Roadtrip with RVshare Philadelphia to Niagara Falls

The states of Pennsylvania and New York have plenty to offer anyone taking a Philadelphia to Niagara Falls RV road trip. Both of these states were part of the original 13 colonies and were home to multiple Native American peoples prior to the coming of the Europeans. These states have much historical value, but they also possess beautiful natural landscapes that consist of mountains, gorges, rivers, lakes, and forests.

Nearby National Parks

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a 33,000-acre national preserve between Cleveland and Akron that lies along the Cuyahoga River, which bisects the park for 22 miles between these cities. The river was severely polluted for many years, which led to the inspiration for the first Earth Day in 1970. Today, the river has been restored and supports aquatic bugs, more than 40 species of fish, hundreds of great blue herons, and a nesting pair of bald eagles. Visitors to the park can hike on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, learn about the canal's history at the Canal Exploration Center, view the falls of Brandywine Falls, and ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The winter months afford opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and fishing is popular year-round. 

Independence National Historical Park

Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of the United States, and it was the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the meetings of the First Continental Congress and Second Continental Congress, and the signing of the Constitution. Independence National Historical Park contains many of the original buildings where these and later historical events took place, such as Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and Old City Hall. You can view the Liberty Bell, visit several museums, and tour multiple former residences and businesses when you add this park to your road trip itinerary from Philadelphia to Niagara Falls.

Nearby State Parks

Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is commonly known as the Grand Canyon of the East. The Genesee River flows through the canyon gorge over three large waterfalls, some of which are upwards of 600 feet in height. There are 66 miles of hiking trails available, as well as many multi-use trails for biking, horse riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The Humphrey Nature Center has informative displays, and other activities inside the park include kayaking, white-water rafting, and various planned programs. Private enterprises offer hot-air balloon rides over the park and river. 

Niagara Falls State Park

The grandeur of Niagara Falls is an experience that you can easily add to your Philadelphia to Niagara Falls road trip due to the proximity of the falls to the actual city of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls State Park is located on the U.S. and Canadian border between Ontario, Canada, and Buffalo, NY. Niagara Falls consists of three separate waterfalls: American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the U.S. side and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. These falls are not the tallest in the U.S., but they are among the most powerful in terms of water volume and flow rate, with Horseshoe Falls possessing the most powerful flow in North America. A popular way to see the falls in the park is by taking the Niagara Scenic Trolley and the Cave of the Winds tour. During the tour, you will ride an elevator 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge and continue on to the Hurricane Deck, which has a vantage point that is just 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls. Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of Central Park, created a park that complements the falls with extensive gardens, trails, and scenic views, and there are numerous activities to explore besides touring the falls. 

Leonard Harrison State Park  

Leonard Harrison State Park is located on the eastern rim of Pine Creek Gorge, commonly referred to as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The Vista View offers stunning views of the entire gorge at either end. There are several hiking trails in the park, including the Turkey Path, which leads down into the gorge and to the 62-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail. A mile of the Pine Creek Rail Trail lies within the park at the bottom of the gorge. Hikers on the trail will see rocky outcroppings and waterfalls, and there are turkeys, black bears, deer, coyotes, river otters, and more within the park. There are also several buildings throughout that were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Along the Way

Hersheypark

Hersheypark was originally founded in 1906 as a leisure park for employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. The park was later opened to the public, and it has seen many renovations, expansions, and new rides in the ensuing years. The park has a 110-acre campus with a water park, a zoo, and 76 rides and attractions. The adjoining Hershey's Chocolate World is a visitor center site that has restaurants, shops, and a chocolate factory-themed riding tour. Some of the newer additions include Hershey’s Chocolatetown area and the Candymonium rollercoaster.

Philadelphia Mint

The Philadelphia Mint was the United State's first mint. It is still a working mint that not only provides manufacturing services for monetary units but also serves to preserve historical artifacts and educate the public. The mint's products include circulating coins, commemorative coins, medals, and other numismatic items. Visitors to the mint will see modern manufacturing processes, such as blanking, annealing, bonding, striking, and more. There is a display of the history of the United States Mints and an exhibit of the presidents and heroes who have been awarded Congressional gold medals. Every president receives a Congressional medal that contains the face of the president, and many military heroes receive these medals as well. The David Rittenhouse Room also has many historically significant displays.

Statue of Liberty National Monument  

This park contains both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and is located in New Jersey and New York. The Statue of Liberty site on Liberty Island includes the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Liberty Museum, and the Ellis Island immigration station and immigrant hospital are on Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty was designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was a gift from France. France provided the statue while the U.S. provided the pedestal for the monument. The statue was dedicated in 1986. Popular activities at both locations include visiting the museums, touring the interior of the statue, and walking through the halls of the Ellis Island immigration buildings. There are daily free tours led by park rangers on Liberty Island that include information on the history of the Statue of Liberty.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is the second-largest city in New York and is located on the eastern shores of Lake Erie at the border of Ontario and the state of New York. Buffalo is an access point for visiting the falls of Niagara Falls, and visitors can also walk along the Canalside riverwalk or tour one of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural designs, the Darin D. Martin House. Niagara Falls/Grand Island KOA is only seven miles from Niagara Falls and is close to state parks. There are plenty of dump stations nearby. 

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

The city of Wilkes-Barre has a long history of mining and other economic industries. While visiting, you can hike on nearby trails, such as the Falls Trail inside Ricketts Glen State Park, which has a number of beautiful waterfalls. The Seven Tubs Recreation Area is also next to Wilkes-Barre and has multiple waterfalls, tubs, and flumes that are cut into the rocks. The Eckley Miner's Village showcases life for the early coal miners, and the unique interior of the Luzerne County Courthouse is well worth a visit. Cozy Creek Family Campground is on Tunkhannock Creek and has great fishing, swimming, and boating activities for the family. If you need to use a dump station, there are many in the area.

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania  

Lewisburg is located beside the Susquehanna River in the Susquehanna River Valley and has lots of interesting activities you and your family will enjoy. There are many cultural and historical sites, such as Bucknell University's 450-acre campus that has more than 100 buildings of architectural significance. You can walk along the lamp-lit streets in the downtown historical district and walk through buildings like the Packwood House Museum. There are also numerous balloon rides that travel over the valley region. Leonard Harrison State Park is a great place to park your RV during your road trip from Philadelphia to Niagara Falls. Utilizing a dump station is conveniently easy. 

Find Adventure from Philadelphia to Niagara Falls

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Philadelphia to Niagara Falls, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Philadelphia or Niagara Falls.