In 1680, King Charles II of England gave William Penn a 45,000-square-foot land grant. It was named the Colony of Pennsylvania after his father, Sir William Penn. The town of Reading was mapped out in this colony in 1743 and then formally founded in 1748. During the American Revolution, the area was known for its exceptional iron industry. Between 1810 and 1950, Reading was one of the country's top 100 largest urban areas. Reading continued to grow and thrive until its economic decline started in the 1940s due to the decreased need for railroads. Today, this city has grown to house a population of 95,000 on the banks of the Schuylkill River.
Begin your Reading adventure by heading to the Pagoda on top of Mount Penn. This seven-story wooden building has been a symbol of the city since it was built in 1908. Visitors today can stop by the small gift shop and cafe after touring the Japanese garden. The 120-foot William Penn Memorial Fire Tower is only a mile from the Pagoda. It was built in 1939 for forestry observation and is now recreationally popular due to its 60-mile panoramic view of the city and landscape.
Don't miss out on visiting the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts on Washington Street. This facility has eight teaching studios, a 130-seat film theater, an art store, and a bar and restaurant. It spans 145,000 square feet, making it the largest interactive visual arts center in the United States.
Campgrounds Near Reading, Pennsylvania
Christmas Pines Campground in Auburn is 21 miles away from Reading. This facility allows big rigs and offers lots large enough for double slide-out motorhomes. You're sure to enjoy the convenience of the dump station, a catch-and-release pond, a snack bar, and laundry facilities. This is also the closest campground to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary which researches and studies raptors.
Beacon Hill Campground in Intercourse offers quiet camping options for campers over the age of 16. It's within walking distance of a quaint town full of boutiques and specialty shops. The spacious campsites also have spectacular views of the 80-acre Amish farm next door. This highly rated RV park has spotless facilities, well-maintained grounds, and plenty of cool shade.
The six-acre Lake-in-Wood Camping Resort in Narvon has a massive swimming pool complex with a relaxing spa and kiddie pool. Boat rentals are available if you're interested in fishing on the fully stocked lake. There's also a game room, fitness area, several picnicking areas, golf cart rentals, and a general store styled like a trading post.
State Parks Near Reading, Pennsylvania
French Creek State Park contains the largest contiguous forest in the southeastern portion of Pennsylvania. It encompasses 7,526 acres and is home to Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake. You'll find nearly 40 miles of nature trails here as well as the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which has been restored to how it looked in the 1830s. Hunting is permitted on more than 6,000 acres of the park. The park is open all year long but is typically the most popular during the warm seasons.
The 1,089-acre Locust Lake State Park was established in 1972 after being purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1966. It sits on the side of Locust Mountain and is surrounded by dense woodland. The 52-acre Locust Lake is open to fishing, swimming, and boating. Hunting for doves, woodcocks, squirrels, turkeys, and pheasants is seasonally popular. The park also has a concession stand and a general store where you can find camping supplies. The on-site campground has a total of 282 campsites with 77 of these designated for RV use.
In the western foothills of the Poconos Mountains, you'll find Hickory Run State Park. This park covers 15,990 acres and is famous for its tremendous Boulder Field. The local mild climate allows the park to offer recreational activities like swimming, picnicking, skiing, hiking, and camping year-round. Anglers will have no problem fishing for brown and brook from the miles of stocked streams. Be sure to check for signs designating catch-and-release areas. The best time to hike the more than 40 miles of trails is in June or July when the rhododendron and mountain laurel flowers bloom.
National Sites Near Reading, Pennsylvania
The Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site near Elverson was once the home of a thriving furnace community. These towns were vital to the nation's success and development during the Industrial Revolution. They were often led by experienced ironmasters who would take care of finances and assign duties. Stop by to learn more about this fascinating self-sufficient community and how they pulled together to support each other through the good and bad times. Visit in the fall for the chance to pick heritage apples for an additional fee.
Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail commemorates the path the American and French soldiers took on their way to battle the British in Yorktown. Marching hundreds of miles across the country, this was one of the American Revolution's largest troop movements. Their victory was invaluable to the country's eventual independence. Today, this historic trail consists of a collection of roads covering the 680 miles that these troops used during their 14-week venture.
Valley Forge National Historical Park commemorates the battles and efforts of the Continental Army between 1777 and 1778. Stop by the visitor's center to learn more about what happened during their third winter encampment. Take part in a trolley or group walking tour to fully explore the many recreated historical buildings, huts, and bridges.
National Forests Near Reading, Pennsylvania
You'll find Finger Lakes National Forest in upstate New York. While it may be the second-smallest national forest in the country, it makes up for its size with its limitless beauty. You don't want to miss seeing this forest's astounding waterfalls and deep gorges. Visit in the spring to spot countless wildflowers or in the winter to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Geocaching, hiking, fishing, biking, picnicking, and camping are popular all year long.
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests run through West Virginia and Kentucky and have been administered as one unit since 1995. You'll see more than 2,000 species of plants and 40 species of trees here. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds. You're sure to enjoy the spectacular trout fishing available at the Cascades Day Use Area. The Cherokee Flats Day Use Area has an accessible metal ramp for those interested in stream fishing. Climbers and stargazers don't want to miss out on venturing up Whitetop Mountain, the tallest point in Virginia.
Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Spanning 517,000 acres, this forest has hundreds of miles of trails and endless recreational opportunities. Wildlife enthusiasts can often spot black bears, wild turkeys, minks, beavers, red foxes, and white-tailed deer. Anglers will love the chance to fish for warm water species like white bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, northern pike, and walleye. Geocaching is allowed in most places, but you should read up on restrictions before arriving.
