Cabin camping near Airville, Pennsylvania offers accommodations in a region with an average elevation of 600-750 feet above sea level. The area sits at the junction of the Susquehanna River and Muddy Creek, creating diverse terrain for campers. Many cabins in this region remain accessible year-round, though winter visitors should verify road conditions during Pennsylvania's snowy months from December through February.
What to do
Kayaking and river activities: Several campgrounds near Airville provide river access for boating and fishing. At Susquehannock State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy direct river access. "There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles. There are amazing wildflowers on that trail," notes one visitor.
Hiking and trail exploration: The terrain around Airville features wooded paths and riverfront trails. "There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River. One trail has two amazing specimen trees," according to a camper at Susquehannock State Park.
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features multiple disc golf courses. "Both areas have their own 18 hole disc golf course, but I will say: BEWARE of poison ivy!! The Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill," warns a visitor.
Fishing and nature viewing: The waterways near Airville offer various fishing opportunities. "There are some excellent views of the Susquehanna River," reports a camper at Susquehannock State Park, while another notes it's "a great place to see lots of eagles."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers secluded camping areas. "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," shares one visitor.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned in reviews. At Country Acres Campground, a camper notes, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools or lake access. "The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained," remarks a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville.
Fishing ponds: On-site fishing is available at multiple locations. A Tucquan Park visitor mentions, "They also have a nice little pond you can fish. The only downside I could find is the amount of permanent sites makes it seem more like your staying in a trailer park."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Booking ahead is essential, particularly for cabin accommodations. At Old Mill Stream Campground, "If you reserve online you can see the availability and pick your site which is always a nice feature. They also have pictures of each campsite on the website so you really know what you are getting."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate on specific schedules. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground is open from "2nd Friday in April to October 31," while Thousand Trails Circle M operates from "April 7 to November 26."
Location considerations: Proximity to roads and attractions varies. One camper at Old Mill Stream notes, "The campground is in a good location to Lancaster and other quaint Amish towns like Bird-In-Hand, Paradise, and Intercourse."
Environmental factors: Weather and natural elements affect camping experiences. "Due to my father passing, me and my daughter stayed there 3 nights. I will be back another time to actually enjoy the lake and being between Lancaster and Gettysburg makes both places easy to access," shares a visitor to Gifford Pinchot.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm receives praise for its family amenities. "They have a pool area looks great. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," notes a visitor.
Choose activity-rich campgrounds: Campgrounds with multiple attractions keep children engaged. "The kids enjoyed the playground the most. There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish, but we had forgotten our fishing gear," shares a Tucquan Park camper.
Consider cabin options for cooler weather: Cabins provide comfort during shoulder seasons. A Thousand Trails Circle M visitor reports, "We decided to camp in the fall and did a cabin since it was colder and we had the baby. We loved it! The cabin was cute, clean, and warm. It snowed a bit but we had an outdoor fire."
Check event schedules: Many campgrounds host family activities. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" explains a visitor to Thousand Trails Circle M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choosing the right location within campgrounds impacts experience. "We stayed in site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," notes a Gifford Pinchot visitor.
Hookup variations: Electric and water connections differ between locations. Country Acres Campground offers "Pull-Thru site will all hookups in good working order. Site felt spacious with a nice grass strip."
Access considerations: Entrance routes can be confusing at some locations. At Old Mill Stream, "The entrance in off the main road turns you into the theme park. Fear not. Turn in and follow the road to the right and into the campground. We stayed on site 123 with a 40 ft Allegro Bus. Plenty of room to maneuver a big rig."
Seasonal amenities: Services and facilities change throughout the year. A Codorus State Park visitor advises, "No water but the bath house was close and very clean."
