Cabin camping near Fallston, Maryland offers overnight accommodations throughout northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania within a 40-mile radius. The area sits at the transition between the Piedmont Plateau and Coastal Plain, with elevations ranging from 300-600 feet. Fall temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, making it ideal for cabin rentals during cooler months when tent camping becomes less comfortable.
What to Do
Hiking trails: 5-8 miles of options at Susquehanna State Park Campground, located 20 minutes northeast of Fallston. "I went for a lovely 3 mile evening hike on the trail just down the hill behind the campsite. Scared a bunch of deer (ok they scared me!!) and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see!" The park contains historic structures along the trails, adding educational elements to your exploration.
Fishing opportunities: multiple species available at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. The 340-acre Pinchot Lake holds bass and panfish accessible from shore. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore." Bring your own tackle and valid fishing license, as rangers regularly check credentials.
Disc golf courses: 18 holes available at Gifford Pinchot State Park. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! We played the first 10 holes around the Conewago day use area and I was shocked at how much poison ivy we had to dodge all over the prime walking areas through the course." Courses range from flat meadows to hilly wooded terrain, offering different skill challenges.
What Campers Like
Cabin locations: waterfront options at Elk Neck State Park Campground, approximately 35 minutes east of Fallston. "Stayed in the North East loop and there are mini cabins available as well." Many cabins offer water views and convenient access to park facilities. The campground maintains cabins on pet-friendly loops as well.
Campground activities: family-focused at Tucquan Park Family Campground. "This campground goes above and beyond to make you feel like home... This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court." Most activities operate seasonally, so check availability before booking off-season stays.
Bathroom facilities: regularly maintained throughout most cabin camping areas. At Susquehanna State Park, "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated." Many cabins position within short walking distance to facilities, but bring flashlights for nighttime trips as pathways may be unlit.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: book early for cabin accommodations, especially at popular parks. Tucquan Park fills quickly: "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free." Most cabins require 2-night minimum stays on weekends.
Site preparation: terrain varies by location. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground." This applies primarily to tent sites adjacent to cabin areas.
Wi-Fi access: limited coverage at most campgrounds. "The campground WiFi does not reach the primitive sites and I had 0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises (my carrier is AT&T)." Download maps and information before arrival, as cell service remains spotty throughout rural camping areas.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: verify proximity to your cabin site. At Codorus State Park Campground, "The playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop. This is great if you want to be away from the playground, as you can book one of the sites further off and not have kids running about."
Kid-friendly trails: manageable distances under 1.5 miles work best for young hikers. "We hiked back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail. The beginning was pretty rough for me, since I was wearing my infant son while navigating an uphill trail, but it quickly evened out."
Swimming options: seasonal availability varies by location. At Codorus State Park, "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground." Most park pools operate Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some extending into September on weekends only.
Tips from RVers
Campsite layout: request end units when possible for more privacy. At Cherry Hill Park, "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side." Cabins often follow similar layout patterns as RV sites.
Utility connections: verify before booking as cabin amenities vary significantly. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped." This applies to cabin access roads as well, which may present challenges during wet weather.
Supply locations: note distances to nearest stores. At Tucquan Park, "It's about a 15/20 minute drive to any sort of grocery or liquor store so we wished the camp store had more to offer." Most cabin locations require bringing your own bedding, pillows, cookware and food supplies regardless of what kitchen facilities are available.
