I decided that I want to get outside more this spring, summer and fall so we started off early spring (February 23) with a 70 degrees day and an hour hike in the woods with the kids (1.5 year old Sawyer and almost 4 year old Colt) at the Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

I was doing some research on the DCNR website and found they separate the parks into regions. Since we live in what is considered the South region, I figured we’d start with trying to visit all of the state parks there.

Southern Region Pennsylvania State Parks and Location

Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area (BLAIN, PA)
Blue Knob State Park (ILMER, PA)
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area (GRANTVILLE, PA)
Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park (MERCERSBURG, PA)
Caledonia State Park (FAYETTEVILLE, PA)
Canoe Creek State Park (HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA)
Codorus State Park (HANOVER, PA)
Colonel Denning State Park (NEWVILLE, PA)
Cowans Gap State Park (FORT LOUDON, PA)
Fowlers Hollow State Park (BLAIN, PA)
Gifford Pinchot State Park (LEWISBERRY, PA)
Greenwood Furnace State Park (HUNTINGDON, PA)
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area (GRANTVILLE, PA)
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center (CARLISLE, PA)
Little Buffalo State Park (NEWPORT, PA)
Mont Alto State Park (FAYETTEVILLE, PA)
Penn-Roosevelt State Park (HUNTNGDON, PA)
Pine Grove Furnace State Park (GARDNERS, PA)
Prince Gallitzin State Park (PATTON, PA)
Samuel S. Lewis State Park (YORK, PA)
Shawnee State Park (SCHELLSBURG, PA)
Susquehanna Riverlands State Park (YORK, PA)
Susquehannock State Park (DRUMORE, PA)
Trough Creek State Park (JAMES CREEK, PA)
Warriors Path State Park (SAXTON, PA)
Whipple Dam State Park (PETERSBURG, PA)

So that’s the starting point and considering I had this grand idea this morning and we already knocked out one park, I don’t consider that half bad 😎

There are some state parks that are in the same town so we’ll easily be able to visit maybe two or more in a day. I’d LOVE to try to camp at a state park in the summer with the boys. Besides Knoebels campground and literally Afghanistan, I’ve never been camping like legit in the wilderness 🏕️ 🤣

This is something I want to do with our boys and I think it’ll give all of us a fun sense of adventure and family time! There’s 26 places on this list so I’m very excited 😊

Stay well, Stef

Pennsylvania State Parks, Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area, moms who blog, sunny days, mental health, nature walks, camping, toddler adventure, state parks with toddlers, Harrisburg Pa, central Pennsylvania, South region Pennsylvania State Parks, The Bevins Clan, parenting adventures, things to do with toddlers in central Pennsylvania, camping with kids, toddler adventures