Camping cabins near Luzerne, Pennsylvania occupy the eastern edge of the Allegheny Plateau, with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,300 feet throughout the region. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most cabin sites in the region are situated within mixed hardwood forests dominated by oak, maple, and hemlock trees.
What to do
Waterfall hiking at Ricketts Glen: Located 30 minutes from Luzerne, Ricketts Glen State Park features 22 named waterfalls along well-maintained trails. "There are 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. The trails are very well marked," notes a Ricketts Glen State Park Campground visitor.
Boulder Field exploration: Visit the unique geological formation at Hickory Run State Park, 45 minutes from Luzerne. "Boulders everywhere! Big ones, small ones, run (carefully) across them all! Beyond the Boulder field is a vast, scary, unknown," shares a Hickory Run State Park Campground camper.
Freshwater fishing: Several lakes near Luzerne offer excellent fishing opportunities year-round. "We took a drive on 2 afternoons on a stone road through the woods to see the Boulder Field. It was a beautiful drive. We were on the lookout for bear, but only saw 3 deer," reports a visitor to Hickory Run. Bring appropriate tackle and check local fishing regulations before your trip.
What campers like
Lake access: Many cabins provide direct lake access for swimming and boating. A visitor at Keen Lake Resort Campground states, "We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. Each day we would paddle over to the swimming area on the lake."
Winter options: Some cabin facilities remain open year-round with heating systems. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers. The park is large with many hiking trails and ice fishing," notes a winter visitor to Pickerel Point Campground.
Private tent-cabin combinations: Some locations offer walk-in tent sites with cabin access. A Red Rock Mountain camper shares, "We camped at Red Rock as couples. We stayed in primitive tent sites which you had to hike into. They were very private. We enjoyed our stay."
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: The region has a significant black bear population. "We were warned at check in that there have been a lot of bears in the area but never really thought that we would see one. As soon as we got to our site one came right up as we were setting up our tent. Do not leave any food out be sure to lock up everything in car," advises a visitor to Tobyhanna State Park Campground.
Variable cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "The campground was quiet and peaceful. We saw deer daily. There are 3 resident geese who wander around near the creek and lakes. Be advised that there was no cell service or internet for AT&T users. Verizon did have some service," notes a Moyers Grove camper.
Reservation timing: State park cabins often book 6-12 months in advance, especially for summer weekends. Popular campgrounds like Ricketts Glen fill quickly during peak foliage season from late September through October.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's recreation areas. A visitor to Highland Campgrounds writes, "Whether it's nature and back roads, or wanting to have a dip in the pool and lay in the sun, this campground is the best of both worlds. Rec room and bathrooms are older, but vintage. Playground is also older but also gives off the vintage look with some of the older, older swings and sit spin."
Educational opportunities: Look for parks with nature programs. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," shares a visitor to Lackawanna State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Cabins near swimming beaches are popular with families. "Kids had a great time! Bathrooms could be cleaned more often but relatively clean. Love that the road is paved, it makes it easy for the kids to ride bikes, skate etc," mentions a Pickerel Point camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Some campgrounds have unusual utility configurations. "Make sure you have a LONG water hose. We actually had to buy a 50 foot hose in the camp store to accommodate the distance to the spigot," advises a visitor to Moyers Grove Campground.
Site selection for privacy: RV sites offer varying levels of seclusion. "Our site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)," notes a Ricketts Glen visitor.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. "The road in (Vacation lane) is dirt, rough and narrow. There is presently no gate as well so the public can just drive in," shares a visitor to Cozy Creek Family Campground.
