Where to Do Photography in Pennsylvania

The best photography locations.

Pennsylvania Photography Hot Spot Locations – Charge your batteries, pack your bags, and prepare for adventure. Where should you go to do photography on your next photo adventure? We have traveled to each location and bring you firsthand details.

These aren’t fake AI images—they’re real places where Pamela has convinced drowsy park rangers that her 3 AM arrival time is “photographer’s rush hour.”

We list many different locations, but here are some of our favorite photography spots.

Article is not AI generated. We traveled here showingPamela Goodyer and her camera.

Ricketts Glenn State Park
Jim Thorpe, Pa.
Cherry Springs State Park
The Philadelphia Zoo
Hyner View State Park
Pocono Waterfalls

Hyner View State Park

Located deep within the Pennsylvania Wilds is Hyner View State Park. One of the darkest sky locations on the East Coast.

This location is known for its incredible overlook. But we discovered something else you will love. A dark sky location for glamping. You can get Bortle 2 Milky Way shots right in front of the grounds.

The clouds rolled in quickly at night on our trip, and since we were only there for one night, we did not get many shots. If you get a shot of the Milky Way at the overlook in Hyner State Park, please send it to us with permission to use it!! Thank you!

Just minutes from Hyner View State Park lies Mountain View Retreat, where luxury glamping tents at Green Acres Glamping await beneath Pennsylvania’s ink-black night canvas. Here, the hushed wilderness whispers promises of solitude, while the Bortle Scale 2 darkness—a rarity in the Eastern United States—transforms amateur stargazers into awestruck witnesses as the Milky Way unfurls its celestial tapestry overhead.

MAKE THESE TWO LOCATIONS YOUR NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE!

JIM THORPE & THE OLD JAIL MUSEUM

FEATURE ARTICLE: This is one of our latest adventures in Pennsylvania. At the Old Jail Museum, you will be seated in the living room to watch a video presentation that tells the story for between 10 and 16 minutes. A guide will then escort your group into the dungeon and cell block. There are informational signboards on the walls; you may enter any open cell.

Then you can go through the jail on the tour, learn about the prison’s history, take photos, and see if any apparitions show up in your photographs.

They ask that you not take pictures of the handprint.

Jim Thorpe is an excellent photography location, and if you love fall foliage and ghost hunting, and time it right, this is the photography location for you.

Pennsylvania Photography Hot Spot Locations

We traveled to some dynamic photography areas in Pennsylvania and brought you all the details.

Ricketts Glen State Park

Astronomy observation field sign with the bubbles that you do photography in.

Cherry Springs State Park

Frosty Hollow

Jim Thorpe, PA, Ghost Hunting

Elk County, Pennsylvania

Strasburg Railroad

Washington-Crossing-State Park-Pennsylvania

Washington Crossing S.P.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Philadelphia Zoo

Poconos Waterfalls

The Grand Canyon of Pa.

Penn's cave with lights and two people in cave

Penn’s Cave Center Hall, PA.

Lock Haven Memorial Park Pennsylvania showing flags

Lock Haven Memorial Park, Pa.

Kettle Creek State Park

kettle creek bridge with a funny frog statue

Kettle Creek Area

Coutersport, Pa – Old Hickory

bakers run waters with rocks and mountains

Baker’s Run Boat Dock

Harley Davidson

Allegheny Mountains

The Castle Inn

WHERE TO DO PHOTOGRAPHY

Pennsylvania is a state in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is the 33rd-largest state by area and the fifth-most populous state, with over 12 million residents. Pennsylvania is home to some of the country’s most famous historical landmarks, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Valley Forge. The state is also home to various landscapes, making it an excellent place for photography enthusiasts to explore.

PENNSYLVANIA PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS

If you’re looking for great locations to photograph in Pennsylvania, you’ve come to the right place.

One of our favorite places to photograph in Pennsylvania is Ricketts Glen State Park. The park is home to 22 named waterfalls and is a beautiful place to take nature photos. There are also plenty of hiking trails to explore if you want action shots.

Another excellent location for photography in Pennsylvania is Valley Forge National Historical Park. The park offers various landscapes and is a great place to take historical photos. Several monuments and statues make great subjects for photographs.

Pennsylvania is known for its dark skies, the Pocono Mountains, and historical landmarks.

Two of our favorite places are Ricketts Glen State Park (Which has waterfalls that will take you an entire day to photograph) and Cherry Springs State Park, a dark sky location.

Jim Thorpe, Eastern State, and the Philadelphia Zoo are great places to photograph.

Pennsylvania Photography Areas

MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Regarding Milky Way photography, this state has some of the best locations in the country. From the mountains of the Poconos to the vast fields of Lancaster County, there are plenty of places to get a great shot of the night sky. Here are some of our favorite spots for viewing the Milky Way.

1. Cherry Springs State Park – This state park is known for its dark skies and is a great place to see the Milky Way. Several overlooks offer great views of the night sky.

2. Observatory Park – This park is home to an observatory that offers excellent night sky views. Several hiking trails provide great views of the Milky Way.

3. Laurel Highlands – The Laurel Highlands offer some of the best night sky views.

4. Ricketts Glen State Park—This state park is home to several waterfalls and offers great night sky views.

5. Valley Forge National Historical Park – This national park offers excellent night sky views.

WHEN TO GO

The state is home to various landscapes, from the rolling hills of the Poconos to the urban metropolis of Philadelphia.

Spring is an ideal time for nature photography. The state’s flowers bloom in early April; the trees are green by May, and the grass is vibrant. The weather is usually mild in spring, making spending time outdoors exploring Pennsylvania’s natural beauty comfortable.

Autumn is another great season for photography here. The leaves begin to change color in late September, and by October, the whole state is aflame with reds, oranges, and yellows. The crisp air and shorter days make autumn a great time to take pictures of fall foliage.

Winter can be a magical time for photography, especially if you’re lucky enough to catch a snowfall. The blanket of snow transforms the landscape into a scene straight out of a storybook.

WHERE TO STAY

There are several great places to stay while photographing Pennsylvania, but it depends on what you’re looking for. There are several great Airbnbs in the area if you want something more private than a hotel. If you’re going to get away from it all and explore the more rural parts of the state, staying in one of the small towns dotting the state would be a great option. Wherever you stay, plenty of great photo ops will surely be there.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE PARKS TO PHOTOGRAPH

Here is a list of some of the State Parks:

1. Ricketts Glen State Park — This park is known for its waterfalls and hiking trails. There are also plenty of opportunities to photograph wildlife.

2. Elk State Park—This park is a great place to photograph elk in their natural habitat and offers scenic views of the Allegheny Mountains.

3. Sinnemahoning State Park—This park offers views of Sinnemahoning Creek as it flows through the Allegheny Plateau. It also has hiking trails and camping sites.

4. Ohiopyle State Park—This park is home to the Youghiogheny River, a popular spot for whitewater rafting. It also has hiking trails and picnic areas.

5. Cook Forest State Park—This park is known for its old-growth forest and many hiking trails.