Cabin camping near Glen Rock, Pennsylvania offers visitors rural charm amid the rolling hills of southern Pennsylvania. Located at approximately 700 feet elevation, the area experiences mild summers with average highs in the 80s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Cabins throughout the region range from primitive camping cottages with basic electricity to deluxe accommodations featuring private bathrooms and kitchenettes.
What to do
Hiking on nearby trails: At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple trails for day hikes. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles. I also hiked/jogged the Quaker Race Trail and that was nice, too," shares one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Many cabin rentals provide access to stocked fishing waters. "We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground," notes a camper at Gifford Pinchot. At Cedar Lake Family Campground, "the lake is nice and they stock it with trout. The animal area could stand a good cleaning, but my little one enjoyed them."
Historical tours: The area's location near Gettysburg offers history enthusiasts easy access to battlefield tours. "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river!" reports a visitor at Thousand Trails Circle M, which provides a good base for exploring the region.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many cabin campers appreciate well-maintained bathhouses. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, visitors note "clean bathhouses! Fun activities planned through the season." Another camper mentioned, "This campground goes above and beyond to make you feel like home. Campground bath houses were very clean, nice hot showers with great showerhead that stayed on without pushing a button."
Family entertainment: Activities for children rank high on camper satisfaction. At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, "This was a fast favorite! We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us." Another visitor shared, "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
Location near attractions: Cabins situated close to regional attractions receive positive reviews. "The good news is they expect all work done by the summer and it looks like it's going to be really nice. A pool, mini golf, pavilion, and premium sites are being constructed," notes a visitor at Artillery Ridge Campground, highlighting ongoing improvements to enhance the camping experience.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many cabin rentals in the Glen Rock area operate seasonally. "We had to overcome a minor bit of confusion at checkin but the staff resolved it reasonably quickly. I have a non-traditional RV, which I informed the campground of when I made the reservation, but the gate security wasn't aware," noted a camper at Gettysburg Farm.
Site privacy concerns: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are pretty close together but thankfully we didn't have anyone to the side of us," explains a camper at Tucquan Park. At Gettysburg Campground, "the two drawbacks are that the sites are quite packed together and the noise of traffic—at least in the frontmost sites—can get rather loud at night."
Reservation timing: Popular cabin rentals fill quickly during peak season. "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free. Note: The campground WiFi does not reach the primitive sites and I had 0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises (my carrier is AT&T)," reports a visitor to Tucquan Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for cabins at campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. "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. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake," shared a visitor at Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Space for outdoor play: Select cabin sites with ample room for games and activities. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, "we stayed here tenting twice, once last year and once this summer. They have upgraded the tent sites since last year, no more primitive sites, all the tent sites are now mulch pad with water and electric. Bathrooms are very clean and modern, but a decent walk from tent sites."
Swimming options: Cabin camping with pool access adds value for families with children. "This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court," notes a Tucquan Park visitor. Similarly, at Cedar Lake, campers report "amazing and clean. Staff was friendly and courteous. Price is affordable."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For those with RVs and cabins, finding level sites matters. "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. It is absolutely beautiful out. The grounds are well-kept, and aside from the 8pm Saturday night golf cart parade that was beyond loud, it's been really quiet and peaceful," shares a camper at Thousand Trails Circle M.
Utility connections: Check cabin and RV site utility availability before booking. "Site Details: I forget our site#, but we were in the wooded area farthest from the central 'hub'(in the top left corner if you're looking at a campground map). Our site was level, shaded and quite large. Almost every site in this section was similarly large and wooded, with an impressive amount of space between sites for a KOA," notes a camper at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA.
Accessibility considerations: Road conditions and site spacing affect larger vehicles. "This is a nice quiet little campground. The people who run it are super helpful and the store is well stocked with anything you need. They have plenty of events and the pool is nice and clean to cool off on those hot camping days," reports a visitor to Tucquan Park.
