Cabin camping near Elizabethville, Pennsylvania offers accommodations within the Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,100 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Winter cabin stays often see temperatures below freezing from December through February, making heated cabin options essential for off-season visits.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Heron Retreat: The 10-acre lake provides fishing opportunities with minimal crowds. "We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning," notes one camper at Lake Heron Retreat.
Hiking on connected trails: Jonestown/Hershey KOA connects directly to regional trail systems. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc. Campground is connected to the Swatara Rail trial which is great for biking," mentions a visitor who rated Jonestown/Hershey KOA five stars.
Visit historic sites: Little Buffalo State Park includes preserved historical structures. "The historical mill was well worth the trip. By the far the highlight of ours as well. Especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!" writes a camper who visited in July.
Goat petting zoo: Ferryboat Campsites maintains a small animal area for children. "There is a small goat petting zoo, with very friendly pigmy goats and the camp is extremely pet friendly as long as they are on a leash," notes a reviewer who appreciated this unique feature.
What campers like
Privacy in wooded settings: Camp Hebron offers secluded cabin sites. "This place is a must if you like the outdoors when camping! The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private," writes a reviewer at Camp Hebron.
Waterfront cabin options: Ferryboat Campsites has riverside accommodations. "We stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors," notes a reviewer at Ferryboat Campsites.
Clean facilities: Twin Grove RV Resort maintains high standards for bathhouses. "Very well kept, bathrooms are clean, showers are hot. They do have a pool but not included in the camping price and it gets very crowded," writes a camper who visited in July.
Family-friendly amenities: Little Buffalo State Park offers multiple recreation options. "The pool here is top notch and it's good for fishing but the hiking isn't super great. We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there," shares a visitor who appreciated the organized activities.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some cabin areas provide minimal privacy. "It's an amazing little quite camping ground. Super clean. Lots of easy hiking trails and tons of fishing," notes one reviewer about Little Buffalo State Park Campground.
Seasonal restrictions: Most cabin facilities operate on limited schedules. "Camp Hebron employees 'had no clue about a Dryt app discount' and were unwilling to really do anything to help point me in the right direction," notes one camper regarding off-season policies.
Pay-for-use facilities: Some parks charge additional fees for amenities. "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! No food allowed in the pool but you can bring picnic lunch for outside the pool."
Weather considerations: Riverside properties may flood during heavy rains. "Storms with heavy rain in the area made the river rise. We were told the campground is susceptible to flooding, so check the weather when you come!"
Tips for camping with families
Pool options for different ages: Gifford Pinchot State Park has swimming facilities for various skill levels. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court," according to a visitor at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Playgrounds near cabins: Request sites close to play areas for convenience. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape," notes a recent visitor to Gifford Pinchot.
Cabin sizing and capacity: Knoebels Campground cabins accommodate larger families. "Single cabins have three double beds with two up top in the loft and one down below. I would suggest bringing an air mattress to sleep on as the mats are old and used," advises a family who stayed at Knoebels Campground.
Quiet zones vs. activity areas: Some campgrounds separate family and quieter sections. "It was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking. Some of the groups can get rather loud especially when there are a bunch of teens."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many cabin sites require adjustment equipment. "The site was plenty spacious for our pup and TV, but was not level at all. In fact, none of the surrounding sites looked very level," notes an RVer at Knoebels.
Shuttle services: Some parks offer transportation to attractions. "We were able to purchase Hershey Park tickets which were cheaper than buying from the Hershey (at a discount) and it includes shuttle service to and from the park!"
Water pressure concerns: Cabin water systems vary in reliability. "Our water pressure wasn't great, however not sure if it's the campground or us as hubby found a possible issue with our hookup," notes a camper who stayed at Lake Heron.
Seasonal site availability: Book well in advance for summer weekends. "The campground itself is nice but the sites are really close together with little between them to separate so I wasn't sure if I set up at the right site or not. They were booked for Saturday and Sunday so I only camped during the week."
