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, from 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.
Reservation Cancellation/Change Policy
This cancellation and change policy is applicable to all reservable and first-come, first-served facilities.
This policy is applicable for all reservations created on and after March 2, 2024.
Transaction Fee
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 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. The department cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the department for the reservation system.
Changes to a Reservation
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 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. The department cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the department for the reservation system.
Please note: 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.
For customers with an online account, changes to a different site type or date at the state park or forest where a customer has an existing reservation may be made via the reservation website.
Other items to note about changes to a reservation:
Campsite reservations can be changed online up to one day prior.
If individuals wish to switch to a cabin, cottage, or yurt, this change cannot be made online less than two full days prior to arrival.
If individuals wish to switch to another state park or forest, or they do not have an online account, changes prior to the day of arrival must be made by calling the Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Reservation Center at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
For river camping or backpack camping changes, individuals must contact the specific state park where they have a reservation.
Changes on the day of arrival must go through the state park or forest where individuals have a reservation. There are no refunds for early departure of any part of a holiday weekend reservation once the site has been occupied.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will not accept changes via social media.
If a state park 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.
Cancellation of a Reservation
Cancellations can be made via the call center or website up to the day before arrival.
The Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation Center’s hours are Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. The center can be reached at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757).
Items to note about cancellations:
Any cancellation on the day of arrival must be made through the state park or forest where there is a reservation.
To cancel any backpacking reservations, individuals must contact the specific state park where they have a reservation.
Cancellations made up to close of business seven days prior to the scheduled arrival date will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee per reservation.
If individuals cancel six days or less prior to the arrival date, they will forfeit the first night’s fee.
Reservations will be held for the entire reservation, including for no shows.
All fees are retained and will not be refunded if individuals fail to arrive and do not inform the state park of a cancellation in advance or during their 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.
Cabin, lodge, yurt, or deluxe cottage reservations in the summer peak season will forfeit their entire fee if cancelled.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will not accept changes via social media.
Refunds
Refunds in excess of the previously listed policy will not be given for reasons including, but not limited to: natural disasters, drought, bugs, weather, campfire bans, air quality, death, pandemics (for example COVID-19), water conditions, pool closures due to staffing, violations of the terms and conditions of the permit, or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ rules and regulations, which were agreed to when the reservation was made.
Other items to note about refunds:
If paid by Visa, MasterCard Discover, or American Express, the card will be credited.
If paid by check or money order, a check from the Commonwealth will be issued.
If paid by gift card, the department’s Bureau of State Parks will send a new gift card for the refund amount.
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.
The department will not consider requests for refunds outside of this policy if submitted eight days or more after the departure date.
For example, if an individual were to depart on January 7 and submitted a refund request on January 15, it is ineligible for consideration.