Cabins near Oaks, Pennsylvania provide year-round shelter for outdoor enthusiasts in the region's variable climate. The area experiences moderate summer temperatures typically between 70-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most cabins in this region sit at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level with some properties backing to protected forest land or water features.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Boulder Woods Campground features an extensive disc golf course popular with both beginners and experienced players. "The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did. It was super tight. Gorgeous place though. They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf," explains one visitor to Boulder Woods Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes around French Creek State Park provide various fishing options throughout the seasons. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored," notes a camper at French Creek State Park Campground.
Orienteering events: The region hosts orienteering competitions that attract participants nationwide. "We have also attending an Orienteering event here which was nation wide and really exciting. People came from all over the country to attend which was really a great experience," shares one French Creek visitor.
What campers like
Private primitive sites: Some campers prefer the more secluded tent sites away from RV areas. "I stumbled upon this campground and reserved a space with electric and water. Upon arrival, the people at the office were friendly. We got to our space (83) and we noticed we were placed right in the middle of a bunch of RVs, which was not what we had envisioned. I took a walk with my dog and saw the primitive sites tucked in the back of the grounds. I immediately went to the office to ask to move to a primitive site and they allowed us to move without any issues. We ended up setting up camp at site 31 - which was spacious enough for two large tents and very private," describes a camper at Little Red Barn Campground.
River views: Some accommodations offer scenic water views. "This was the first KOA we visited and I can't begin to say enough wonderful things about the whole campground. The sites, particularly those on the Brandywine River, have amazing views. They are close enough for you to camp with a group, but most also have a small fence between each site to clearly delineate between the sites," reports a visitor at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA.
Unique lodging options: Glamping tents provide a middle ground between rustic and comfort. "My husband and I stayed for a week in one of the glamping tents. The staff was very friendly and the tents were more glamorous than we had tried before, but definitely had a good combination of woodsy and comfort," notes a guest at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
What you should know
Site variety changes experience: Different loops and site types offer significantly varied camping experiences. "We have stayed at French Creek in the past however, we have never stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop," explains a camper.
Vehicle size limitations: Some campgrounds have tight spaces requiring assistance. "The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did. It was super tight," warns a Boulder Woods visitor.
Distance to facilities: At certain campgrounds, primitive sites offer privacy but require longer walks to amenities. "Pros: primitive sites are very private, friendly staff, clean grounds. Cons: only one bathroom and it's very far from the primitive sites, E/W sites are between RVs," notes a Little Red Barn Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground facilities for children. "The camp playground was brand new when we arrived and they had just broken ground (September 2020). There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages. They also have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool," shares a visitor at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA.
Kid-friendly water activities: Lakes provide safe recreation for children. "We did okay but after a while it was making his mouth tired to be opening it to get it in his mouth. Maybe if it was a little slimmer it would help. The fork side is really pointy as well so if you have this in your backpack you may want to wrap something around it to ensure you don't poke a hole in anything you don't want a hole through," states a French Creek State Park camper.
Seasonal accommodation options: Nockamixon State Park Cabins offers year-round cabin options suitable for families. "The cabins are full electric with heat and are well appointed. It was an excellent fall trip location for a family with young children. I said there was a sense of deja vu because the cabin, even it's placement relative to the lake was near identical to the cabin we had at Hills Creek State Park the month before," reports a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through access: Select campgrounds offer easier site access for larger vehicles. "Well kept camp but far more expensive than it should be..Not worth the money but, the 4 premium sites are nice. $91 bucks a night is salty though," notes a Philadelphia-West Chester KOA visitor.
Seasonal sites vs. overnight: Some campgrounds primarily serve seasonal campers with few transient sites. "Three years ago, we fell in love with this campground. We knew we had to find an rv and become seasonals. Fast forward, we bought one, went to talk to them... They only allow seasonal campers to be 10 years old or newer. Ours is 13. Very disappointed. But for a weekend away, it's a great place," warns a Boulder Woods visitor.
Level site availability: Many campgrounds offer paved or gravel sites to ensure level parking. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes. Very nice playground area and clean," observes a French Creek State Park visitor.
