We love RVing in Pennsylvania. The rolling hills of Dutch country, the museums of the big cities, and the historic sites in the state are all just fantastic. Another thing we love? Pennsylvania amusement parks!
Some of our favorites include:
- Hersheypark
- Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
- Dutch Wonderland
- Idlewild
- Kalahari Resort
- Lakemont Park
Pennsylvania Amusement Parks at a Glance
| Park | Hersheypark | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | Dutch Wonderland | Idlewild | Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Pocono Mountains | Lakemont Park |
| Location | Hershey, PA | Elysburg, PA | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, PA | Ligonier, PA | Pocono Manor, PA | Altoona, PA |
| Ticket Cost | Approximately $50–$95+ depending on date and ticket type | Free admission; ride-all-day passes approximately $25–$35 | Approximately $35–$75+ depending on date | Approximately $30–$55+ depending on date | Approximately $35–$60+ depending on date | Day passes typically $50–$120+ depending on season | Free admission; ride tickets or all-day wristbands approximately $20–$30 |
| Attractions | Roller coasters, family rides, water park, zoo, live entertainment | Classic wooden coasters, family rides, water attractions, campground, swimming pool | Roller coasters, thrill rides, water park, family rides, live entertainment | Family rides, themed play areas, water play, live shows, character experiences | Historic amusement rides, children’s attractions, water rides, live entertainment | Indoor water park, outdoor water park, wave pools, slides, surfing simulator, family attractions | Historic roller coaster, family rides, kiddie rides, mini golf, seasonal attractions |
| Onsite RV Parking? | No | Yes (onsite campground with RV sites) | No | No | No | No | No |
Why RV to a Pennsylvania Amusement Park?
- When you take an RV, you can stay close to some of the country’s most popular amusement parks, including Hersheypark, Kennywood, and Dorney Park, without relying on hotels or long daily drives.
- You can also combine theme park visits with Pennsylvania’s other highlights like scenic Appalachian landscapes, historic towns, and outdoor recreation areas.
- Lastly, those traveling via RV will enjoy flexible, cost-effective travel where your lodging, kitchen, and gear all move with them, making multi-day park trips easier to manage.
Hersheypark
First on our list is Hersheypark in—you guessed it—Hershey. This is an amazing chocolate-themed park that you will almost certainly want to add to your Pennsylvania itinerary. Not only is the park all about chocolate, but so is the town where the park is located. (That’s right, there is an entire chocolate town in Pennsylvania!)
Stand-Out Features
- Great Bear coaster
- Storm Runner coaster
- Additional roller coasters throughout the park
- Kiddie rides
- Family rides including medium-sized coasters, log flume, train, and Ferris wheel
- Waterworks splash and slide area
- Character meet-and-greets
- Live entertainment
RV Camping Near Hersheypark
We highly recommend taking your RV on your Hershey adventure. You’ll likely want to visit the park for at least two days, and there are lots of other things to do in the area (for example, be sure to visit Chocolate World and the Hershey Story Museum). Therefore, you’ll want to be totally comfortable while you’re there.
Try this campground:
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Next up, Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg. This place is cool because it is America’s largest free-admission amusement park. Not only that, but the park offers free parking, free entertainment, and free picnic facilities to boot, making this a totally affordable family outing.
Stand-Out Features
- Helicopter ride
- Panther Cars
- Bumper cars
- Carousel
- Twister roller coaster
- Giant Flume
- Arcades
- Midway games
- XD theater
- Mini golf
- Small museums
- Bald eagle habitat
RV Camping Near Knoebels Amusement Resort
One of the coolest things about Knoebels is that they have their own campground. This means you can park your home-on-wheels right on Knoebels property and be close to the action from the moment you wake up. What better way is there to vacation?
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Located in Allentown, Dorney Park & WildWater Kingdom is another excellent Pennsylvania amusement park option. These parks are run by the well-known Cedar Fair theme park company, and the quality of both places is right up there with the rest of the Cedar Fair parks.
Stand-Out Features
- Meteor ride
- Talon roller coaster
- Carousel
- Train ride
- Bumper cars
- Ferris wheel
- Peanuts-themed rides (Camp Bus, Flying Ace, Kite Eating Tree)
- WildWater Kingdom water park
- Water slides (various thrill levels)
- Lazy river
- Seaside Splashworks
- Lollipop Lagoon
- Kids Cove
RV Camping Near Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Of course, you will want to bring the RV along so you can fully enjoy your Dorney Park trip. We love that having an RV ensures you have all the comforts of home and that you can easily pack them up and take them to the next location whenever you see fit.
Try this campground:
Dutch Wonderland
Awarded the 2019 and 2021 Golden Ticket for Best Family Park by AmusementMagazine, Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster is easily one of the best theme parks in the state. The park is absolutely adorable and little bits of fairytale magic hide around every corner of the place.
Stand-Out Features
- Merlin’s Mayhem family coaster
- Dragon’s Lair log flume
- Wonder House fun house
- Leapin’ Frogs ride
- Choo Choo Charlie train
- Prehistoric Path (dinosaur exhibit)
- Over 20 lifelike dinosaurs
- Dino Dig fossil digging area
- Duke’s Lagoon water play area
- Live entertainment shows
RV Camping Near Dutch Wonderland
Something we really love about Dutch Wonderland is that we have the option to camp in the park campground. This makes the whole trip easier and more fun as well, since all we have to do is take a short walk and we’re right in the middle of the fun.
Idlewild Park & Soak Zone
Run by the same folks who own Dutch Wonderland, Idlewild Park & Soak Zone is Pittsburgh’s amusement park. It is chock-full of things to do for all ages, meaning everyone is sure to have a blast during their time there.
Stand-Out Features
- Train ride
- Ride-on motorcycles
- Balloon Race ride
- Howler spinning ride
- Rollo Coaster
- Wild Mouse coaster
- Playground
- Funhouse
- Giant slide
- Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood area
- Soak Zone water park
- Lazy river
- Wave pool
- Water slides
- Water playground
RV Camping Near Idlewild Park & Soak Zone
Obviously, you will need a place to chill after a long day at Idlewild Park. This is where an RV comes into play. By bringing an RV, you give yourself the gift of complete privacy and comfort no matter where you end up parking.
Try this campground:
Kalahari Resort
Located in the Poconos, Pennsylvania’s Kalahari Resort is an absolutely amazing indoor water park. Because it’s indoors, it’s a great place to get in some waterpark fun even when the weather is less than ideal, and the many things to do here are sure to keep you busy all day long.
Stand-Out Features
- The Smoke That Thunders family raft ride
- Screaming Hyena slide
- Kenya Korkscrew double tube slide
- Wild Wildebeat slide
- Sahara Sidewinders slide
- Tiko’s Watering Hole kids splash area
- Splashdown Safari
- Thirsty Turtle Swim-Up Bar
- Paxton Grotto Swim-Up Bar
- Lazy river
- Indoor spa
- Outdoor spa
RV Camping Near Kalahari Resort
You might think that the best idea is to stay at the Kalahari Resort in order to enjoy their water park. We beg to differ. You’ll almost certainly be more comfortable in your own space, which is exactly what an RV can offer.
Try this campground:
Lakemont Park
Last on our list is the fantastic Lakemont Park. Located just outside of Altoona, this park first opened way back in 1894 and is still going strong. We have to imagine this is because the park offers so many amazing things to do, ensuring every family has a wonderful time during their visit.
Stand-Out Features
- Leap-the-Dips Roller Coaster
- Additional roller coasters (two thrill coasters)
- Go-karts
- Train ride
- Kiddie Monster Trucks
- Paddle boats
- Mini golf courses
- Batting cages
- Baseball courts
- Sand volleyball courts
- Water park
RV Camping Near Lakemont Park
Where will you stay during your visit to Lakemont Park? In an RV, of course! There are plenty of great places to park an RV near the amusement park, and bringing your own home-on-wheels helps ensure you have everything you need to be 100% comfortable for the duration of your stay.
Try this campground:
Tips for an Amazing Pennsylvania Amusement Park Trip
- Arrive early and prioritize your must-do rides first. Many Pennsylvania parks get crowded quickly and arriving early allows you to beat crowds.
- Check each park’s height requirements, ride closures, and show schedules ahead of time so you can plan a smoother route through the day.
- Pack for changing weather—Pennsylvania summers can swing between hot sun and sudden rain, so bring layers, ponchos, and sunscreen.
- Build in breaks for food, shade, and downtime to avoid fatigue.
Pennsylvania Amusement Parks: Frequently Asked Questions
The most well-known parks in the state include Hersheypark in Hershey, Kennywood near Pittsburgh, and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in the Lehigh Valley.
Hersheypark is often considered the most family-friendly option in the state. It offers a large mix of mild rides, themed areas, and a connected zoo experience.
Late spring through early fall is the ideal time to visit a Pennsylvania amusement park. We also recommend choosing weekdays for shorter lines and more relaxed crowds.
Prefer to add some other types of fun to your getaway? There are tons of other things to do in Pennsylvania as well. From fantastic museums to incredible historic sites, you won’t run out of things to explore while in this amazing state.
Check out the links below for some of our favorite suggestions:
