Camping cabins near Newville, Pennsylvania provide rustic to modern accommodations within the northern reaches of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with warm summers and cold winters. Most forested camping areas contain mixed deciduous and coniferous trees, providing varied shade conditions across campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access the AT directly from Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, where you can hike part of this famous route. "This is one of my favorite places to camp! Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat!" notes Amanda H.
Swimming in multiple lakes: Cool off during summer months at lakes and pools. "This park has several swimming lakes and Appalachian trail running through it," explains Timothy M. about Pine Grove. The lakes provide swimming opportunities from late May through early September, depending on staffing.
Historical exploration: Visit Civil War sites and historic furnaces within a 30-minute drive. The Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground area offers additional historical sites: "The park has a 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," writes Danielle V.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural settings at Dogwood Acres Campground near Newville. "Great campground run by a Great family!" mentions Dave E. The campground maintains premium sites with full hookups and tent-only areas.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas receive regular maintenance at most locations. "Clean well kept family owned campground. Located a few miles off 81, in the country surrounded by beautiful views," notes the Coffee&Camping T. reviewer about Dogwood Acres.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds organize events throughout peak season. At Mountain Creek Camp Ground, "Lots for kids to do. Camp store has pretty much anything you need! Friendly staff and clean grounds. Overall good campgrounds. Quiet mid-week which was nice too," shares Lee P. Activity calendars typically run from April through October.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin sites require advance booking, especially during summer months. At Little Buffalo State Park Campground, "You can book your site on line and go straight to your site! No check in required," explains Amanda H.
Cell coverage limitations: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell service is pretty much nonexistent in the campground, so keep this in mind if you can't be out of touch (we had Verizon)," reports Carly E. about Pine Grove Furnace.
Bathroom facilities: Most cabins do not include private bathrooms. "Bath houses were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced," notes SkywaystoHighways.com Y. at Gifford Pinchot. Showers may operate on timer buttons that require frequent pressing.
Weather considerations: Spring camping often involves temperature fluctuations. Nights can drop below 40°F even when days reach 70°F, requiring appropriate sleeping gear for cabin campers without heating systems.
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration: Kids enjoy shallow water play at several locations. At Mountain Creek, "The kids had a blast, tubing in the creek, swimming pool and an excellent camp store," shares Jim C. Bring water shoes as creek beds can be rocky.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Nice playground with a small basketball court," notes Jen R. about Paradise Stream Family Campground. Most playgrounds accommodate children ages 2-12.
Educational activities: Rangers often lead nature programs during summer weekends. "We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there and there's an interesting historic mill you can tour," reports Christopher E. about Little Buffalo State Park.
Mini-golf options: Several campgrounds maintain courses for family entertainment. "The kids enjoyed the beautiful Mini golf course, splashing in the creek, the pool and the pedal carts," explains melissa at Paradise Stream. Most courses charge $3-5 per person.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose cabins with adequate clearance for vehicles. At Deer Run Campgrounds, "Some sites are close together or have trees that make it hard to get certain rigs in," warns Monica K. Request specific site numbers when making reservations.
Hookup availability: Cabin areas often provide limited electrical outlets. "We had one of the few full hook up sites. Very quiet and peaceful," shares Shirley M. about Little Buffalo. Bring extension cords as outlet placement varies.
Site leveling: Some camping cabins sit on uneven terrain. "Our site was easy to back into, plenty long enough and relatively level," notes a visitor. Check ahead about site conditions, especially when booking cabin accommodations near mountainous areas.
Seasonal access: Winter cabin availability is limited to a few locations. "Most camper sites have electric and water hookups and some have septic," notes Benjamin A. about Mountain Creek, which operates from March 15 to November 20.
