Cabin camping near Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania offers access to the rich limestone valleys and surrounding Blue Mountain ridges at elevations between 400-1,800 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows reaching 20°F. Many cabin rentals remain accessible from April through November, with some state parks extending cabin availability through mid-December.
What to do
Trail exploration: Pine Grove Furnace State Park provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail, with cabin rentals positioned near multiple hiking options. "We did a very nice run from our campsite out to the scenic viewpoint on top of Pole Steeple (about 7ish miles). The lake is great to jump in and cool off after a summer run," notes a visitor.
Water recreation: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers water-adjacent cabin options near its 340-acre lake. "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs. It has a small beach area within the campground loop that we camped in, but the main beach is on the other side of the large Pinchot Lake."
Historical sites: Little Buffalo State Park maintains cabins within 30 minutes of multiple historical locations. "The Park also has an old iron furnace (hence the name) with historical information about it. There is an Appalachian trail museum, which was very neat to check out, and the old Ironmaster's Mansion serves as a hostel and event venue."
What campers like
Creek access: Some cabins at Mountain Creek Camp Ground feature streamside locations for added recreation. "Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters," one reviewer mentions, while another adds, "My husband loved finding frogs and fish. Lots of activities going on even during the week."
Family amenities: Cabins at Deer Run Campgrounds come with recreational opportunities on-site. "Fun campground! Pool was nice, playground was nice and the golf cart rental was fun!" A reviewer also noted the "Concerts, games, pool, hikes" that made for "a wonderful family time."
Wooded settings: Many cabins at Caledonia State Park Campground are positioned beneath mature forest canopy. "The campground offered a lot of hiking trails and swimming. We got to meet a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail," according to feedback from visitors.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Gettysburg Campground, cabin locations vary significantly. "The tenting area is calm and has a creek right next to it to listen to in the evening and morning. One of the drawbacks of this campground is that a lot of the trees are black walnut trees and the squirrels do not shy away from dropping the walnuts like bombs on your head, car, or table when you're preparing breakfast."
Off-season considerations: Many cabins require advance planning, especially for fall weekends. Cabin options at Pine Grove Furnace State Park operate from March through mid-December, while Little Buffalo State Park's cabins remain available year-round.
Utility details: Not all cabin rentals include the same amenities. Gifford Pinchot State Park offers varying electric hookups for cabin sites, with many requiring guests to fill water containers at central spigots rather than having direct water access.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Little Buffalo State Park Campground cabins provide access to a family-friendly pool area. "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!"
Wildlife viewing: Many cabin sites offer opportunities for nature observation. At Gettysburg Farm (Thousand Trails), "The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us. The main attraction is the animals, but there is also a cute playground for the kids."
Distance planning: Some facilities require walking or driving to reach amenities. "Nice for a smaller campground. Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up," notes a reviewer at Little Buffalo State Park.
Tips from RVers
Cabin alternatives: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers varied accommodation options beyond traditional cabins. "Gifford Pinchot is one of the largest state park campgrounds (339 campsites) in PA with a lot of different types of camping available: tent sites, RV sites, group camping, yurts / camping cottages / cabins, and everything in between."
Off-site attractions: When choosing cabin locations, consider proximity to regional destinations. Multiple campgrounds provide access to Gettysburg (40 minutes), Hershey (45 minutes), and Lancaster (60 minutes) attractions within reasonable driving distance.
Seasonal planning: Most cabin facilities have limited winter availability. "We camped here over Columbus Day weekend. We wanted a quiet escape. We had one of the few full hook up sites. Very quiet and peaceful. Lots to do at the lake if you want or quiet enough to just kick back," reports a visitor to Little Buffalo State Park.
