Cabin camping near Summerdale, Pennsylvania offers convenient access to the Appalachian Trail system, with the area sitting at elevations between 450-1,000 feet depending on specific campground location. The climate features distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 85°F and cold winters that can drop into the 20s. Fall is popular for cabin rentals when the surrounding mountains showcase vibrant foliage along the hiking trails.
What to do
Hiking local trails: Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground sits at the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail and offers excellent trail access. "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles," shares one visitor who enjoyed exploring the area.
Swimming in multiple locations: Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground features two swimming areas with different advantages. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," notes one camper.
Creek activities: Jonestown/Hershey KOA offers direct water access from certain cabin sites. "The Swatara creek runs right next to it so it is great for kayaking, tubing, etc," mentions a visitor who enjoyed the water activities. The creek is generally shallow and calm enough for families with children.
Historical exploration: Cabins at Little Buffalo State Park provide a comfortable base for exploring the park's historical sites. "The historical mill was well worth the trip. By the far the highlight of ours as well. Especially since they engaged the wheel and actually ground corn!" explains one camper who appreciated this educational activity.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA maintains high standards for their bathhouses. "Spotless bathrooms. Nice pool and playgrounds. Not a lot of traffic. Quiet. Friendly. Price is fair and not nearly as expensive as many other KOAs but the quality is just as good!" reports one satisfied camper.
Waterfront access: Ferryboat Campsites offers unique riverside cabin camping. "Lots to do very close to water and many things to do in and around camp ground," notes one visitor. Another adds, "We stayed at a Susquehanna river view site with full hookups for 2 nights. Site was level and shaded, but very close to neighbors."
Quiet environment: Deer Run Campgrounds has wooded cabin areas that provide more seclusion. "We picked a tent site (218 or 219) as far away from everyone else as we could get. A bunch of the tent sites border the woods, and I definitely recommend snagging one of those if you're able," suggests a camper looking for privacy.
Pool facilities: Many cabin campers appreciate the swimming options at Little Buffalo State Park. "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!" explains a visitor who enjoyed the pool amenities during summer months.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Cabin availability varies significantly by season and day of week. At Thousand Trails Hershey, "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," advises a frequent visitor.
Linens and supplies: Pack all bedding necessities when booking cabins. "Each site had a lamp post so that at night, you could easily see where you are parked but they place them low to the ground so as not to add to light pollution," notes a Thousand Trails Hershey visitor, showing attention to practical details.
Noise considerations: Train tracks near some cabin areas can impact sleep quality. At Hersheypark Camping Resort, multiple reviews mention train noise: "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!"
Seasonal events: Check campground schedules before booking. "The weekend we went they had water wars. The water wars themselves did not bother us, however several people did not respect our site boundaries even though we clearly were not participating," cautions a Deer Run Campgrounds visitor who suggests checking activity calendars.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly swimming: Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers exceptional swimming options. "There is a pool! The pool is very nice! They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad!" shares a parent who found the amenities perfect for younger children.
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds offer unique animal experiences. At Ferryboat Campsites, "There is a small goat petting zoo, with very friendly pigmy goats and the camp is extremely pet friendly as long as they are on a leash," notes one visitor who enjoyed this family-friendly feature.
First-time camping spots: Select cabins at more developed campgrounds for first camping experiences. "We took our 3 yo camping for the first time here. He had so much fun. It was clean campground located in a State Park. Easy walk to the lake with a small beach," shares a Gifford Pinchot visitor who had a positive introduction to camping with young children.
Biking opportunities: Many cabin campgrounds offer paved roads suitable for children learning to ride. "Paved roads for bike rides! Tons of wonderful trails to explore!" mentions a Pine Grove Furnace State Park visitor, highlighting activities beyond just hiking.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for maximum space: Elizabethtown-Hershey KOA offers varying site sizes. "Large and easy to enter/exit sites. Wifi was pretty good. (It helped that the antenna was right beside our site!) Cable TV, too!" reports an RVer who found their setup comfortable.
Winter planning: For year-round cabin camping, Jonestown/Hershey KOA operates through all seasons. "We usually stay here for the first trip of our season. It's always clean and the staff are real friendly," notes one early-season visitor who appreciates this consistency.
Hook-up specifics: For cabins with utilities, Gifford Pinchot State Park offers limited options. "We had site 108 which is an electric site along the shore and close to the beach, and it was perfect for our needs," shares a visitor who found the location ideal for their setup.
