Cabins near Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania range from rustic forest retreats to modern lakeside accommodations. Located in the Laurel Highlands region at elevations between 2,000-3,000 feet, this area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with winter snowfall averages of 100+ inches annually. Cabin accommodations typically require reservations 6-12 months in advance for summer weekends and winter ski season dates.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Keystone State Park offers fishing in a large lake where you can catch various species. One visitor noted, "Small lake where you can fish, paddle boat, and swim. Quiet hours and parking are strictly enforced" while another mentioned that it's "great for fishing with plenty of hiking trails."
Water activities at Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing: This campground features a creek that provides entertainment for younger visitors. A camper shared, "All in all we had a blast playing on the playground, floating down the creek, swimming in the pool, riding bicycles etc." Many sites are positioned along the creek where "kids play in and can float down."
Hiking at Laurel Hill State Park Campground: The park offers various hiking trails through wooded areas. One camper mentioned, "The walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you are willing to walk. We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat."
Winter sports access: Hidden Valley cabins serve as bases for nearby winter activities. At Kooser State Park, one camper enjoyed "the waterfront camping and snowshoeing" and noted it offers "great XC skiing (here and nearby)," making it an excellent year-round destination.
What campers like
Privacy levels at different parks: At Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park, campers appreciate the natural setting: "The campground itself was buggy, not well maintained, and covered in poison ivy. The bathhouses themselves were great." Another visitor noted, "There are many, there is enough foliage that separate campsites that it feels somewhat private."
Mountain views at Mountain Top Campground: True to its name, this campground offers elevated vistas. A camper described it as having "wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond." Another noted, "You are on top of a mountain with great views. The spots are well spaced out and it is family owned."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention cleanliness at various parks. At Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, one visitor reported, "Very peaceful and friendly place, bathhouse are extremely clean," while another appreciated the "nice bath houses."
Seasonal themes and activities: Many campgrounds offer themed weekends. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run is known for seasonal events with one camper sharing, "We try to come every year for trick or treat! We've loved this one the most ever since we found it!"
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. One visitor to Mountain Top Campground advised, "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest route in."
Site levelness varies widely: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Raccoon Creek State Park Campground, visitors note that sites in the tent loop "are not private at all and most sites look right into the sites next to them." Another camper mentioned the bathroom was "rather dirty."
Limited grocery options: Several parks are remote from stores. For Ohiopyle State Park, a visitor advised: "Plan your meals well, before arriving. There are a couple of restaurants in Ohiopyle, but they are not open late. There are no grocery stores real close."
Pet policies differ: Not all cabins and camping areas permit pets. At Laurel Hill State Park, "There are two main loops in this campground. One that is pet friendly and more of a pitch-your-tent-in-the-yard thing and another that is pet-free and wooded."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Multiple campgrounds offer kid-friendly water activities. At Mirror Lake, sites along the creek are popular with families: "Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer play areas. At Keystone State Park, a visitor mentioned they "stayed at site 43 in the Hillside Loop because we brought our 2 large dogs. Site was very private and relatively flat."
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide organized activities. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, a visitor reported it has "2 swimming pools so you can relax without all the hustle and bustle of water slides and pirate ships."
Quieter campground sections: For families seeking peace, specific areas offer more solitude. At Keystone, a camper advised, "There are 2 campgrounds in the park, the hillside one and the one on the lake. The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy. The hillside one doesn't get near the crowds and it is set in the woods."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal access information: Not all campgrounds offer year-round accommodations. A visitor to Mountain Top Campground noted it's "open year round" with "30 + 50amp services" and "grey water dump on most sites."
Hookup limitations: Water and electricity availability varies by park and season. At Kooser State Park, one RVer mentioned, "Stayed in one of 4 full hookup sites. My complaints...WAY too close to the neighbors and VERY little shade." While the "campground is small but it is quiet and clean," another camper noted that "Route 31 is nearby but it wasn't all that noticeable."
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. At Laurel Hill State Park, a visitor warned, "The RV sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites."
Alternative dump options: Some campgrounds offer creative solutions for waste disposal. At Mountain Top Campground, they "give you the option of having a mobile pump-out come to your rig to pump you out for an additional $30 only on Wednesdays."
