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.

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.

Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park

Are you in need of a campground near Prospect, PA? Prospect is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Prospect, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Prospect

The Best Camping Near Prospect, Pennsylvania

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](http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/StayOvernight/OrganizedGroupCamping/Pages/default.aspx).

Only Two Ways to Tent Camp at Moraine...

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!

Beautiful place to experience a peaceful nature getaway!

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

Awesome!

*   Group Tenting
*   Cabins
*   Kayaking/Canoeing
*   Motor boating 15hp or less
*   Sailboats
*   Bike Trail
*   Great Fishing Spots
*   Swimming Area
*   Snowmobile Trail

Beautiful Scenery, Great Camping Areas, Alot of Fun

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.

No campground, though shelter sites accessible for backpacking

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.

Beyond the Great Outdoors

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

Great park but no rv sites

"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.

No 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 

Photos of Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park

Real photos from real campers