Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen is one of Pennsylvania's flagship state parks — 13,193 acres spread across Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia counties, built around the Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark. The main draw is the Falls Trail System, where 22 named waterfalls spill through old-growth hemlock forest; the tallest, Ganoga Falls, drops 94 feet. If you only do one hike, do the falls loop.

For van lifers the campground makes a comfortable base: electric and full-hookup sites, showers, flush toilets, and potable water, with a sand beach on Lake Jean for swimming in season. Boating, fishing, and winter recreation round out the year — the park stays open every day, sunrise to sunset.

Two things to plan around. First, cell service is unreliable here, so download your maps and reservation details before you arrive. Second, approach matters: the stretch of PA-487 from Red Rock up to Lake Jean is very steep, and heavy or long rigs should instead take PA-487 south from Dushore. Summer weekends and fall foliage season book out fast — reserve as early as you can (the window opens 11 months ahead).