Camping cabins near Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania provide a year-round gateway to central Pennsylvania's rolling hills and fertile valleys. Located in York County at approximately 400 feet elevation, this area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most cabin camping locations remain open from April through October, with several parks offering winter accommodations for cold-weather enthusiasts.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The 1,275-acre lake at Gifford Pinchot State Park offers excellent shoreline access for anglers. One visitor reported, "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore." Remember to purchase your fishing license as "the rangers in this park check."
Disc golf courses: Play through two distinct 18-hole courses in different terrain styles. "The course in the Conewago area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill leading into the QR day use area, so it is a lot more wooded and hillier," notes one experienced disc golfer. Be aware of poison ivy along some courses.
Hiking trails: Explore the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail that circumnavigates Pinchot Lake. A hiker described it as "really awesome to see the lake from all different angles." For families with younger children, many campgrounds offer shorter nature trails through wooded areas with interpretive signs identifying local flora.
Farm animal interactions: Visit Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm where kids can interact with farm animals daily. "We enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," explains one family. The farm has scheduled feeding times where visitors can participate in caring for goats, pigs, chickens, horses, and even llamas.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathhouses throughout the region maintain high standards with regular cleaning schedules. At Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, visitors noted, "Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly. Price is fair and not nearly as expensive as many other KOAs but the quality is just as good!"
Family-friendly activities: Seasonal programming keeps kids engaged throughout their stay. Cedar Lake Family Campground earned praise as one camper explained, "This campground has it all, friendly staff, activities galore, cleanliness, & fun, fun, fun." Most cabin-equipped campgrounds offer weekend events during peak season with themed weekends, crafts, and organized games.
Wooded privacy: Many campgrounds offer sites with natural separation between neighbors. At Codorus State Park, a visitor shared, "We were in 132, which was huge and had nice open flat areas for the tent, there were actually three spots that we could have put it on, and lots of trees to hang our hammocks and options for our tarps." The park's "full shade" sites provide natural barriers while remaining accessible.
Swimming options: Public pools and beach areas offer relief during hot summer months. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," observed one visitor to Pinchot State Park.
What you should know
Site selection strategy: Arrive early for first-come, first-served campgrounds to secure prime locations. At Thousand Trails Hershey, a camper advised, "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."
Uneven terrain: Many campgrounds in the region feature sloped sites requiring leveling equipment. One camper at Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country reported, "Campground loses a star because the sites are pretty uneven. Not just the one we're on but others as well. The campground is pretty hilly and they don't seem to want to level out the sites. We had to go out and get more blocks and we're still not very level front to back."
Noise factors: Train tracks and shooting ranges affect several campgrounds in the area. A visitor to Pinch Pond Family Campground mentioned, "Main drawback is noise from road and shooting range nearby. Fortunately our dog wasn't bothered by the sound of gunshots and it's only during the day." Similarly, at Hersheypark Camping Resort, "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience occasional problems with water clarity. One camper noted rusty water at a Thousand Trails location: "Water was rusty in our row came out brown at first then was tan after running through our filter for the entire stay." Consider bringing extra water filters if you plan to use campground water supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: Check pool hours when camping with children as schedules vary seasonally. A family at Pinch Pond Family Campground appreciated that "unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me." Many campgrounds restrict swimming to daylight hours with lifeguards present only during peak season.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated playgrounds and game rooms. One parent shared, "Their game room has tickets. This is the one and only campground we have ever visited that gave tickets for playing games and my kids LOVED IT! It was like camping and going to chuckie cheese at the same time."
Animal attractions: Farm experiences create lasting memories for younger campers. A visitor to Gettysburg Farm explained, "We came with 3 kids. They LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times." Children particularly enjoy the supervised interaction with baby goats and other farm animals.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Request specific information about pad sizes when booking cabins or RV sites. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, an RVer observed, "It is a nice camp ground but the lower drive threw spots are packed together. Our 32' with slides just fit the sight and we had zero room for the truck. They have other spots up on the hill but would have been more of a challenge with our rig."
Separate pet sections: Some campgrounds designate specific areas for campers with pets. At Gifford Pinchot State Park, a camper appreciated that "it was nice that the pet area is separate from those of us who don't have pets or want quiet from dogs barking." These designated pet loops help maintain a peaceful experience for all campers.
Utility hook-up locations: Be prepared with extension cords and longer water hoses. One RVer mentioned a challenging sewer connection, noting, "Water pressure is pretty low and the sewer pipe is a little high but all around a really solid experience." Bringing utility extensions ensures you can connect regardless of site configuration.
