Cabin camping near Reed, Pennsylvania offers varied experiences within the Susquehanna River valley region where elevations range from 400-800 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F while summer highs typically reach the upper 80s with moderate humidity. Seasonal access varies with many parks open from April through October, though several facilities maintain year-round operations with reduced services during winter months.
What to Do
Swimming at beaches and pools: Little Buffalo State Park Campground features both a lake and swimming pool complex. According to Kelly M., "This place is so quiet and so well maintained! The trails are awesome and the swimming pool is great for the kids in the summer!"
Fishing opportunities: Multiple waterways offer varied fishing conditions. At Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground, Jeffrey H. reports, "Great amenities, incredibly friendly staff and camp host, two lakes to swim/fish/boat in, lots of trails to bike or hike on, nice DRY firewood!"
Historical exploration: Many sites feature preserved industrial heritage. Carly E. notes that Pine Grove Furnace "has an old iron furnace with historical information about it. There is an Appalachian trail museum, which was very neat to check out, and the old Ironmaster's Mansion serves as a hostel and event venue."
Water recreation: Several campgrounds offer river access. At Ferryboat Campsites, a visitor explains, "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. If it weren't for that this would not be the campground for us. The weather was hot so lots of tubing and fishing and kayaking in the river."
Wildlife viewing: Nature observation opportunities abound year-round. Dawn N. at Little Buffalo State Park reports, "Wilderness at it's best... wildlife is everywhere and there is even an eagle nest in the park and you can see the pair and often their young."
What Campers Like
Private, wooded sites: Many cabin areas feature natural screening. At Camp Hebron, Joel A. notes, "The sites have lots of tree cover and they are private. This place does not have many amenities as far as crafts and 'drop off the kids' activities. It is a hang out as a family and tromp around the woods kind of place."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rate highly with guests. Shirley M. at Little Buffalo State Park Campground shares, "We camped here over Columbus Day weekend. We wanted a quiet escape. We had one of the few full hook up sites. Very quiet and peaceful. Bath houses were very clean. Staff was pleasant."
Water pressure and utilities: Reliability of hookups matters to campers. According to Joel A. at Camp Hebron, "This place is a must if you like the outdoors when camping! It is hands down the best place we've camped. Good water pressure, reliable electric. Cheap firewood available."
Leveled sites: Terrain preparation affects guest experience. Sharon L. at Lake Heron Retreat mentions, "The site was large and there wasn't a lot of people. You can swim in the lake if you wish or rent boats/canoes for the day."
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campgrounds emphasize quiet environments. One camper at Lake Heron Retreat noted, "Very quiet and peaceful! The site was large and there wasn't a lot of people."
What You Should Know
Shower considerations: Facilities vary widely between locations. Chelsea K. at Little Buffalo notes, "The showers kinda sucked since you it had water limits on them that only last 20 seconds before you had to hit the button again. But they were extremely clean."
Seasonal crowds: Peak periods affect availability and atmosphere. One reviewer at Buttonwood Campground explained, "The campground is divided by a local road and has 2 different feels. The lower section is right by the river with several riverfront sites and many river view sites. The upper side has the playground and kids activities and feels more set out in the country."
Wildlife precautions: Local fauna requires awareness. Scott B. at Gifford Pinchot State Park warned, "Beware of ticks."
Water level changes: River properties may experience fluctuations. At Ferryboat Campsites, one reviewer cautioned, "Storms with heavy rain in the area made the river rise. We were told the campground is susceptible to flooding, so check the weather when you come!"
Noise factors: Environmental sounds affect some locations. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, Kit reports, "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
Playground access: Multiple play areas suit different ages. At Jonestown/Hershey KOA, Amber R. shares, "Friendly staff, very quant, laundry onsite, splash pad, play grounds, very clean restrooms/showers, provides shuttle to Hersheypark."
Swimming options: Water recreation varies by location. Paula R. at Little Buffalo State Park notes, "Nice for a smaller campground. Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up. Pool was great once you got there."
Activity passes: Some locations offer bundled recreation options. Bryan S. explains about Buttonwood Campground, "Plan on spending $20 per person for an activity wristband that includes all the extras including mini golf and tubing shuttle."
Tent pad quality: Ground surfaces affect comfort. Sarah L. at Thousand Trails Hershey shares, "The 'tent pad' was large gravel surrounded by over grown grass."
Entertainment options: Structured activities enhance family stays. Mark S. at Buttonwood Campground reports, "This was the first time staying here and definitely won't be my last. It all starts when you first pull up. There are people on golf carts to take you to your site. They then help you back your rig in. Plenty of things to do there also."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Terrain variations require preparation. James G. at Thousand Trails Hershey warns, "The sites are gravel and most are not level. They are not well maintained as the site next to us has weeds a foot high."
Campground navigation: Road layouts affect larger vehicles. Rick B. notes about Hersheypark Camping Resort, "While it offers nice amenities and a shuttle to Hersheypark, the campground itself is very tight, cramped, and hard to navigate. The sites are so small that many tow vehicles have to park partially on the narrow access roads making it difficult to get in and out of with a big rig."
Utility access: Water connection availability varies. Adam P. at Pine Grove Furnace State Park advises, "If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up."
Early arrival benefits: Timing affects site selection at some locations. One visitor to Thousand Trails Hershey explains, "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. 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."
