Several cabin rental options exist within a 30-mile radius of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. Most cabins in this region sit at elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. Winter cabin rentals often contend with temperatures dropping below 20°F, while summer brings average highs around 82°F with moderate humidity levels.
What to do
Lake activities: 45-minute drive to Keystone State Park's 78-acre lake offers swimming, fishing, and boating. "The lake provides a great place to fish and the walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you are willing to walk. We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat," notes one visitor to Laurel Hill State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: Multiple skill levels available on trails throughout the region. "There is a lot to do in surrounding areas from Ft Ligonier to the shops in the town. Great place to spend the weekend," reports a visitor to Keystone State Park Campground.
Winter tubing and skiing: Many cabin rentals operate year-round, providing access to winter recreation. "We're staying in the winter for a few nights to visit friends who live outside Pittsburgh. Friendly and cozy spot. They've done a great job in the winter despite the frigid weather by using heat tape on the spigots and leaving lots of information at the office," mentions a winter visitor to Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA.
What campers like
Mountain views: Premium sites at some campgrounds offer scenic vistas. "You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. It's cute. Wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond," describes a camper at Mountain Top Campground.
Privacy levels vary by location: Some campgrounds offer more secluded cabin options. "Looking around the rest of the campground, the loop up near the cabins was a typical RV area with sites lined up with little privacy in between. I would look at the other loops for our next tent-camping visit," advises a visitor to Laurel Hill State Park Campground.
Accessibility to Pittsburgh: Most cabin rentals provide relatively easy access to the city. "Great spot close to Pittsburgh... I luckily got a spot overlooking a very dense tree-d valley with a beautiful sunset. Sites 41-48 are the best view at sunset," shares a Mountain Top Campground visitor about camping cabins near Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania.
What you should know
Weather preparation required: Cabins in this region experience significant seasonal variations. "Tent camping at an electrical site. We were on the outside edge of the pet loop so there was some nice shade there... sites can be a bit small or awkward for campers. Our neighbor had a bit of a rough time accessing our shared electric box," notes a visitor to Laurel Hill State Park.
Bathroom quality varies significantly: From primitive to modern facilities across locations. "Bathhouse was clean. Only disappointment was that the showers were coin operated, so you not only needed cash on hand but then had to turn those into special coins for the shower," comments a visitor at Mountain Top Campground.
Reservation lead times: During peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), cabin rentals require booking 3-6 months in advance. "We stayed in the winter for a few nights to visit friends who live outside Pittsburgh... They've done a great job in the winter despite the frigid weather," shares a Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA visitor, highlighting the increased availability during off-season.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Several parks offer kid-friendly swimming areas. "My children still talk about the fun we had!! We ended with a very private tent site with no amenities but around the corner from a pavilion with an outside washing station and flush toilets," shares a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mill Run.
Pet-friendly sections: Many campgrounds have designated pet areas. "The pet loop was on the outside edge so there was some nice shade there. Everyone was friendly. And what a lovely state park. The beaches were great. We went canoeing on the lake," notes a visitor to Laurel Hill State Park.
Playgrounds and organized activities: Available at select locations for additional entertainment. "They have a pool, fishing pond and a cloud pillow with the playground next to it along with two small dog play areas. Every week they organize different themes for bingo, and other games. They also have Sunday pancake days," explains a Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many cabin and RV sites require leveling equipment. "The sites are pretty close together and we couldn't use our fire ring because it ended up being very close to our rig. Luckily we camped with friends who had more space in their spot," notes a visitor to Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA.
Water and electricity hookups: Available at most locations, but placement varies. "The electrical hookups are not played out well like an expensive RV park with the shared power post on the entrance side of the camper. You may want to have an extension for your power cable," advises a Laurel Hill State Park visitor.
Dump station access: Limited at some campgrounds. "We stayed for a week and left on a Wednesday, so we chose to drive to the dump station on our way out (100 yards away from our site) and save the $30," explains a visitor to Raccoon Creek State Park Campground, discussing the mobile pump-out service alternative.
