Rustic cabin camping options dot the landscape surrounding New Hope, Pennsylvania, nestled between the Delaware River and rolling Bucks County farmland. Most cabin accommodations cluster within a 20-mile radius of New Hope, with elevations ranging from 200 to 800 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February, making seasonal availability an important consideration when booking cabin stays.
What to do
Disc golf at Boulder Woods: The 18-hole course attracts enthusiasts from across the region. "They do allow golf carts we saw gas and powered. Nice and quite. We had a great time and it's on our list as a successful tent camping location for us," notes one visitor to Boulder Woods Campground.
Whitewater paddling at Tohickon Valley: During scheduled dam releases, the creek offers class III-IV rapids. "When scheduled they open the dam up stream for som world class whitewater rafting," reports a camper at Tohickon Valley County Park.
Waterfront fishing: Multiple lakes offer fishing opportunities throughout the season. "The sites are a decent distance from each other. It was nice and quiet. There are trails for hiking and if you're there on a Saturday during polo season you can catch a match down the road at Tinicum Park," shares a visitor to Tohickon Valley County Park.
Hammock relaxation: Parks with mature tree stands provide perfect hammock setups. "This is a great place to pitch a hammock and hang out for a few hours. They have a lot of land so it's easy to find a secluded spot to hang out away from paths and people!" writes a camper about Nockamixon State Park.
What campers like
Private tent sites: Many locations offer secluded spots away from RV areas. "The tent spots are pretty much on top of each other, not much privacy. It's next to a farm so the sunrise is pretty nice," notes a visitor to Quakerwoods Campground.
Waterfront locations: Sites with lake views provide scenic surroundings. "I have camped here on many occasions for Over ten years... I love the water views, The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade. You can launch your kayak easily from the shore," explains a camper at Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Cabin alternatives: Non-traditional options beyond standard cabins exist. "The cabins are full electric with heat and are well appointed. It was an excellent fall trip location for a family with young children," shares a visitor to Nockamixon State Park Cabins.
Winter camping options: Some locations remain open year-round for cold-weather adventures. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," reports a winter camper at French Creek State Park.
What you should know
Reservations essential: During peak seasons, cabin bookings fill months in advance. "This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting!"
Site selection matters: Some sites offer more privacy than others. "Since it was late in the season, I called ahead to make sure this campground was still open. I was reassured that it was, that reservations were not needed, and that a ranger would come around to collect our fee," notes a visitor to Tohickon Valley.
Alcohol restrictions: Several state parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "This is no alcohol permitted in the park due to it being a state park, however that all depends on how open you are about it and the Park rangers."
Primitive sites often most private: Sites without hookups typically offer more seclusion. "My husband, friend, and I tent camped here last weekend and we were pleasantly surprised by how nice it was... I immediately went to the office to ask to move to a primitive site and they allowed us to move without any issues," shares a camper at Little Red Barn Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak timing: Weekdays offer a quieter experience with less competition for facilities. "We were here at the end of September and there were only a few other campers. The sites are a decent distance from each other. It was nice and quiet."
Pool access consideration: Summer months provide swimming options at several locations. "We went on Halloween weekend and they had so much for the kids to do! Friendly staff and clean sites!" remarks a visitor to Ringing Rocks Family Campground.
Playground proximity: Choose sites near recreational areas for convenience. "Easy to drive in and out. No 'camp store/features' but there's a local pool with swing sets within walking distance and lots of manageable trails along the cliffs," notes a camper at Tohickon Valley.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. "We went on Father's Day weekend and they had nice arts and crafts for the kids to do for dad," shares a camper at Colonial Woods Family Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many wooded sites require additional leveling. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
Tree clearance issues: Low-hanging branches can present problems for larger rigs. "The roads are very narrow, pretty sizable boulders on both sides, trees are very low and need to be trimmed (almost took my ac out with a huge limb)," cautions an RV owner at Colonial Woods.
Winter hookup limitations: Off-season camping often means reduced services. "I can not speak to the condition of the bathrooms, I stopped going into them 6 years ago as soon as I bought a cassette toilet to avoid them. This review would be 5 stars if only they would knock the present facilities down and rebuild really nice ones."
Dump station access: Timing affects convenience at busy locations. "Dump station location isn't ideal on a busy morning. I heard they might work on a second dump location and was told to ask if it's ok to stick around until it dies down if our site isn't needed soon."
