Pennsylvania's cabin camping options near New Kingstown provide year-round access to the Appalachian foothills at elevations ranging from 400-1,000 feet. Located in Cumberland County, the area features moderate seasonal variations with summer temperatures averaging 80°F and winter lows around 25°F. Cabin accommodations vary from rustic single-room structures with minimal amenities to deluxe units with kitchenettes and modern conveniences.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground provides direct access to multiple hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail. "Great hiking...has an area for swimming on a lake. The Appalachian trail runs right through it and is said to be the middle point of the trail. So you know there is great hiking," notes one visitor at Pine Grove Furnace.
Farm animal experiences: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers unique opportunities to interact with farm animals. "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," mentions one camper. Children particularly enjoy the morning feeding times: "The kids LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times."
Creek exploration: Mountain Creek Camp Ground features water activities for all ages. "The kids had a blast, tubing in the creek, swimming pool and an excellent camp store," reports one visitor. Another adds, "Kids can play in creek with tubes or hunt critters," making it an excellent spot for water-based adventures.
What campers like
Spacious woodland sites: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground offers secluded campsites in wooded areas. According to one camper, "Great spot! We had site 114. It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced."
Pool facilities: Little Buffalo State Park Campground features an exceptional swimming pool facility. "The pool here is top notch and it's good for fishing but the hiking isn't super great," reports one visitor. Another adds detail about the pool amenities: "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!"
Theme park proximity: Hersheypark Camping Resort provides convenient access to Hershey attractions. Though one camper notes, "Basic RV park; $95 night is way too much, you pay for location," the site does offer "pull through sites" and a "nice pool and great camp store." Its primary appeal lies in proximity to Hershey's attractions rather than natural features.
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Several campgrounds report disruptions from nearby train tracks. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, visitors warn, "Trains are all night" and "Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks because the trains run all night long!"
Site spacing variations: Dogwood Acres Campground receives praise for site management but has some limitations. "Our site was a premium site that included a gas grill. Luckily, no one booked the cabins behind us that weekend or it would have been rather loud as the sites were close together even for a premium site," one visitor explains.
Seasonal crowds: Mountain Creek Camp Ground has busier periods where facility access may be limited. One camper observed, "Bathrooms and activities can be a hike. Some areas flood when it rains hard," which is important to consider when planning your visit.
Tips for camping with families
First-time camper friendly: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground accommodates novice campers well. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach. There was also a beach location on the state park side vs campground side of the lake," notes one parent.
Activity scheduling: When staying at Deer Run Campgrounds, check the schedule before booking. "The water wars themselves did not bother us, however several people did not respect our site boundaries even though we clearly were not participating, so if you go here I would suggest looking at the activities schedule," advises one family.
Bathroom accessibility: Consider cabin or site location relative to facilities. At Little Buffalo State Park Campground, "Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up. Pool was great once you got there."
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup logistics: Some parks have unusual utility setups. At Western Village RV Park, one RVer noted, "The sewer is in odd locations all around our campsite I'm excited as well as sharing the water source with up to 5 other RVs."
Site selection considerations: When booking at Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA, choose wisely based on your preferences. "If you're looking for trees and privacy, stick to the sites at the bottom of the hill(top of the CG map). The sites closer to the entrance of the park near all the amenities were definitely packed in tightly," recommends one RVer.
Water planning: Many parks require preparation. At Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up. The cell service is 'spotty' as they state on their website, but hey you are camping."
