Cabin stays near Enola, Pennsylvania offer a forest retreat in the Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet across the region. Most cabin-focused campgrounds remain open from April through late October, though several winterized units provide year-round options. Fall cabin rentals typically require booking 3-6 months in advance due to peak foliage viewing.
What to do
Water activities at the lake: At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing from shore, with one camper reporting "we caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore." The park features "a 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, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water."
Historic exploration: Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers more than just cabin stays with its historic attractions. A visitor noted, "There is an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young." Another mentioned "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!"
Hiking opportunities: Trails of varying difficulty levels surround cabin rentals in the region. One camper at Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground recommended "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." This park serves as "the halfway point on the AT" (Appalachian Trail).
What campers like
Privacy and space: Unlike the tighter accommodations mentioned in other locations, Camp Hebron receives praise for its secluded cabin sites. One camper declared it "hands down the best place we've camped," adding that "the sites have lots of tree cover and they are private." Another visitor appreciated that "it is a hang out as a family and tromp around the woods kind of place."
Clean facilities: Many cabin campers prioritize bathroom cleanliness when choosing locations. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, reviewers consistently mentioned "spotless bathrooms" and that "the bath house was extremely clean and very nice." Another camper noted, "Our site was very nice! We were in a back in site #4. The patio was concrete stone, very pretty."
Waterfront options: Cabins with water views remain in high demand. A camper at Ferryboat Campsites enjoyed "a Susquehanna river view site" and mentioned that "site was level and shaded." Another visitor noted, "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. If it weren't for that this would not be the campground for us."
What you should know
Booking timelines: Most cabin rentals in the Enola area must be reserved well in advance, especially for weekend stays. At Pine Grove Furnace State Park, "we got the last available campsite for the night we stayed - I booked ahead of time by calling the campground office and they were very nice and helpful."
Cabin amenities vary: When booking cabins near Enola, Pennsylvania, remember to check what's included. Some provide basic shelter while others offer more comforts. At Thousand Trails Hershey, they have "huge RV pull-through sites, smaller sites for travel trailers/pop-ups, some tent sites (though that's clearly not their prime business), and cabins available to rent as well."
Environmental considerations: Weather and wildlife can impact your cabin stay. At Deer Run Campgrounds, a visitor warned, "the entire place smelled like a tractor meet," suggesting nearby agricultural activity. At Pine Grove Furnace, a hiker mentioned "this area (central PA in general) tends to have a lot of rattlesnakes, and we spotted one about 20 feet off the trail in a downed wood pile - cool, but a little terrifying!"
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Many cabin campgrounds offer swimming options, but policies vary. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, families appreciate the "great pool" along with "mini golf" and creek access where "kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters." Another visitor noted that "the kids had a blast, tubing in the creek, swimming pool and an excellent camp store."
Planned activities: Check activity schedules when booking cabins. At Mountain Creek, one parent mentioned, "Family friendly campground, lots of weekend activities," while another reported "Staff needed to be reminded about activities scheduled during the week."
Noise considerations: Family-friendly cabins often mean active environments. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, be aware that "trains run all night long!" according to one reviewer who suggested "making sure you aren't close to the tracks." Another noted you should "beware of skunks!" while praising the "clean, good facilities."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When choosing cabin or RV sites, location matters. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, an experienced RVer recommended, "If you're looking for trees and privacy, stick to the sites at the bottom of the hill (top of the CG map). The sites closer to the entrance of the park near all the amenities were definitely packed in tightly."
Utility access: Even when staying in cabins, it helps to know about utilities. At Pine Grove Furnace, campers noted, "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up." The cell service is also described as "spotty" as stated on their website.
Campground layout: Familiarize yourself with the property before arrival. At Ferryboat Campsites, "the showers are located in the RV section of the campground, so you will have to walk a bit if you are tent camping." Many cabin campers don't realize these practical aspects until arrival.
