Cabins near Allentown, Pennsylvania sit within the Appalachian foothills at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, making it suitable for year-round cabin stays. October typically offers prime fall foliage viewing with daytime temperatures averaging 55-65°F, while summer cabin rentals often require booking 2-3 months in advance.
What to do
Boulder field exploration: 3 miles from Hickory Run State Park Campground, visitors can walk across the 16.5-acre boulder field. "The boulder field was the highlight of our camping trip. The campground has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional (if dirty and rustic) restrooms and showers," notes Shayna.
Disc golf: 18-hole course at Boulder Woods Campground attracts players of all skill levels. "They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf," says Erik W. The course winds through wooded terrain, adding challenge to the game.
Kayaking: Access points within 15 minutes of most cabin locations. A camper at Allentown KOA mentions, "Our spot backed up right to a creek and it was beautiful." At Nockamixon State Park, visitors have access to rentals: "You can kayak there but the whole lake permits wakes so expect some choppiness as the boats go back and forth."
Fishing: Multiple species available at French Creek State Park, where "there are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish." The park maintains two lakes for fishing: Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Quakerwoods Campground provides wooded separation between camping areas. Stuart K. explains, "As a tent camper, I was impressed by how Quakerwoods segregates mi tent pitchin' bredren from the rest of the folks who bring their homes with them on wheels, placing tent sites across the other side of a small creek on the southwestern periphery near the fishing pond."
Year-round cabin options: Unlike seasonal sites, some accommodations remain open through winter. A visitor to French Creek State Park Campground notes, "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby."
Proximity to hiking trails: Colonial Woods Family Resort offers easy access to regional trails. "The campground is in the mountains of PA close enough to the Delaware River that we took a trip down using bucks County river tub company," mentions Nicole S., showing the variety of outdoor activities available.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cabins in more remote settings offer chances to hear and see local fauna. One camper describes their experience: "Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
What you should know
Cabin amenities vary widely: Basic cabins typically include beds, tables, and outdoor fire rings, while deluxe options may include indoor plumbing. At Ringing Rocks Family Campground, visitors appreciate the range of facilities: "Clean campground, clean bathrooms and showers. However, if you're tent camping the bathrooms are FAR and I highly doubt no one has ever peed outside at night."
Seasonal openings: Most cabin rentals near Allentown operate from April through October. Kathie M. from Ringing Rocks mentions, "This is an older campground, laid back and quiet. Great to just relax. Spent many weekends here and met great friends."
Reservation requirements: Weekend bookings often require 2-night minimum stays, with deposits ranging from $50-100. The cancellation policies vary by location, typically requiring 7-14 days' notice for refunds.
Alcohol policies: Rules differ between private and state park cabins. At French Creek State Park, alcohol is prohibited, while private campgrounds like Quakerwoods allow responsible consumption. Always check specific campground rules before bringing alcoholic beverages.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mountain Vista Campground provides play facilities for children. "A playground for kids," mentions Christina H., while another reviewer notes, "We had the best time camping here this past weekend! The staff is so friendly and helpful. The campsites are spacious and the facilities are clean."
Theme weekends: Many campgrounds organize seasonal activities. Justin B. shares about Ringing Rocks: "Kids had a blast with hay rides and playground. All other campers were very nice and courteous of noise curfew."
Child-friendly bathrooms: Look for facilities with family restrooms and hot water. At Colonial Woods, "The bath house with showers was clean and so was the other closer to our site."
Wildlife education opportunities: Several parks offer ranger programs specifically for children. One visitor notes, "The visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Narrow roads and low-hanging branches can cause issues for larger rigs. At Colonial Woods, Brian C. advises, "If you have a fifth wheel. The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed (almost took my ac out with a huge limb)."
Full hookup availability: Allentown KOA offers complete services. "We had a nice pull-through site and enjoyed our stay. Nice stream running through camp," says Craig C. Another camper mentions, "The gravel site was level, so I didn't even have to unhook from my truck."
Parking assistance: Some campgrounds offer staff help with difficult sites. One visitor shares, "The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did."
Off-season discounts: Winter cabin stays may come with reduced rates. "The campground was very quiet and peaceful. The owners were very friendly. The spot was spacious and comfortable," reports one off-season visitor.
