Cabin camping near Plum, Pennsylvania offers overnight options within a 45-minute drive radius. Located east of Pittsburgh at approximately 1,100 feet elevation, the region experiences four distinct seasons with summers averaging 80°F and winters dropping below freezing. Most rustic cabin facilities remain open from April through October, though Mountain Top Campground's elevated location allows year-round operation with sites situated on a plateau offering valley views.
What to do
Waterfront activities at Raccoon Creek State Park: The 101-acre lake provides swimming from May through September with kayak rentals available seasonally. "The lake provides a great place to fish and the walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you're willing to walk. We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat," notes a visitor to Laurel Hill State Park.
Rock climbing near Breakneck Campground: Located adjacent to McConnells Mill State Park with direct access to climbing routes and hiking trails. "There are designated fireplaces. It is quite a walk up the hill to the campground amenities, but worth it to feel secluded down by the creek. From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail," reports a camper at Breakneck Campground.
Mountain biking at Moraine State Park: Over 20 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels, located just 3 miles from Bear Run Campground. "Nice campground but too hilly for kids to ride bikes. Very close to Lake Arthur for fishing and kayaking," mentions a visitor to Bear Run Campground.
What campers like
Elevated campsites with scenic views: Mountain Top Campground sits on a plateau with premium sites facing valley vistas. "You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. It's cute. Wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond," shares a visitor to Mountain Top Campground.
Creek-side cabin locations: Some properties offer cabins with water access for fishing and wading. "Our site backed up to the creek but surprisingly, there was not a lot of water flowing in the spring," notes a camper at Laurel Hill State Park.
Pet-friendly options: Dedicated cabin loops accommodate those traveling with animals. "I luckily got a spot on looking over a very dense tree-d valley with a beautiful sunset. Sites 41-48 are the best view at sunset. I had a full hookup site. Spacing between spots was not cramped at all," reports a visitor to Mountain Top Campground.
What you should know
Cabin amenity variations: Electric service and plumbing options differ significantly between parks. "The sites are pretty close together and it feels somewhat private. (That is, until discourteous fellow car campers selfishly disregard quiet hours…but hey, that can…and often does…happen anywhere)," mentions a visitor to Ohiopyle State Park.
Reservation requirements: Many locations fill months in advance for summer weekends. "The park will s very nice pretty and during the week fairly empty," highlighting midweek availability advantages.
Accessibility considerations: Some cabins require significant walking from parking areas. "They escort you to your campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up," notes a visitor to Indian Brave Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly programming: Some private campgrounds offer organized activities. "Every weekend there are activities, there is a heated pool and Friday night Bingo. A great place with even better people! The restrooms are clean and the general store carries most thing you would need," shares a visitor to Bear Run Campground.
Beach access considerations: Swimming areas have varying facilities and seasonal operations. "The campground was family and pet friendly on the hillside section. For the whole family enjoy," mentions a visitor to Keystone State Park Campground.
Playground proximity: When selecting cabin sites, check for play area distances. "There are two campgrounds in the park, the hillside one and the one on the lake. The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy," advises a Keystone State Park visitor.
Tips for RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many mountain cabins sit on slopes needing stabilization. "The campground is steep in parts and too large to walk efficiently. There is a fenced dog run area and a beautiful lake. All sites have fire rings," notes a Bear Run visitor.
Water/electric hookup locations: Cabin utility connections often differ from standard RV configurations. "The electrical hookups are not played out well like an expensive RV park with the shared power post on the entrance side of the camper. You may want to have an extension for your power cable," advises a Laurel Hill State Park visitor.
Grey water systems: Mountain Top offers unique disposal options. "Grey water hookup is a long hose that has an adapter which hooks up to your black and grey tank outlet and it runs down the hillside of the mountain into the grassy area," reports a Mountain Top Campground visitor.
