Cabin camping near Lords Valley, Pennsylvania provides year-round accommodations across several state parks in the Pocono Mountains region. At an elevation of about 1,300 feet, the area experiences seasonal temperature variations with summer highs around 80°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Several cabins throughout the region remain open during winter months when many campgrounds close for the season.
What to do
Lake activities: fishing and paddling: At Secluded Acres Campground, visitors enjoy both swimming and fishing sections of the lake. "An area of the lake is to swim and the other to fish in. Catch and release only," explains Luis B. The campground maintains distinct zones for different water activities.
Hiking: access to the Appalachian Trail: High Point State Park offers direct access to miles of hiking trails. "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail," notes Trip Over Life. Visitors can obtain trail maps at park offices.
Stargazing: clear night skies: The mountainous terrain provides excellent viewing conditions on clear nights. "The beach area was an excellent place to gaze at the stars," according to Carolyn M. at Pickerel Point. Lake beaches often provide open views with minimal light pollution.
Winter activities: ice fishing: For cabin campers seeking winter activities, Promised Land State Park stays open for cold-weather recreation. "The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing (see picture)," shares Mara S. Winter visitors should note that water services may be restricted during freezing temperatures.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: deer and beaver habitat: Multiple area campgrounds provide opportunities for wildlife spotting. "Beavers! Far away but exciting nonetheless," mentions Alaina Z. about their stay at Pickerel Point. Early morning and dusk offer the best chances for wildlife observation.
Clean facilities: modern bathrooms: Stokes State Forest maintains well-kept facilities that receive consistent praise. "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend," notes W L. who visited in late 2021. Many campgrounds winterize bathroom facilities by late October.
Lake access: direct from campsites: Many campers appreciate the direct water access available at several locations. "Our site had kayak access and that was a real bonus. It is a spotless facility. Even in August it was not crowded," writes Aida K. about their experience at Pickerel Point Campground.
Wooded privacy: secluded sites: Multiple campgrounds offer cabin sites with good separation. "Such wonderful rustic sites that are absolutely secluded!! Love it and just wish it was open all year round!" exclaims Julie about their experience at Secluded Acres Campground, despite being two hours from their home.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: limited winter options: Most campgrounds in the region close during winter months. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," reports Mara S. from Pickerel Point Campground. Always check operating dates before planning cabin trips.
Bear country precautions: proper food storage: Tobyhanna State Park and surrounding areas require careful food management. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," warns a reviewer. All food should be secured in vehicles or hard-sided containers when not in use.
Cell reception: limited connectivity: Network coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "The only negative is that I had almost no cell reception with Verizon," notes Mara S. about Pickerel Point. Download maps and reservation information before arriving.
Wood availability: varies by location: Some parks sell firewood while others require visitors to bring their own. "We collected our own firewood as there is none for sale in the state park. We thought that was going to be a problem but we were okay with it!" shares Angie G. about Lower Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: organized programs: Lower Lake Campground provides structured activities for younger visitors. "Kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean. The museum and crafts were closed due to Covid so that was a bummer but we found other things to do," shares Paula R. Family-oriented programming varies seasonally.
Biking opportunities: paved surfaces: Several campgrounds offer paved roads suitable for children's cycling. "Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc... We will definitely be back," mentions Paula R. about Pickerel Point. Some locations restrict biking after dark.
Playground access: multiple locations: Families appreciate play areas throughout the region. "Great playgrounds," notes Nicole S. about Otter Lake Camp Resort. Most play areas close at dusk, with some campgrounds enforcing strict usage hours.
Cabin selection: size considerations: When cabin camping with families, space allocation matters. "The cabins feature comfortable sleeping arrangements with proper mattresses and basic furnishings," according to a review. Many facilities require visitors to bring their own bedding, pillows, and towels.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: lakefront premium: RV campers often prefer water-adjacent sites for the views and access. "I loved being lakefront with full hook up. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. The campsites are kinda close together so if you don't like meeting new people you may not like it," advises Stephanie C. from Otter Lake Camp Resort.
Hookup variations: electrical options: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of service. "We had full hookups (20/30/50 amp, water & sewer). There's no cable but we were able to pickup about 6 channels with our digital antenna," reports Debbie W. about Pickerel Point.
Winter operations: off-season camping: Some RV-friendly locations maintain year-round access. "We are lucky enough to have a lakefront site at Otter Lake for the Winter season, and feel like we have gone to heaven!" shares Melody. Winter campers should confirm which services remain operational during cold months.
Site levelness: terrain challenges: The mountainous terrain creates some challenging parking situations. "The tent was too long for the 12'x10' platform, so we had to set it up on the flattest part and hope not to roll down the hill in the night," explains Dwight D. about their High Point State Park experience. Some campers recommend bringing leveling blocks.
