State Park and Forest Overnight Reservation Prices and Policies
Staying overnight in Pennsylvania state parks and in many cases, state forests require that reservations be made in advance.
Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance for most state park overnight stays and most of the state forest equestrian and motorized roadside campsites and camping areas. Reservations for the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle can be made up to 24 months in advance.
Reservations for staying overnight in state parks and forests can be made using the Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Reservations website or by calling 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday through Saturday, 7:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Reservations can be made using:
- MasterCard
- VISA
- American Express
- Discover
- Personal, traveler’s, and cashier’s checks
- Pennsylvania state parks gift card
State Park Overnight Prices and Services
A listing of prices for specific Pennsylvania state park accommodations and activities can be found under the following links:
These prices are effective as of Saturday, January 30, 2021.
There are no entrance fees or day use fees for any state park in Pennsylvania.
State Forest Overnight Prices
Pennsylvania state forest equestrian and motorized roadside campsites and camping areas can be reserved for a fee of $10.00 a night for Pennsylvania residents and $15.00 a night for non-residents.
There will continue to be no fee for most trailside, backpack camping (primitive) and water trail camping, which provide a backcountry experience.
Backpack camping is typically done at trailside campsites on one of the 18 designated, longer-distance, state forest hiking trails; and does not allow for access to motorized vehicles during overnight stays.
There will be a few, select, designated trailside campsites offered in the reservation system, such as the camping areas along the Pine Creek Rail Trail, which will include the camping fee.
A free primitive camping permit is required if a backpacker desires an emergency point-of-contact or if a campfire is requested during the annual spring wildfire season (March, April, and May).
Camping permits are also required for primitive camping at the same site for more than one night.
To request a primitive backpacking permit, please contact the state forest district office for where you will be camping.
These prices are effective as of November 3, 2022.
There are no entrance fees or day use fees for any state forest in Pennsylvania.
Transaction Fee
DCNR charges a $6.50 non-refundable transaction fee on all reservations and registrations. The department will not refund this fee if the reservation is cancelled or transferred.
DCNR cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the department for the reservation system.
Changes to a Reservation
DCNR assesses a non-refundable $10.00 fee per reservation for all changes made to a reservation, except for adding nights to the reservation.
The department will not refund this fee in the event of a change or cancellation in any situation.
DCNR cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the department for the reservation system.
Please note that customers with reservations made at the maximum window (11 months to the day), or with a departure date after the maximum booking window, are not permitted to move or cancel their reservation for 22 days.
After 22 days, customers can change or move their reservation for a $10.00 transfer fee.
Changes prior to the day of arrival to any online reservation or call center reservation must be made by calling the Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Reservation Center at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday through Saturday, 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, except for backpack camping changes, which are handled by the specific park or forest.
Changes on the day of arrival must go through the state park or forest where you have a reservation. There are no refunds for early departure of any part of a holiday weekend reservation once the site has been occupied.
DCNR will not accept changes via social media.
If a reservation receives the weekly discounted rate, any change that results in shortening the stay will cause the customer to lose the benefit of the weekly rate.
A new daily rate will be calculated for the remaining dates, which will affect any amount refunded.
Cabin reservations for the summer peak season will forfeit their entire fee if cancelled.
Cancellation of a Reservation
Cancellations can be made via the call center or website up to the day before arrival. Any cancellation on the day of arrival must be made through the state park or forest.
The Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Reservation Center’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. The center can be reached at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757).
To cancel any backpacking or primitive camping reservations, please contact the specific state park or forest where you have a reservation.
Cancellations made up to close of business seven days prior to your scheduled arrival date will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee per reservation.
If you cancel six days or less prior to the arrival date, you will forfeit the first night’s fee.
Reservations will be held for the entire camping reservation, including for no shows.
All fees are retained and will not be refunded; if you fail to arrive and do not inform the park of a cancellation in advance or during your stay.
Refunds will be calculated based on the date of notification using the above process or via check out if notification occurs after the arrival date but before departure date.
DCNR will not give refunds for reasons other than those identified in this policy.
Reasons for which refunds will not be given include but are not limited to natural disasters, drought, bugs, weather, campfire bans, death, pandemics (e.g. COVID-19), water conditions, or pool closures due to staffing.
Refunds
If you paid by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, your card will be credited. If you paid by check or money order, DCNR will send you a check from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
If you paid by gift card, the Bureau of State Parks will send you a new gift card for the refund amount.
Please be aware that only the person whose name is on the reservation may change or cancel.
Refunds by check require a minimum of six to eight weeks for delivery.
DCNR will not consider requests for refunds if submitted eight days or more after the departure date.
For example, if you were to depart on January 7 and submitted a refund request on January 15, it would ineligible for consideration.