Camping cabins near Ravine, Pennsylvania range from rustic to modern rentals in a region where the Appalachian Trail crosses through parts of Berks and Schuylkill counties. Located in Pennsylvania's Coal Region at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, the area experiences distinct seasonal changes with cold winters and mild summers. Many camping properties maintain water features including fishing ponds, creeks for wading, and swimming pools for summer recreation.
What to do
Appalachian Trail access: Camp Swatara offers direct access to hiking trails connecting to the famous long-distance path. According to one camper, "Pet friendly and you can access the Appalachian trail from campground. Lots of great food and places to go in the area. They have a river that is great for kayaking or tubing."
Boulder field exploration: The unique glacier rock formations at Blue Rocks Family Campground provide a distinctive outdoor experience. A visitor mentioned, "Our campsite had a great view of the glacier rock field and the corn field," while another noted, "This place really has something for everyone! Classic cars, huge playground, lots of activities, friendly staff. The best part was hiking in the boulder field!"
Fishing opportunities: Many cabin properties offer stocked ponds or creek access. A visitor to Lake Glory Campground reported, "The lake is stocked and the fish are always hungry," making it ideal for anglers of all skill levels seeking a convenient fishing experience.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at cabin properties. One visitor to Twin Grove RV Resort commented, "Super dog friendly. Many little dog parks throughout. Great pool," while another stated, "This is an amazing campground! There are 2 dog parks right next to each other, which is great for your furry friend to be able to run around and play off leash."
Convenient amusement park access: Multiple cabin locations offer proximity to popular attractions. A family staying at Knoebels Campground shared, "We have camped in our pop up but we have also rented the cabins here too. Either way is a great way to stay the weekend and enjoy the park. Restrooms are clean. Nice large sink to wash dishes."
Recreational activities: Many properties offer on-site entertainment options. A guest at Appalachian Camping Resort described their experience: "Check in is as 3pm, we showed up at 2:45 after a 7 hr drive and they made us pay $15 extra. Sites were average. Caught some cat fish in the pond. The pool wasn't bad, and bingo was fun."
What you should know
Seasonal operating schedules: Most cabin facilities operate from April through October. Mountain Springs Camping Resort runs from "Apr 1 to Oct 31" and Lake Glory Campground operates from "April 15 to October 15," with limited properties open year-round.
Site layout considerations: Some properties have tighter spacing between cabins. A visitor to Hersheypark Camping Resort noted, "Sites were a bit close where we were but they had other sites that were more spread out. Nice pool and great camp store!"
Environmental factors: Proximity to transportation routes can affect cabin experience. A camper reported, "Nice camp ground but super loud bc of the trains. Bath houses are nice and clean. I would suggest making sure you aren't close to the tracks bc the trains run all night long!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Coordinating your stay with special events enhances family experiences. A visitor to Jonestown/Hershey KOA shared, "One of our favorite places we have visited! Friendly staff, very quant, laundry onsite, splash pad, play grounds, very clean restrooms/showers, provides shuttle to Hersheypark, some creekside sites along with access to creek from your campite!"
Cabin layout considerations: Select accommodations based on family size and needs. A Knoebels camper advised, "Single cabins have three double beds with two up top in the loft and one down below. I would suggest bringing an air mattress to sleep on as the mats are old and used."
Budget planning: Ticket packages through cabin properties can provide savings. According to a reviewer at Jonestown/Hershey KOA, "We were able to purchase Hershey Park tickets which were cheaper than buying from the Hershey (at a discount) and it includes shuttle service to and from the park!"
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: Early check-in matters for site selection at some properties. A visitor noted, "The first thing to know is that Thousand Trails sites are a first come, first serve. Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem."
Site leveling: Uneven terrain can create challenges at some locations. A Blue Rocks visitor warned, "Our site was very rocky and on an incline so hard to get the camper level. It was a 'pop up/tent' site and we were in a small travel trailer so it's understandable."
Space limitations: Some properties have tight turning radiuses and narrow roads. An RV owner mentioned, "The sites are very close to one another. We lucked out in Bermuda Triangle as there was a little more space and we were further away from some of the noise. The sites are clean and well maintained."
