Best Time to Visit Pennsylvania National Parks
Pennsylvania has 17 National Park Service units that report visitation. Below, each is ranked by annual visits, with the month our data recommends for the best balance of light crowds, comfortable weather and daylight. Crowds peak in summer almost everywhere — the recommended months show where the quieter shoulder seasons fall.
| Park | Annual visits | Best time | Busiest | Quietest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppalachianNational Scenic Trail | 6,215,118 | September | Jul | Feb |
| Delaware Water GapNational Recreation Area | 3,986,709 | March | Jul | Jan |
| IndependenceNational Historical Park | 1,926,580 | October | Jul | Jan |
| Valley ForgeNational Historical Park | 1,819,086 | September | Jul | Jan |
| GettysburgNational Military Park | 730,398 | September | Jul | Jan |
| Upper DelawareScenic & Recreational River | 380,245 | June | Jul | Dec |
| Flight 93National Memorial | 286,079 | February | Sep | Jan |
| Fort NecessityNational Battlefield | 225,783 | May | Jul | Jan |
| First StateNational Historical Park | 200,173 | April | Oct | Jan |
| Allegheny Portage RailroadNational Historic Site | 162,905 | May | Jul | Jan |
| EisenhowerNational Historic Site | 75,328 | May | Sep | Jan |
| Johnstown FloodNational Memorial | 74,977 | June | Jul | Jan |
| SteamtownNational Historic Site | 60,243 | May | Aug | Jan |
| Hopewell FurnaceNational Historic Site | 48,776 | October | Aug | Jan |
| Friendship HillNational Historic Site | 18,080 | June | Sep | Jan |
| Edgar Allan PoeNational Historic Site | 15,473 | September | Jul | Jan |
| Thaddeus KosciuszkoNational Memorial | 1,682 | October | Jul | Jan |