Cabin camping near Forksville, Pennsylvania offers campers access to the Endless Mountains region where elevations reach over 2,200 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging in the 70s, while winter nights often drop below freezing. Most cabin campgrounds in the region remain accessible year-round, with rustic options typically starting at $40-80 per night during off-peak seasons.
What to do
Hiking with waterfalls access: At Ricketts Glen State Park Campground, visitors can explore 22 waterfalls along well-marked trails. "The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 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," notes one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access without requiring a Pennsylvania fishing license. At Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground, guests enjoy catch-and-release fishing from private docks. "The lakeside spots are gorgeous and the private dock is great when you have kids that love to fish," shares a regular visitor.
Seasonal activities: Halloween weekends at campgrounds near Forksville are particularly popular for families. "We started with a trip in the summer because of their candy bar hunt and heated swimming pool. We try to get the same campsite each year because it is wooded and spacious. In talking with the extremely friendly owners we found out about their Halloween activities and have been back several times," reports a regular camper at Pioneer Campground.
What campers like
Privacy and natural settings: Campsites with seclusion rank highly among visitor preferences. At Riverside Campground & Riverside Roadhouse, guests appreciate river-adjacent sites. "I would recommend this campground. It's very peaceful and relaxing. Tent site was a good size. We had water and electric. Pricing was reasonable. The pool was very nice.. along side the river is nice to be by," explains a tent camper.
Cleanliness of facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities receive consistent praise. "Bathhouse was clean. Showers looked reasonable but I did not use them. There were many tent campers in this loop, which does not allow pets," reports a visitor to Ricketts Glen State Park Campground.
Disconnection from technology: Limited connectivity is considered a benefit by many cabin campers. "The lakeside spots are gorgeous and the private dock is great when you have kids that love to fish. If you are looking for a place to disconnect for a few days this is it. (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," shares a Pine Cradle Lake camper.
What you should know
Winter cabin preparations: For cold weather camping, prepare accordingly. "[At Worlds End] the cabins stay very warm with a wood burning stove—sometimes even too warm and windows need to stay cracked open. We purchased wood from a local gentleman who delivered. A list of these services are available inside the check-in area, which also serves as a cool local mini-museum of sorts," explains a winter cabin user.
Site selection matters: Research your specific site before booking. "The sites vary in size quite a bit and this happened to be one of the largest ones, made for a larger camper/motor home but also had a mulched area for tents which was nice. This site had electric hookups and the showers and bathrooms were a short walk away. Loop B offers more secluded campsites for tents with a few walk up sites as well."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant rainfall. "We unfortunately got stuck in infamous Northeast PA weather but we made the best of it. There were thunderstorms and campsite was a little flooded but we were still able to camp," shares a camper at Riverside Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near amenities: For families with young children, bathroom proximity makes a difference. "I chose this campground because the photos of the pool/splash pad looked fun. It turns out the tent site we had was the most wooded and cozy site we have camped in all year. The restrooms were fantastic too, the 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," explains a Whispering Pines Camping Estates camper.
Educational experiences: Several campgrounds feature nature programs and animal interactions. "There are designated sites for pets. There are also primitive free sites that are first come first serve. In the colder months, they even have cabins you can rent out. Plenty of hiking and swimming nearby. We always hit up the Forksville General Store for breakfast before we leave."
Off-peak benefits: Visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons provides a quieter experience. "We camped Monday to Saturday early August and only one other campsite Was occupied till Friday night. I am excited to return," notes a family who stayed at Whispering Pines.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require preparation for leveling. "Sites aren't too on top of each other. Easily accessible overflow parking. Our site was on a small stream so very buggy, but we also got to hear bullfrogs," shares an RV camper at Williamsport South-Nittany Mountain KOA.
Seasonal considerations: Make reservations early for peak periods. "This is a gated campground that we stayed at 6/30/19-7/04/19. We are NOT an RV. However, due to it being a holiday week, the tent sites were completely booked and they only have 4 (which also have water & electric). They let us book an RV site and it was rough setting up on a gravel RV site."
Utility connections: Full hookup availability varies significantly by campground. "We had campsite 19 - pull through with full hookups (50amp, cable, water, sewer). The site was nice and long. Even though they have had a lot of rain in this area, our jacks did not sink into the ground and the site was pretty level."
