8 PA state parks to get new ‘glamping’ sites — including one in Centre County
.jpg "The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced Tuesday that it partnered with Timberline Glamping Company to add 61 glamping sites across eight state parks throughout the Commonwealth, including in Centre County’s own Poe Valley. Online reservations are now open for Spring 2026. The tent in the photo was shown during a press conference at French Creek State Park and was there to show onlookers what the interior of a typical glamping tent looks like.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- DCNR will open 61 glamping sites across eight state parks starting spring 2025.
- Timberline will operate tents at Poe Valley and seven other parks under contract.
- Nightly rates at Poe Valley span roughly $149–$189; revenue will fund park improvements.
Camping in Centre County is about to get a bit more “glamorous.”
Some 61 “glamping” sites — or “glamour camping” sites — will open across eight Pennsylvania state parks next spring, including in Centre County’s own Poe Valley, a state organization announced earlier this week. The glamping safari tents include amenities like real beds, climate control and electricity. (The tents even have a mini-fridge and ceiling fan.)
Traditional campers can continue to use Poe Valley’s cottages or their own tents, trailers and motor homes. But the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is hoping the new accommodations will appeal to additional residents.
“This new offering is another way we’re ensuring that our state parks remain welcoming and enjoyable for all Pennsylvanians,” DCNR Secretary Cynthia Dunn said Tuesday in a written statement. “By transforming underused campsites into beautiful glamping experiences, we’re expanding overnight options in a way that’s affordable, sustainable, and beneficial to local communities.”
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Nightly glamping rates at Poe Valley vary based on the date and safari tent, but a cursory search revealed most rates range between $149 and $189 a night.
Seven safari tents are advertised on Poe Valley’s booking site, and each tent is 320 square feet. Each room comes with either a king-sized bed with two sets of bunk beds, or two queen-sized beds with no bunk beds.
Amenities include a coffee maker, electrical outlets to plug in devices, air conditioning and a heater. Each campsite — or “glampsite” — also includes a fire pit, charcoal grill, picnic table and two camp chairs. According to the DCNR, future add-ons might include local experiences, firewood bundles, games and gourmet s’mores kits.
The DCNR partnered with glamping franchise Timberline Glamping Company to offer the new accommodations. Under the “collaboration,” Timberline will pay DCNR a flat rate and a portion of the glamping revenue, which will be used for park improvements.
“We believe in the traditional camping experience happening outside while the convenience of modern amenities happens inside our accommodations,” Timberline co-owners Nathan and Rebeka Self said in a joint statement.
Visitors can already make reservations for their glamping stays at timberlineglamping.com/locations#Pennsylvania. Poe Valley has one of the state’s longest glamping seasons, from March 12 to Dec. 12, as all but one other park stops glamping by October. (French Creek has the longest season, from March 6 to Dec. 31.)
The complete list of Pennsylvania state parks to have glamping sites next spring includes Codorus (Hanover), French Creek (Elverson), Hickory Run (White Haven), Hills Creek (Wellsboro), Laurel Hill (Somerset) , Poe Valley (Coburn), Pymatuning (Jamestown) and Promise Land (Greentown).
For more information on glamping, visit timberlineglamping.com. And, for more on outdoor recreation in the commonwealth, visit DCNR’s website.
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