Centre Hall cabins offer access to Pennsylvania's ridge and valley region at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. The area sits between Mount Nittany and Tussey Mountain, creating a microclimate that sees cooler nights even during summer months. Water access varies significantly between properties, with some offering direct creek frontage and others focusing on forest settings.
What to do
Caving excursions: Woodward Cave Campground maintains its own cave attraction with guided tours. "This campground is off the beaten path which we like. Best part was it had it's own cave! No playground for the kids but with the cave we didn't mind," notes one visitor.
Beach swimming: Poe Valley State Park Campground features a sand beach area for visitors. "The beach was nice, not crowded, soft sand, and warm water. It's a great lake to kayak or paddle board on," shares a camper who appreciated the waterfront amenities.
River recreation: Many cabin rentals are located near water access points. At Waterside Campground and RV Park, waterfront cabins provide direct access to the Juniata River. A camper recommends specific sites: "Absolutely beautiful if you are riverside. Stay on the waterside! Sites 48-53. Stayed at 49, it was absolutely perfection!"
Trail access: Cabin options near Centre Hall connect to extensive trail networks. At Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground, trails start right from the campground. "Hiking & biking. Gorgeous in the fall with spectacular mountain views nearby," notes one visitor.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Some cabin properties offer enhanced bathroom facilities. One camper at Bellefonte-State College KOA noted, "The individual bathroom/showers were great & clean. Office facilities & firewood access were also nice."
Child-focused activities: Families appreciate dedicated activities for younger visitors. Buttonwood Campground offers multiple entertainment options: "Our kids really enjoyed the bounce pillow, laser tag and peddle cars the most," reports a satisfied camper.
Limited connectivity: The remote nature of cabins near Centre Hall creates a technology break. At Poe Valley State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "There isn't any cell service as you are way back in the mountain but it's so beautiful and relaxing you won't care!!"
Fishing opportunities: Many cabin locations provide fishing access. Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers lake fishing, with one camper noting, "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding."
What you should know
Reservation lead time: State park cabins require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. For properties near Penn State, football weekends create high demand. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, one visitor observed, "We stayed here over a weekend and the campground was packed because there was a Penn State football game. Once the weekend was over, the park cleared out."
Water pressure concerns: Some cabin properties experience utilities limitations. A camper at Bellefonte-State College KOA reported, "The water pressure… or lack of water pressure. Saying it trickled out would be generous."
Accessibility challenges: Some cabin areas have difficult access roads. One visitor warned, "IMPORTANT— almost got killed getting just off the freeway to make the left turn towards the koa — please be careful. Traffic either side does not stop or slow, and they are going extremely fast. Be patient."
Seasonal considerations: Many cabins in the area operate seasonally. Bald Eagle State Park only offers cabin rentals from "2nd Friday April to mid December," while some private campgrounds maintain year-round availability.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Different cabin providers offer varying family amenities. Buttonwood Campground provides multiple kid-friendly activities: "There was laser tag, playground, jump pillow, pedal carts! There was even something for the parents! They have a wine barn on site with different beverages including wine slushes!"
Swimming facilities: Look for cabins with water access or pools. Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground offers a beach with amenities: "The lake is small, more like a pond, but super cold and clean water, as it is fed by two mountains streams. The beach is amazing. Tons and tons of clean sand, no rocks, and lots of space to play and swim."
Wildlife education: Some properties offer ranger programs. At Bald Eagle State Park, a visitor recounted, "We discovered one of the evening talks about the eagles nesting in the park and the ranger set up binoculars for us to try and see the nest."
Kitchen considerations: Cabin kitchens range from minimal to comprehensive. Seven Mountains Campground cabins feature "a gas stove or microwave inside(fire-ring out), with cold food/drinks and ice from the'big' mini-fridge," allowing flexible meal preparation options.
Tips from RVers
Site challenges: Some locations offer difficult positioning for larger vehicles. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, a camper described, "Getting into the site was almost impossible. We didn't think we'd be able to do it. And as it was, our slide out was about an inch away from a tree on one side and up against a raised concrete pad on the other."
Site selection strategy: Look at specific site numbers when booking. A visitor at Bald Eagle State Park advised, "Definitely look at pictures of your site before reserving. The distance between spots was good. Roads were a little narrow but manageable."
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly between properties. A camper at Bellefonte-State College KOA warned, "Make sure you have leveling tools as the sites are not very level side-to-side. The sites are also small and tightly packed."
Electric hookups: Power options vary across cabin rentals. At Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground, sites offer electric service with some limitations compared to private campgrounds that might offer additional amenities.
