Roadtrip with RVshare Pittsburgh to Philadelphia

Ever since before the American Revolutionary War's earliest battles, the area between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia has played an important role in history. You can visit Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell and where many of the country’s founding documents were written. Pennsylvania also has many outstanding recreational opportunities in state parks, like Point State Park and Ohiopyle State Park. You can also find many cool points of interest you will want to visit, like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Camp in an RV on this Pittsburgh to Philadelphia road trip to take advantage of all these opportunities and more located along the way. 

Nearby National Parks

Valley Forge National Historical Park  

Everyone has heard how George Washington and his soldiers spent a hard winter in Valley Forge. Visit the site where those events occurred by going to Valley Forge National Historical Park. You can join ranger-led tours that vary a little by the season, but these tours will let you see the main places where events occurred. Audio tours are also available for those who would prefer to drive to the various locations at this 3,500-acre national historical park. You can tour the home where General George Washington stayed during the winter of 1777 and 1778. Historical reenactments and ammunition demonstrations occur about twice each month, usually on the weekends. This park also offers plenty of opportunities to go bike riding on 19 miles of trails, hiking on 33 miles of trails, and horseback riding on over 17 miles of trails. 

Independence National Historical Park  

You will need to pass through tight security and use timed tickets in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. See the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Bishop White House, the Dolley Todd House, and many other important sites. Visit the National Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank building to see 150 pictures of early American leaders. Learn more about the early soldiers by stopping at the New Hall Military Museum. Stroll through the 19th-century rose and magnolia gardens. Stroll up to the National Constitution Center to learn everything there is to know about the U.S. Constitution.

Nearby State Parks

Point State Park  

Point State Park, located in Pittsburgh, lies at the junction of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers, and it commemorates the importance of the forts of the Ohio. The Flag Bastion and the Monongahela Bastion used during the French and Indian War have been reconstructed from brick. The Fort Pitt Museum is located inside the Monongahela Bastion, and you'll learn about the role that Pennsylvania played in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. You can also learn the history of Pittsburgh’s founding at this urban state park. 

Ohiopyle State Park  

Ohiopyle State Park is located on the southern reaches of Laurel Ridge near Ohiopyle. Head to this state park to hike along the Laurel Highland trails that range in length from short, easy hikes to those longer than 27 miles. The longer hikes connect to the Great Allegheny Passage, which runs from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. This trail also makes a terrific place to go biking and cross-country skiing. This park’s Youghiogheny River Trail connects to the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The busiest section of whitewater rafting east of the Mississippi River runs through this park. You can find guided whitewater rafting tours starting here. Anglers love catching trout in the Youghiogheny River. Over 18,000 acres of this park are set aside for hunting and trapping in season. 

Shawnee State Park  

Shawnee State Park, near Bedford in the Ridge and Valley Province, is a fascinating state park featuring the 451-acre Shawnee Lake. The lake is open for swimming, boating, and fishing. There are three boat-launching facilities, including an ADA-compliant option, and there are 146 dry-boat mooring spaces. You can find short nature trails perfect for exploring with little ones because of the easy hiking conditions. There are plenty of longer trails available, including the Field Trail that offers stunning views of the park and provides outstanding opportunities to see wildlife. 

Gifford Pinchot State Park  

This park, located between Rossville and Lewisberry, is home to 345-acre Pinchot Lake. If you love to boat or canoe, you can rent a mooring or canoe space throughout the summer months. There are also boats available for rent, and the many quiet coves and inlets are great places to go exploring. Many travelers come to this park to go iceboating in the winter. Anglers love to go fishing on this lake that is an officially recognized Big Bass lake. Ice fishing for bass and walleye is popular here in the colder months. You can also go swimming in the lake. Gifford Pinchot State Park contains many short, graveled hiking trails perfect for seeing a wide variety of birds and wildlife because they run under mature forests. The more adventurous hiker may want to tread along the Mason-Dixon Trail, which is part of the 200-mile-long National Recreation Trail.

Along the Way

Fallingwater  

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. You can tour the home in Mill Run and learn about the important architectural work that Wright did there. Children will be challenged to use their senses in creative ways, like designing a home for a gnome, while adults can attend in-depth lectures. 

Gettysburg National Military Park and Museum  

Learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg by stopping at the Gettysburg National Military Park and Museum. You may want to start your visit at the visitors center to watch an informative film and tour the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War. Consider hiring one of the park’s guides to give you a personal tour of the land where the battle occurred. Tour the David Wills home where President Lincoln put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg Address. 

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania  

See over 100 train cars and engines from various Pennsylvania railroad companies used throughout a long period of history. Climb under a 62-foot-long locomotive to see it from the underside, and climb aboard numerous train cars at this museum in Strasburg. It's a must-stop for railroad enthusiasts. 

Longwood Gardens  

See native and tropical plants at Longwood Gardens, which covers more than 1,077 acres near Kennett Square. The 20 heated greenhouses contain a wide variety of plants while the Longwood Conservatory contains over 1,700 types of plants. Tour the Peirce-du Pont House that was constructed in 1730 when the original gardens were started. 

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle  

Henry Chapman Mercer had this castle constructed from 1908 to 1912 to house his collection of Moravian tiles and to serve as his residence. Today, visitors to the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle in Doylestown can see those tiles and other artwork created in the area inside the building that Mercer designed himself.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Harrisburg  

Harrisburg, the state capital, attracts people who want to come to explore the Susquehanna River. The city hosts one of the largest indoor farm shows in the world annually. Consider Harrisburg campground options like Deer Run Camping Resort and Western Village RV Park. You can find Harrisburg RV dump stations at Oak Creek Campground and Dutch Cousin Campground. 

York  

Many factories offering public tours in York make it a great way to learn about industry. The USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame makes a great stop on your Pittsburgh to Philadelphia RV road trip. Ben Franklin RV Park and PA Dutch Country Campground are both great campgrounds in York. Indian Rocks Campground and Gretna Oaks Camping offer York-area RV dump stations, or you can consider other Pennsylvania RV dump station locations. 

King of Prussia  

You can visit many locations related to Valley Forge when visiting King of Prussia. It is also an amazing town for some retail therapy, especially at the King of Prussia Mall. Campgrounds in King of Prussia include Brandywine Creek Campground or Oak Grove Park & Sales. You may also want to consider Philadelphia campground options as the city is located only about 19 miles away. King of Prussia RV dump stations include Village Scene Park and French Creek State Park.

Doylestown  

You will love the cultural scene of Doylestown, which USA Today named one of the best in the United States for small towns. Little Red Barn Campground and Beaver Valley Campground are just a couple of Doylestown camping options, or you may want to check out some of the best campgrounds in Pennsylvania. Nearby Doylestown RV dump station options include Boulder Woods Campground and Homestead Campground.

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