Cabins near Dallastown, Pennsylvania sit within York County, approximately 50 miles north of the Maryland border. The area features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 400-700 feet, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Fall temperatures average 55-70°F during daytime, ideal for cabin stays when many campgrounds transition to off-season rates but maintain core amenities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers multiple fishing spots with specific areas designated for shore fishing. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," notes one visitor who enjoyed the park's lake access points. Fishing licenses are required and actively checked by rangers.
Trail exploration: The 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail at Gifford Pinchot provides scenic waterside hiking. According to a camper, "I took an early morning hike on the Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles." Nearby White Rocks Trail connects with the Appalachian Trail for extended hiking options.
Mini-golf adventures: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm maintains an on-site miniature golf course, part of their recreation package for overnight cabin guests. While some facilities show age, visitors appreciate the accessibility: "They have upgraded any of the activities such as miniature golf and the pool area looks great."
Farm animal interactions: For families with children, farm animal encounters provide unique experiences. "The main attraction is the animals, but there is also a cute playground for the kids," reports one visitor about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. Morning feeding times allow guests to participate in caring for goats, pigs, chickens and horses.
What campers like
River access: Multiple cabin locations offer direct water access for recreation. A visitor to Tucquan Park describes, "This campground features a nice little pond to fish. They offer a small paddle boat to take any time you want on their little lake on site." Water features often serve as focal points for cabin placement.
Quiet woodland settings: Wooded cabin sites provide privacy and natural shade. As one camper at Old Mill Stream Campground observed, "Our campsite was perfectly level and had a large gravel patio area and a large shade tree behind us." Tree coverage significantly affects temperature regulation inside cabins without air conditioning.
Seasonal activities: Most parks organize scheduled events based on the calendar. "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol," explains a visitor to Merry Meadows, highlighting how seasonal programming enhances cabin stays beyond standard amenities.
Pool facilities: Swimming pools remain popular amenities for cabin guests. "The pool through RV sites are in the centerfield and kind of exposed to the elements but you are right across from the pool and right across from an amazing playground," notes one Merry Meadows visitor, indicating the strategic placement of recreation areas.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Peak season cabin rentals require significant advance planning. At popular locations like Codorus State Park Campground, availability becomes extremely limited: "The primitive tent loop which is right on the lake... can get a little busy on the weekends since there is a boat launch at the end of the primitive lane."
Noise considerations: Location-specific noise sources affect cabin experiences. As a visitor to Hersheypark Camping Resort observed, "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Environmental factors: Agricultural surroundings sometimes impact camping conditions. One visitor to Old Mill Stream noted, "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot. The smell was not present the first day or so we were there and we enjoyed sitting outside in the afternoon, but when the wind shifted the horrid smell drove us inside."
Cash requirements: Some facilities maintain traditional payment systems. A Merry Meadows camper shared: "One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking cabins with children, location relative to play areas matters. A visitor to Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA noted, "Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly. Price is fair and not nearly as expensive as many other KOAs but the quality is just as good!"
Swimming options: Family-friendly water access varies by location. At Codorus State Park, "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground." This distinction between swimming permissions affects family planning.
First-timer friendly: Some cabin locations specifically cater to camping novices. One family reported, "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach." Gentle introduction experiences reduce equipment needs.
Age-specific activities: Parks often segment programming by age groups. A Thousand Trails visitor described, "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires." Advance activity schedules help families plan cabin stays around special events.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Thousand Trails Circle M offers varied cabin positioning within the property. "As with all thousand trails, this campground is first come best site. While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!" Location preferences significantly impact overall experience.
Bathroom proximity: Cabins with internal facilities command premium pricing. Those with external bathrooms require planning: "Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced." Assessment of bathroom cleanliness consistently appears in reviews as a critical decision factor.
Seasonal considerations: Off-peak cabin rentals offer different experiences. "We got there later in the evening and it was really difficult to find something in the dark," notes one Gettysburg Farm visitor, highlighting the importance of arrival timing, especially during shorter daylight hours.
Utility reliability: Power stability varies between locations. One visitor reported, "Power outage at a lot of the campground Friday night due to a tree down on the power lines. My section kept power, so I was happy." Cabin selection in different campground sections impacts vulnerability to weather-related disruptions.
