Camping cabins near Brackney, Pennsylvania offer access to the Northern Tier's forested terrain, which sits at elevations between 1,300-1,800 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through March, making insulated cabins a practical choice during colder months. Most cabins in this region require 2-night minimum stays during peak summer season.
What to do
Hiking waterfall trails: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, campers can access 22 named waterfalls. "We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked," notes one visitor. The Falls Trail requires proper footwear and can be slippery after rain.
Boating on glacial lakes: Chenango Valley State Park features two glacier-formed lakes with wildlife viewing opportunities. "Great wildlife (wood ducks & kingfishers). Camp sites are simple and clean, staff helped me pick one over the phone," reports a camper. Kayak and canoe rentals cost $15-20 per half day, with first-come, first-served availability.
Swimming in dedicated areas: Pine Valley RV Park & Campground offers multiple water activities beyond swimming. According to one visitor, "So many things for kids to do. From boating, to giant swimming inflatables, putt putt even a giant slide. All part of the price of the campground." Most swimming areas open Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
What campers like
Wooded campsite privacy: Lackawanna State Park Campground maintains a forested camping environment. One reviewer notes, "The campsites are nestled in a deep shady mature forest, and peaceful and quiet due to the wooded aspect and spacing of sites." Some campsites require a 50-100 foot walk from parking areas.
Cabin amenities for comfort: Salt Springs State Park offers basic cabins with limited amenities. "Three couples all ventured to Salt Springs and split the largest cabin for a few days. We electricity from a few outlets in the cabin if needed," reports one camper. Cabins require advance reservations, especially on summer weekends.
Fishing access: Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground provides fishing opportunities from lakeside sites. "The lakeside spots are gorgeous and the private dock is great when you have kids that love to fish," mentions one visitor. The catch-and-release lake doesn't require a Pennsylvania fishing license, and no live bait is permitted.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Phone reception varies significantly across the region. At Pine Cradle Lake, "There is very very little cell reception and only wifi if you pay for it. We had to put our phones and devices down and just relax." Most campgrounds have emergency phones but limited data connectivity.
Bathroom facilities: Most parks maintain centralized bathroom buildings that may have limited capacity. At Chenango Valley, a camper reported, "Pretty good restrooms/showers. Water spigots on the loops and more water at the dump station." Expect peak usage times around 8am and 7pm.
Electrical infrastructure: Some parks have aging electrical systems. At Lackawanna State Park, one camper noted, "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained." Bringing a surge protector is advisable for RV connections.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming alternatives: Chenango Valley State Park Campground offers a beach area with a splash pad for younger children. "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house. They have fishing and boat rentals," reports one grandparent who visited with a 5-year-old.
Bike-friendly parks: Look for campgrounds with safe biking areas. A visitor to Chenango Valley advises, "Bring your bikes, the swimming is great and the entire swimming/boating area just underwent a major renovation. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards and the park is well maintained."
Private bathroom options: Some campgrounds provide individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. At Chenango Valley, "The restroom/shower buildings held two complete rooms with a toilet sink and shower in each. It's the only shower camping this year my 4yr old wasn't afraid of because we had the whole room to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for stability: When booking RV sites, inquire about level pads. One RVer at Ricketts Glen State Park noted, "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended.
Water restrictions: Temporary water quality issues can affect campsites. At Ricketts Glen, "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth." Check park alerts before arrival.
Seasonal access: Many campgrounds in the region operate with limited facilities in off-seasons. A winter visitor to Pine Crest Campground shared, "We camped in late November. A few campers. Quiet and we were able to camp on the river. Very nice owners and he brought us firewood. We were self contained. Which was best since the bath house was closed for the winter."
