Cabins near Transfer, Pennsylvania dot the surrounding countryside within a short drive of Shenango and Pymatuning lakes. The region sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in northwestern Pennsylvania with a temperate climate featuring warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Most cabin rentals operate seasonally from late April through mid-October, with availability becoming particularly limited during summer weekends.
What to do
Lake activities: At Jamestown Campground in Pymatuning State Park, visitors have direct water access for fishing and boating. "We took our bikes to Meadville to do the Ernst bike trail (recommended - a paved, flat, easy 6.3 mile cycling trail through the woods and along the river)," notes a camper at Jamestown Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Birdwatching opportunities abound in the region, particularly around Pymatuning Lake. "The bald eagles sit in the trees not at all bothered by us. amazing," reports one visitor about Jamestown Campground.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain beaches for guests. At Mosquito Lake State Park, "There is a small beach at the campground but a larger one on the other side of the lake," according to a visitor. The park also features "a swimming beach and various functions throughout the year."
Disc golf and geocaching: West Branch State Park offers recreational alternatives beyond water activities. "We set off to explore the park. It had some really nice hiking trails. We also played some disc golf and went geocaching," reports one visitor.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many cabins and camping sites in the area provide ample room for setup. At Linesville Campground, visitors appreciate that "there is a fair amount of room between sites so you don't feel crowded." One camper specifically noted their site was "big and near the water."
Clean facilities: The bathhouses at most cabin campgrounds receive positive reviews for maintenance. West Branch State Park has "clean individual showers" and facilities that are "large and clean." Another visitor reports "all bath houses and restrooms are handicap available with each toilet and shower set up individually."
Water views: Many cabins offer lake views or water access. At Linesville Campground, "Our site had a great view of the sunsets and the water!" One visitor states, "The Linesville Campground is a mid-sized state park campground with level, wooded sites, right on the Pymantuning Lake."
On-site recreation: Beyond natural attractions, some campgrounds offer additional amenities. Adventure Bound Shenango Valley has "great playgrounds for the kids and plenty of things for the adults too!" while another visitor notes "lots for kids to do. Great pool, friendly seasonal campers, well kept grounds."
What you should know
Uneven terrain: Some cabins and campsites sit on sloped ground requiring adjustment. At West Branch State Park, one camper reported, "Our site was labeled slight slope. That was a joke. We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches."
Water quality issues: Several campgrounds experience seasonal water conditions that affect activities. At Mosquito Lake State Park, "The algae was kind of thick, which made fishing impossible, so we stopped bringing the kayak."
Variable cell service: Many cabin areas have limited connectivity. Adventure Bound Shenango Valley is a "great place to put your phone away, bc you won't have reception in the valley."
Water fill stations: For RV campers, some parks have poorly designed utility connections. West Branch State Park's "water fill is on an incline so when our tank was 'full' pulling away from fill station it was really only 2/3 full."
Seasonal availability: Most cabin rentals operate on limited schedules. Mercer-Grove City KOA is open "April 1 - November 1" while Adventure Bound Shenango Valley operates "May 1 to October 15."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for cabins near play areas for easier supervision. Mercer-Grove City KOA features "a playground, inground pool, and a store." Another visitor mentions their "large open campground with plenty of stuff to do for everyone."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs for children. Mosquito Lake State Park provides "nets to catch critters" and has "an epic playground for kids. If your kids are 8 and under they'll love the nature playground."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule events for families. At Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, "They offer many kid friendly activities" including "bikes, crafts, rides, and the hay ride was a blast."
Beach proximity: Choose cabins with easy water access for children. West Branch State Park's "camper beach was small but nice and clean," and the park is "great for families, good fishing."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers should carefully choose cabin or RV sites based on size and accessibility. At Mercer-Grove City KOA, "We have a 40' class A and flat tow a Jeep. We use both the RV Garmin 890 & RV Trip Wizard and both had us doing some crazy side roads to get into the KOA. Be sure to use the park's directions for an easier drive in."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling equipment. For Jamestown Campground, a visitor noted, "The site was not level, but we were able to get the tent trailer level without too much effort."
Hook-up access: Utility placement varies between cabin and RV sites. Adventure Bound Shenango Valley provides "all sites full hookup" while Linesville Campground has an "RV dump station and water fill up conveniently located in the center of the grounds."
Off-season options: Some cabin facilities remain open year-round or have extended seasons. West Branch State Park offers "private, spacious, shady sites" and operates "all year," making it suitable for off-season camping when other facilities close.
