picnic.

Pike County
Dubbed the Niagara of Pennsylvania, this collection of eight waterfalls does require a minor admission fee to view, but the site offers plenty to do including four trails of varying difficulty, ranging from 15 minutes to two hours, birdwatching, and fishing. Just over a two-and-a-half hour drive from Philly, the falls make for a scenic day trip from the city.

Monroe County
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area spans 40 miles along the Delaware River, and in the southernmost part of the park, near Stroudsburg, is where the Delaware River cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge, creating the water gap itself. This scenic natural phenomenon is covered in trees, providing a stark contrast between the sky above and the river below. There are a number of hikes that lead to overlooks on both the NJ and Pennsylvania sides of the river, including the difficult, one-mile Mt. Tammany Trail.

Wayne County
If you’re looking for a view with fewer trees, head out to Irving Cliff, which offers views of the quaint town of Honesdale. Named after Washington Irving (of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” fame) who supposedly felt an intense desire to climb the cliff when he visited in 1841, there’s a one-mile moderate trail that’ll get you to the peak of the cliff. The reward is not only a bird’s-eye-view of Honesdale, but glimpses of the Moosic Mountains and Lackawaxen River.

Berks County
With multiple routes of varying length all leading to the second-highest elevation in Berks County, the Pinnacle features some of the best views of the Lehigh Valley. Keep in mind: the shortest route is at least seven miles, round trip and it’s a little steep to get to the top. But the effort is worth the bird watching and nature gazing at the top.

Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia Counties
Over the course of 13,193 acres, you’ll encounter 26 miles of hiking trails, ranging from less than one mile to just over seven, and 22 waterfalls. The seven-mile hiking trail, while the most difficult, gets you views of nearly all of said waterfalls. The sprawling park has over 100 campsites, so start a fire and spend the night under the open sky.

Beautiful places near me in Pennsylvania
Cherry Springs State Park under the Milky Way. | Photo credit: Michael Ver Spirll, via Getty Images

Beautiful Places in Central Pennsylvania

Potter County
Built in 1909 by the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company, the Austin Dam was constructed to power the Bayless papermill. Two years later, however, the dam failed, destroying the papermill and the towns of Austin and Costello. These days, the ruins still exist, and huge remnants of the concrete wall stand amid a grassy meadow. Plus, there are hiking trails and an area where you can stand perched over the ruins for an incredible view.

Potter County
Unfortunately, for most of us living on the East Coast, light pollution is a serious problem when trying to stargaze—that is unless you head to Cherry Springs State Park in Northern PA. The park is one of the only “dark sky” areas on the East Coast, and the location is so isolated that you see tons of stars, asteroids, Venus, the Milky Way, and more with the naked eye during optimal conditions. So keep that in mind the next time the Blood Moon shows up in 2025.

Centre County
Legend has it, forbidden lovers, Seneca woman Nita-nee and her French trapper boo, Malachi Boyer, ran away, only to be captured and then have Malachi thrown into this cave to die. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, visitors can tour Penn’s Cave entirely by boat. You’ll see stalactites and stalagmites and learn about how dripping water sculpted the stone.

Tioga, Lycoming, and Clinton counties
Colloquially known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, this 47-mile gorge provides a number of overlooks offering supreme views of the canyon up to 1,450 feet below at its deepest point. For the most scenic overlooks, make your way to Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks where you can hike short lengths to reach primo viewing spots. Pitch a tent and camp, or in the winter months, traverse the 177 miles of snowmobile trails.

Huntingdon County
For views of the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania—that would be Raystown Lake—hike up to Ridenour and Hawn’s Overlooks for a sunrise (or sunset) you won’t soon forget. Ridenour Overlook is right next to the parking area and is wheelchair accessible, and Hawn’s Overlook is about a half-mile beyond that. The trail isn’t very steep and should be doable for the whole family. When it comes to views, enjoy Raystown Lake dam at Ridenour and at Hawn’s, take in the 180-degrees of the tree-filled peninsulas and islands that jut into the lake.

Beautiful places near me in Pennsylvania
Mount Washington Overlook | Flickr/Can Pac Swire

Beautiful Places in Western Pennsylvania

Clarion, Forest, and Jefferson Counties
Two hours north of Pittsburgh sits Cook Forest, an 11,500-acre state park filled with mountainous hills, white pine and hemlock trees, and the Clarion River. It’s one of the lesser-known state parks, which doesn’t make it any less beautiful. While you could always take a hike, one of the best ways to experience Cook Forest is to take a kayak, canoe, or tube out for a leisurely float down the river.

Fayette County
Where architecture meets nature, Fallingwater is a house that sits over a waterfall, designed in 1935 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark, visitors can tour both the interior of the house and the grounds from March through the end of December. See how the building relates to the mountainous surroundings as well as custom furniture inside the house.

Lawrence County
About 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh is this 2,546-acre park, featuring its namesake mill and covered bridge, both built in the 1800s. (Park at the Kildoo Picnic Area and hike down some stairs to check it out.) With 11 miles of trails that traverse the Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, you’ve got a variety of options if you want to peep the mill and covered bridge, waterfalls, and creeks.

Allegheny County
See Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle and the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to form the Ohio River from 450-feet up. The iconic view of the city is accessible via two historic inclines: Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline, both of which will take you to the top. Take one incline up, walk about a mile while taking in the sights, and then take the other line back down.

Fayette County
Located in Southwestern Pennsylvania, right near the West Virginia and Maryland borders, Ohiopyle is one of the most visited state parks in the Keystone State. At Ohiopyle, visitors have their choice of outdoor activities—including camping, hiking trails, and hunting—but the park is probably best known for the 7-mile stretch of the Youghiogheny River that contains some of the best whitewater rafting on the East Coast. Try riding your bike along the river for some scenic views.

Erie County
On the banks of Lake Erie is this 3,200-acre Western PA version of the seashore. Naturally, you can partake in any and all water activities like swimming, boating, fishing, and surfing, plus some land activities too: hiking, biking, and ice skating on the lake in the winter. For an extra quaint time, don’t miss the Presque Isle Lighthouse.

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Allie Volpe is a writer based in Philadelphia. She hasn't slept in days. Follow her on Twitter @allieevolpe.