Cabin camping near Southampton, Pennsylvania offers multiple options within state parks and private campgrounds. Most locations sit at elevations between 1,500-2,800 feet in the Appalachian foothills, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby urban areas. Fall visitors can expect nighttime temperatures dropping into the 30s as early as September, requiring adequate preparation for cold-weather camping.
What to do
Hiking trails year-round: Rocky Gap State Park Campground features a 5-mile loop trail around Lake Habeeb suitable for all skill levels. "The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable. Great way to see all sides of the park. Across the lake from the campground is a casino and resort," notes Jeff H.
Paddle sports on mountain lakes: Spend time exploring the water at New Germany State Park Campground. "The small lake was perfect for swimming, and the hikes around the campground were beautiful," reports Angie R. Non-motorized boating is available with kayak and canoe rentals typically costing $15 per hour.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds at Middle Ridge Campground offer good fishing access. According to Kayla M., "Short drive down the mountain to get to the ponds but my husband and oldest son had a blast catching fish in their ponds!" The campground is known for bass fishing and doesn't require a separate fishing license.
Winter activities: For those considering winter cabin stays, cross-country skiing becomes available at several parks. "Apparently, the park is very popular amongst cross-country skiers in the winter, especially since they have full-service cabins and a warming hut by the lake," shares one visitor about New Germany State Park.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many visitors appreciate the ample space between sites at Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park. "I must say, we did not anticipate camping, hiking or rafting in Pennsylvania... Upon arrival, we were so stunned and enamored by the beauty of the area... Kentuck Campground is a very nice campground, the sites are plentiful, and though there are many... there is enough foliage that separate campsites that it feels somewhat private," writes Dave V.
Clean facilities: Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms. One camper noted, "The bathrooms were quite possibly the cleanest camp bathrooms I've ever come across." Another visitor mentioned, "Bathrooms in the Delphia loop were modern and very clean. The showers were very nice and rivaled any hotel shower I've had."
Wildlife viewing: Rustic cabin sites offer excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting. "Deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area," reports a visitor at Laurel Hill State Park. Many campgrounds provide bear boxes at cabin and tent sites, with regular bear sightings reported during summer months.
Quiet settings: Off-season cabin stays provide exceptional solitude. "We arrived after 6 pm on a Tuesday after Labor Day and found there were only six out of 112 sites occupied. We had the entire Delphia Loop to ourselves," one camper shared about Deep Creek Lake State Park.
What you should know
Connectivity limitations: Cell service is extremely limited at most cabin locations. At Hickory Hollow Campground, while they offer "Free WiFi," visitors note it can be spotty, especially during peak times. One camper shared, "Not a lot of restaurants or stores nearby, so keep that in mind if you'll be there awhile."
Seasonal closures: Be aware of facility operating schedules. A visitor at New Germany State Park noted, "The lake area also has a concession stand, boat rentals, swimming beach, rec hall, and nature center, but these were all closed since we were there out of season."
Temperature fluctuations: The mountain elevation creates significant day-to-night temperature changes. "Summer temps usually do not get as nice 85max most of the summer," notes a visitor about New Germany State Park. Evenings can drop below 50°F even in summer months.
Reservation necessities: Most cabin locations require advance booking. As one visitor stated, "This campground would yield a very different experience in the height of summer!" Peak season cabins often book 6-9 months in advance, particularly at state parks.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly water activities: Pioneer Lakes RV Park provides multiple water recreation options for kids. "We stayed here to go to the flight 93 memorial so we didnt do much at the campground except fish cought a few nice bass," reports Rich E. The swimming pool and stocked fishing ponds are particularly popular with younger visitors.
Nature centers for rainy days: Several parks offer indoor educational activities. "For kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center. Overall a very nice family camping area," shares Jillian K. about New Germany State Park.
Site selection for privacy: Request sites away from main roads when traveling with children. "Campground is well maintained and the Rangers were very friendly. The sites are well maintained although some are close together with not a lot of privacy thus the 4 star rating. I stayed at site 28 which was backed by a large wooded area," advises Michele F.
Pet accommodations: Many cabins have specific pet policies requiring additional fees. "The best loops for families with pets are Dogwood and Elm," notes a visitor about Rocky Gap, while another camper mentions that "Select loops allow pets but not all do" at Deep Creek Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many rustic cabin and RV sites require significant leveling. At Shawnee State Park, "Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level, and we did not have a problem finding one," states Lee D.
Power requirements: The electrical hookups at cabins vary widely. "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," notes Danielle S. about Shawnee State Park. Visitors with medical equipment should verify power availability before booking.
Off-season availability: Shoulder seasons offer better availability for last-minute cabin rentals. "A Monday in mid-October had many open sites," reports one RVer about Shawnee State Park. Fall weekdays typically have 50-70% lower occupancy rates than summer weekends.
Site proximity to bathhouses: When booking partial-hookup cabins, bathroom proximity matters. "Kudos to the park for sereneness, but man, that late night long walk to the bathroom sucks," warns Bill G. about New Germany State Park.
