Pennsylvania
We have visited Pennsylvania before, but this was our first time to camp there. Our camping included two state parks on the western side of the state and an RV park on the eastern side. Western Pennsylvania is very mountainous and reminds me of West Virginia. We focused on Harrisburg, the State Capital, as we traveled through the eastern portion of the state. It was quite different.
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiophyle State Park is a highly-rated park because there is so much to do. It has whitewater rafting, rail trail biking, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, and zip lining. The park is a dream if you are young and agile. Unfortunately, we are neither. Therefore, we did not experience some of the park’s finer things.
The Kentuck Campground
The park’s Kentuck Campground was a challenge for us. We arrived later than normal and mistakenly passed our campsite. This led us to a dead end and a need to turn around in an uphill campsite. The Lance is a much bigger camper than out T@B 400 and the space was very tight. Consequently, my husband felt a lot of stress because of the event.
Our site required a sizable lift to level the trailer. However, the truck was uphill and we couldn’t get the trailer off the ball. The trailer released when we finally gave up on the side-to-side leveling. By that time, it was quite dark. We were also dry camping. It certainly was a stressful set up!
Fallingwater
I wish I could say we were there for all the outdoor activities, but that was not the case. We were there to see one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous creations, Fallingwater. Wright designed it as the summer home for a Pittsburgh businessman. The 1939 house rests over a waterfall and is most impressive. We obtained tickets for an outdoor self-guided tour. We would have needed to book an interior tour in April. I had no idea that kind of lead time was required, so it was outdoors only for us.
It was a beautiful day and the property that surrounds the house was quite extensive. Actually, it was like an easy hike in the woods.
The campground is only a few miles from Fallingwater which was very convenient. It is a very mountainous area and it was a beautiful drive.
Lastly, we had an excellent meal at Brenda’s Family Restaurant. It was just down the road and the food was delicious.
After such a difficult start, our stay at Ohiopyle State Park was great for the rest of our time there. Sometimes, you just have to push through.
Raccoon Creek State Park
Our two nights at Raccoon Creek were very relaxing and low stress. I had to be careful to book a site that allowed pets because they are pet specific. Apparently, it is a requirement for Pennsylvania State Parks. We did, however, have a nice level site. The only negative was hickory nuts that frequently dropped from a nearby tree. We had a little sunshine, but it was mostly cloudy or raining.
We just hung out at the campground for our one full day there. Our day involved a ride to the beach and a drive around the park.
We also stopped at the Wildflower Reserve. It was closed, but I left husband and pup in the car while I looked around.
I bet it is very nice if you are there at the right time of the year. However, this wasn’t that good time to be there. There were only a few wildflowers, including the strange one below.
Lastly, we had ice cream cones for lunch and hot dogs for dinner. It certainly was not an eating healthy day!
Pennsylvania Capital, Harrisburg
Because we like to visit cities and state capitals, Harrisburg was a natural choice for a stop on the way back home. It is also near Hershey, on our list as well, but we didn’t quite fit it in. Harrisburg’s 2010 population was 49 thousand so it is a good sized city to visit while camping. (We prefer to visit large cities by staying in centrally-located hotels.)
We got a Rover sitter close to our campground in Carlisle for our puppy because we were gone for several hours.
Western Village RV Park
Western Village is a large RV park in nearby Carlisle. It is quite nice. The campground offers full hookups, level, shaded sites, a nice bathhouse, and a laundry. It has a pool too, but it was not open while we were there. I liked that it is so close to Harrisburg.
The Campground’s only negative is that the sites are short. We had to park the truck across the road. It was okay in this instance, but if there had been more cars parked, it could be difficult getting in and out with the camper.
Pennsylvania State Capital
Our day in Harrisburg was a Saturday, but happily, the Capital Building was open and a tour was available. The outside of the building is majestic, but the interior is opulent beyond belief.
The photo below is a view from the second floor. It is absolutely gorgeous! In 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt attended the dedication of the building, he said it was the “handsomest building I ever saw.”
The building cost 13 million at the time it was built and is considered priceless by today’s standards. The dome was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and there is an untold amount of 24 karat gold in the building.
While we were there, a Womens Rights Group was holding a rally on the Capital steps protesting the new Texas anti-abortion law.
National Civil War Museum
Typically, the Civil War sites and museums we have visited are dedicated to portions of the war, like Gettysburg. However, this museum covers the war in its entirety.
I liked that it provided a balanced approach to the war and the exhibits offered the perspective from both sides.
One exhibit addressed the cost of this terrible war. I had heard the statistic before, but revisiting it was still disheartening. The Civil War was the most costly war ever in our country’s history in terms of lives lost and human suffering. Approximately 700,000 died and nearly 400,000 were wounded. The number of deaths was greater than the number of lives lost in all other American wars. The loss of livelihood and property was disastrous as well.
There is a bittersweet monument in front of the building. It is dedicated to the act of providing water to suffering soldiers by the opposing side. Both sides performed this act of mercy many times throughout the war.
My husband and I recently toured the Alabama State Capital in Montgomery. I remember our guide discussing that the delegates from the southern states organized a new government, the Confederate States of America, in Montgomery and swore in Jefferson Davis as President. This picture in the Civil War Museum depicts that event. It was interesting to see that link.
The Cork and Fork
The Cork and Fork is a lovely restaurant just a couple of blocks from the capital. We had amazing weather that day and our outdoor table was perfect! The food and service were very good and my handsome date was very attentive.
In Conclusion
I am grateful that we were able to enjoy so much of the things Pennsylvania has to offer on this recent trip. Fallingwater and Harrisburg were both very wonderful to see and the state parks offered an opportunity to experience the Pennsylvania countryside. Other states we have visited can be seen on our page, States Visited, a Campsite Resource.
Happy camping!
That state capitol building was very beautiful. I would not have thought to visit it and take a tour. Additionally, the National Civil War Museum sounds like another spot not to miss. I have visited Fallingwater both inside and out. Perhaps someday you can return and tour the inside. It is a treasure! Safe travels!
Thanks Betty! We have visited a dozen or so capitals, but we’re only able to tour a few because of timing. The tours add so much to the experience.
I do hope to someday see the interior of Fallingwater. We have seen interiors of a couple of his homes though and really enjoyed it.