Western Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region offers cabin accommodations between 1,800-3,000 feet elevation, providing cooler summer temperatures than surrounding areas. Cabin camping near Roxbury, Pennsylvania ranges from modern facilities with electric heat to rustic options with limited amenities, with most state parks operating between mid-April and late October.
What to do
Paddle the lake: Quemahoning Family Recreation Area provides excellent water recreation options for cabin campers. "Great place for fishing kayaking. Very family oriented," notes one visitor. The area features boat rentals with electric-only power restrictions.
Explore hiking trails: Blue Knob State Park Campground sits on Pennsylvania's second-highest peak with extensive trail networks. "The hiking here is really spectacular with lots of scenery, overlooks, and side trails that extend many miles out into state forest lands which are adjacent to the park," reports one hiker. Trails connect to nearby state forest lands for extended adventures.
Mountain biking options: Several park cabins provide direct access to challenging terrain. "Bike trails come directly through the park making it simple to go for a ride but the trails are not for the weak. Lots of climbing or descending and fairly rocky," notes a cyclist about mountain biking opportunities.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Laurel Hill State Park Campground offers varied cabin locations and environments. "All sites are wooded but some have more separation than others. Our site backed up to the creek but surprisingly, there was not a lot of water flowing in the spring," mentions one camper about site selection.
Off-season tranquility: Many cabin locations remain open year-round with reduced occupancy during shoulder seasons. "We were surprised that just a few days before Memorial Day, only a handful of sites were occupied. We've been very impressed by the pristine conditions of many Pennsylvania state parks," shares a visitor.
Winter accessibility: Shawnee State Park Campground maintains year-round operations for cabin guests. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," notes one winter visitor who appreciates the all-season availability.
What you should know
Uneven terrain: Many cabin and tent sites require careful positioning. "The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically between locations. "Make sure you bring firewood and be prepared for extremely limited cell service (Verizon)," advises a camper at one location. Coverage tends to be better at lower elevations and parks closer to larger towns.
Weather variability: Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park experiences significant weather changes. "Clouds blowing east from the Midwest tend to break on the mountains here at Blue Knob, so short little bursts of rainfall are frequent, and they don't always show up on weather apps. Come prepared for short rain showers, chilly air even in the summer," warns an experienced visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Multiple state parks feature swimming areas for children. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean," reports a family at Shawnee State Park.
Multi-generation friendly: Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park accommodates varied family needs. "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. BMX track for kids," mentions a parent who appreciates the diverse activities.
Playground facilities: Many cabin locations include child-friendly features. "A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground," notes a visitor, highlighting recreational options within walking distance of the cabin areas.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing offers varied site amenities. "You will not find better campground owners, they are amazing. After office hours they can be commonly found hanging out with their campers. Pick up cornhole games, bonfires, are the norm at the community building," shares an RVer who appreciates the sociable atmosphere despite limited utilities.
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites require careful positioning. "The campground is small but it is quiet and clean. My only complaint is that many of the sites are not level at all and take some serious work to get your rig level," notes one camper at Kooser State Park.
Dump station access: Not all parks with cabins offer full hookups. "Site number 12 is a pull thru that was very easy to level with a great area for my 2 year old granddaughter to enjoy. Bathhouse was very clean with hot water shower," reports a family camper describing one of the few level sites in the region.
