Sometimes the best things come in the smallest packages. Sure, it’s an old cliché, but two of the smallest national parks to visit in the country, which just so happen to be in Pennsylvania, prove that cliché to be true.

**Editor’s note: please note that both of these national parks are currently closed to visitors due to COVID-19. For more information, visit each park’s page on the National Parks Service website, linked below.

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia
Edgar Allan P?e National Historic Site, 532 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA
Yelp/R.V.
Literary legend Edgar Allan Poe, along with his wife, spent six years as Philadelphia residents. The couple, however, lived only one year (1843-44) in the residence at 532 North 7th Street, a National Historic Site run by the National Park Department. Unfortunately, this small national park, which spans only .52 of an acre, is the only one of Poe's Philadelphia homes to remain standing.
Yelp/Michael U.
This tiny national park, which has no admission fee, is also a museum dedicated to Poe's time in Philadelphia. However, that which remains in Poe's last Pennsylvania home is sparse as most of his furniture went with him when he moved to New York City. The building next to Poe's official home houses exhibits and a reading room.
Yelp/Rob S.
During his yearlong residence at 532 North 7th Street, the author of The Raven published two more works: The Spectacles and The Gold-Bug. He also wrote The Black Cat, which depicts what historians believe is the basement at the home.
Yelp/Grace Y.
Children between the ages of five and seven can participate in the National Park Services' popular Be A Junior Ranger program while visiting the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site. The program requires reading a short booklet (which you can print out ahead of time) and completing the exercises. Five completed exercises result in the child earning a Junior Ranger's badge.

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Yelp/Joes L.
The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site welcomes visitors Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (The historic site closes for an hour from noon to 1 p.m.) Tour the historic site on your own or ask that a ranger lead you on a guided tour. Visit the NPS website to learn more and plan your trip to this national park in PA.
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial – Philadelphia
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, 301 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
National Parks Service
Encompassing only .20 of an acre, the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, also run by the National Park Department, honors a historic figure who earned national hero status in both the United States and in his birth country of Poland.
National Park Service
Kosciuszko served as a military engineer during the American Revolution, charged with fortifying battles sites, before returning to his native Poland where he led an attempted coup against occupying Russia. The Russians eventually captured him and imprisoned him for two years. Upon his release, he returned to the United States (after being warned by Russia to never return to Poland) to cheering crowds.
National Park Service
Upon his return to Philadelphia in 1797, Kosciuszko resided at the home on the corner of 3rd and Pine Streets, which is now one of the country's smallest national parks. In the historic home, Kosciuszko often hosted influential Americans, including Thomas Jefferson.
National Park Service
The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. between April and October. Admission to the national park is free. The historic site, which features separate floors dedicated to Kosciuszko's contributions to the American Revolution and the uprising in Poland, offers the same Junior Ranger program for children as other national parks throughout Pennsylvania. Visit the NPS website to learn more and plan your trip to this national park in PA.

A visit to two of the smallest national parks in the nation promises a revealing look at Pennsylvania’s past. Keep with the theme of visiting Pennsylvania’s tiny spots with a trip to this tiny Pennsylvania town that offers plenty to do.

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More to Explore

National parks to visit in Pennsylvania

Sarah M. | January 28, 2022

What are some of the best state parks to visit in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s a nature- and outdoor-lover’s dream. Why? Well, just consider that PA is home to 121 state parks, which give us plenty of outdoor spots to explore. Still, with all those state parks, some do tend to get overlooked. Make a promise to yourself to visit some of the lesser-known state parks in Pennsylvania, where you’ll discover local wildlife, incredible trails, and gushing waterfalls. What could be better? Nothing, we say!

What are some beautiful parks to visit in Pennsylvania?

In addition to boasting both beautiful national *and* state parks, Pennsylvania is home to numerous preserves and natural areas well-worth exploring. For starters, did you know that Pennsylvania’s home to more than 2,500 natural and manmade lakes? That means we’re never too far from a lake where we can spend a leisurely day, and we certainly have no shortage of gorgeous lakes throughout the state. Perhaps the most jaw dropping lake in Pennsylvania, Curwensville Lake features stunning blue water that’s even more striking under the golden sun. The lake, which has a sandy beach, is popular with beachgoers, swimmers, and boaters. Another place we love is Hawk Mountain, which leads the list of one of the most scenic sites in the state. It’s also home to the non-profit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, a destination that beckons bird lovers, hikers, and nature lovers. Spanning more than 2,500 acres in Kempton, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary features seven hiking trails, from daylong treks to short and sweet paths. Talk about a nature lover's dream-come-true!

What's the smallest national park in the country?

While the above national parks in Pennsylvania are two of the smallest to visit in the U.S., they aren't *the* smallest of the country's 61 national parks. That honor would go to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas! At just 5,550 acres, it's the smallest national park in the country -- but you know what they say about good things coming in small packages? This is most definitely true for this National State gem!

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