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Nature

Established Camping

Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park

Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park, near Portersville, Pennsylvania, is a unique spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without the typical camping setup. While traditional camping isn't allowed within the park, there are options like group tenting and rustic cabins that provide a cozy base for your adventures.

The park is known for its stunning trails and access to Lake Arthur, making it a prime location for hiking, biking, and water activities. Visitors have praised the beautiful scenery, with one camper noting, “Moraine is definitely a must see in this area due to its beautiful trails.” You can also find great fishing spots and areas for kayaking or canoeing, ensuring there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the water.

If you're planning a visit, keep in mind that the park has limited camping options, so it's best to reserve your spot ahead of time. The facilities include picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for gathering around the fire after a day of exploring. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Moraine State Park offers a refreshing escape into nature.

Description

State Park

From the website:

Primitive tenting not allowed, only group camping as described below. Backpacking site (shelter) with permit.

Update 9/14/2020: All state park day-use and overnight lodging facilities are open according to standard seasons and hours. Group cabin camps remain closed for 2020.

Modern Cabins

Eleven modern cabins are available for rent year round. These cabins sleep six people and have:

Two bedrooms
Bathroom with shower
Kitchen
Dining/living area
Electric heat
Dock on Lake Arthur during the summer season

Renters must provide:

Linens
Towels
Cookware
Tableware

Play equipment for children is in a central area.

This activity or structure is ADA accessible.

Dogs are permitted in Cabins #7 and #11 for a fee.

Moraine State Park Cabin Map (PDF)

GPS DD: Lat. 40.96586 Long. -80.11389 No Camping

Camping is prohibited in the park. Private campgrounds nearby offer camping. Information is available at the park office. Backpacking

The Link Road Overnight Shelter on the North Country National Scenic Trail is available to backpackers by reservation only. Organized Group Tenting

There are two tent camping areas available for organized groups:

Muskrat Cove
Five Points

These rustic camps have:

Restrooms
Picnic tables
Cooking grills
Water, but no showers

Advance reservations are required. To reserve a group tent campsite, call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday, 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. except on the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day holidays.

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Location

Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park is located in Pennsylvania

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

40.95886457 N
80.05905382 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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9 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2023

Limited camping

Moraine State Park doesn't allow camping within the park and there is no campground affiated with park. The one exception is along the North Country Trail, there are 2 rustic shelters that must be reserved through the park office. There are several private campgrounds in the area

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2020

No Camping

"Camping is prohibited in the park." (That is directly off the DCNR website.)

I am not reviewing Moraine State Park (which is awesome). I am reviewing the CAMPING options at Moraine State Park. Which brings me back to the DNCR website. It says "No Camping" and "Camping is prohibited in the park. Private campgrounds nearby offer camping."

It DOES list cabins, group tenting, and a backpacking shelter, which is available by reservation only.

But this park is not where somebody looking for CAMPING would want to be.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jun. 26, 2020

Great park but no rv sites

This is a great place just of interstate 79. Been going there since I was a kid. In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2019

Beyond the Great Outdoors

I have been camping at Moraine State Park since I was 5 years old (so about 14 years). While I was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts we used the 5 Points Group Camping Area a lot. It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit.

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

No campground, though shelter sites accessible for backpacking

Moraine is a really large state park with a huge lake, nice beaches, and tons of trails.  The north country trail runs for over a dozen miles from end to end.  This review is of the shelter sites, of which there is one, for backpacking along the trail.  There are three shelters which are all very mouse infested.  I believe this is because the site does not have a bear pole or bear box, so I think most people probably don't hang their food like they should and thus the mice move in to forage.  Of the 3, the Hilltop shelter 2, which we stayed in is the nicest and private.  There is a rustic vault toilet but no water at the site.  I asked the lady at the park office if there was water nearby and she said yes, just hike down to the access road and over to the group tenting site to fillup.  I'll tell you, this is not close - easily a 2-3 mile round trip.

Reviewed Feb. 19, 2019

Awesome!

Moraine State Park is beautiful. It offers many camping styles including Group Tenting, Adirondack shelters for backpacking, and Cabins.

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2018

Beautiful place to experience a peaceful nature getaway!

I loved this place! We stayed at a group tent camping site. It was very quiet and secluded feeling, yet not far from the restrooms, bike trail, water/fishing area. Looking forward to going back and getting to explore more!

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed May. 6, 2018

Only Two Ways to Tent Camp at Moraine...

Moraine is a great park, but camping here is limited. As I understand it, this park was created so that Pittsburghers would have a place to go sailing--so camping has never been its primary draw. But it's a scenic park that has a beautiful, meandering lake with lots of coves and estuaries. There are bike trails and hiking trails all throughout, plus a bike rental shop, and two swimming beaches. The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) has an Adirondack shelter and small tenting area within the park that's reserved for backpackers. But what's to say you're not just a one-day backpacker, doing a small portion of the trail, who needs a place to spend the night? You could hike into the backpacking campground known as the Link Road Overnight Shelter and set up your tent. It would have to be primitive camping; there are no facilities of any kind. The only other way to camp at Moraine is to reserve one of the two rustic group tenting areas--which are actually very pleasant despite the absence of showers. In order to see if your group qualifies to use the group tenting area, go to this website.

SiteLink Road Shelter Area
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park by Brian S., May 6, 2018
  • Review photo of Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park by Brian S., May 6, 2018
  • Review photo of Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park by Brian S., May 6, 2018
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park has water hookups.

  • Are fires allowed at Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.