Rustic cabin rentals near Artemas, Pennsylvania offer camping experiences within the valley contours and hardwood forests of south-central Pennsylvania. This mountainous region sits at elevations between 900-1600 feet with cool summer evenings even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Most cabin properties maintain gravel access roads that can become rutted after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trail access: Rocky Gap State Park features a 5-mile trail around Lake Habeeb with varied terrain. "The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable. Great way to see all sides of the park. Across the lake from the campground is a casino and resort," notes Jeff H.
Lake activities: Fishing ponds and swimming areas are available at several campgrounds near Artemas. At Rocky Gap State Park Campground, "Nice beach area with volley ball nets. Lots of paddle boards and canoes for rent," according to visitor reviews.
Winter accessibility: Shawnee State Park Campground remains open year-round, allowing for off-season cabin experiences when many other facilities close. "We closed out the season with a trip here. It was absolutely serene and beautiful as the leaves were changing, fall vastly approaching," writes Sabrina H. about her late-season visit to a nearby campground.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Cabin areas typically offer more seclusion than RV sites. At Camp Cacapon, "The campground is beautiful and everything is well maintained. The bathroom is clean. There is open space and tree cover. There is river access," according to Jessica W.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses near cabin areas are regularly maintained at most parks. Kimberly H. notes about her cabin stay: "The bath house was kept very clean, even though the campground was full. We brought paddle boards and the lake was perfect for paddle boarding."
Off-grid relaxation: Limited cellular connectivity at Cowans Gap State Park Campground creates opportunities for digital detox. "Our first time at Cowans Gap and we loved it. 5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice," reports Tom R.
What you should know
Cabin availability: Reservations for cabins fill quickly for summer weekends and fall foliage season. Book at least 3-4 months ahead for peak times.
Temperature fluctuations: Mountain elevation causes significant day/night temperature changes. "It was a hot day and we found a great shallow area and decided to take a dip and the lifeguards came out on boat and kindly told us we could not swim," mentions one visitor about unexpected rule enforcement.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway noise. At Hidden Springs Campground, "The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long."
Limited grocery options: The closest full-service grocery stores are 20-30 minutes away in Bedford or Cumberland. Small convenience stores offer basic supplies at premium prices.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas keep children entertained at several campgrounds. "This campground is pretty big. The RV sites and tent sites are separated by a drive down the road. The RV side has all the cool stuff; store, pavilion, basketball courts, playground, etc," notes Sammii D. about Little Orleans Campground.
Organized activities: Weekend programming often includes family-friendly events. "Lots of weekend events and bingo at the camp store, friendly helpful staff! Great sites!" says Melissa C.
Beach facilities: Sandy beach areas with designated swimming zones provide supervised water access. "One of our favorites! campground sits right on a gorgeous lake. Lots of fishing options including boats you can rent. A walking trail wraps around the whole lake. There's lots of hiking trails, a real sand beach and swimming area, pedal boat and canoe rentals," shares Beth C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection research: Review site maps carefully before booking. At Friendship Village Campground, "In my opinion, the best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit."
Leveling requirements: Many cabin and RV sites require blocking for level setup. One camper noted, "Our site P1 is a full hook up pull through but it's really unlevel. We ran out of blocks trying to level on this site and were still off a bit."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall camping offers fewer crowds but requires preparation for cold nights. "For tent campers I recommend staying in the area of sites 5-25 as there is a very nice bathhouse very close by. For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500," advises a frequent visitor.
