Cabins near Philadelphia offer year-round access to natural landscapes within an hour's drive of the city. Located where the Delaware Valley meets the Appalachian foothills, most Philadelphia cabin areas sit at elevations between 200-600 feet. Winter temperatures at cabin sites typically range from 20-40°F, while summer brings 70-90°F weather with moderate humidity.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, visitors can enjoy catch-and-release fishing at the on-site pond. According to one camper, "We also filled our propane tank here. The restrooms were immaculate compared to most campgrounds."
Canoe the Brandywine: Philadelphia-West Chester KOA sits directly on the Brandywine River with canoe rentals available. A visitor notes, "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float."
Historical explorations: Several Philadelphia cabins serve as bases for visiting nearby historical sites. The Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest provides access to "historic buildings and ruins you get to by 'off roading' on all dirt roads," while French Creek State Park sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, offering glimpses into 18-19th century iron-making.
Winter camping: Unlike seasonal options, some cabins operate year-round. A French Creek State Park camper shared, "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."
What campers like
Private woodland settings: Cabins at Brendan Byrne State Forest offer a secluded atmosphere. One reviewer praised how "it's far away from traffic noise. You can't hear any cars or any other noise from civilization at all. It's at least 10 miles away from anything more than a single house in the woods."
Urban glamping: For those seeking Philadelphia cabin rentals with a twist, Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina offers floating accommodations directly in the city. As one visitor put it, "I am definitely going to give this a shot, this looks very peaceful."
Quality bathrooms: Many cabins feature well-maintained facilities. At Evansburg State Park, reviewers appreciate the "very clean" restrooms, while a French Creek visitor noted, "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes."
Level sites: Philadelphia area cabins typically feature prepared pads. As one French Creek camper observed, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Several cabin rentals close during colder months. A review for Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA warned, "This does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change."
Bathroom variations: Quality and features vary widely between locations. At Old Cedar Campground, the "shower or laundry facilities" received mixed reviews, while at Brendan Byrne, campers noted "showers were a little spidery but kind of expected at a campground."
Bug precautions: Ticks are common in wooded cabin areas. A Brendan Byrne State Forest visitor advised, "Ticks were very active on this visit, be sure to remember your bug spray and tuck your pants in your socks!"
Campfire regulations: Rules about fires vary by location. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker," while other parks have no time restrictions but may limit where fires can be built.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Old Cedar Campground offers multiple attractions for children. A reviewer highlighted that "my grandchildren loved visiting us, pool was clean - they had a few items that they could borrow - fishing was great - playground was adequate. Mini golf was fun for all."
Playgrounds: Several cabin sites feature play structures. At Philadelphia West-Chester KOA, "the camp playground was brand new when we arrived... There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages."
Swimming options: Many cabin locations offer water recreation. At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, families appreciate that "there is a pool that is open Memorial Day-Labor Day," while Four Seasons Family Campground features a "beautiful pool, very nice playground and arcade."
Organized activities: Some sites schedule regular events. Old Cedar Campground visitors note, "Every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids," while KOAs typically offer weekend programming during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Philadelphia West-Chester KOA, RV site choice matters. One camper advised, "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle... The trailers/5th wheels seem better because they 'bend' at the hitch."
Water hookup planning: Several campgrounds have shared water spigots. At French Creek State Park, campers note there is "no water hook up but there is water available," while at Brendan Byrne State Forest, a visitor found "the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others."
Seasonal RV tips: Winter cabin camping requires preparation. A December French Creek visitor noted the "honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early, make sure you have cash on you."
Premium sites: Several campgrounds offer upgraded cabin and RV sites. At Philadelphia West-Chester KOA, "premium sites are nice" with "patio furniture on a paver patio and seating around an upgraded fire pit," though some find them "far more expensive than they should be."
