Cabins and Yurts

The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks is ready to meet your needs in planning a stay in one of over 280 state park cabins located throughout the Commonwealth. Of the 117 state parks in Pennsylvania, 27 offer cabins. These cabins please a variety of tastes--from those seeking a little adventure, to those who like the comfort of modern accommodations. Renting a cabin in a Pennsylvania state park is a great way to have a relaxing, enjoyable time in the out-of-doors.

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What Types of Cabins Are Available?

Ask yourself these questions,

     Where do I want to spend my cabin getaway?

          What type of cabin accommodations do I prefer?

Pennsylvania state parks offer rustic and modern cabins, but most state parks offer only one type of cabin. This means that you have to consider the location of the park and the type of cabins available for your getaway.

If you require an accommodation during your stay due to a disability, please advise the reservationist so the accommodation can be provided if it is available.

Rustic Cabins

Rustic cabins have a great deal of charm and character. Most are made of wood and stone laid by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. These quaint cabins stand as a testament to the important conservation work done by the CCC. If you're one of the more daring sort, the sparse furnishings and more primitive accommodations of a Pennsylvania state park rustic cabin should challenge your spirit of adventure. Rustic cabins do not have indoor plumbing, but feature a refrigerator; fireplace, wood stove or gas heater for heat; and gas or electric kitchen stove. Firewood cannot be guaranteed. These cabins sleep between two and eight people.

Modern Cabins and Houses

Modern cabins take the rough out of "roughing it" for those who enjoy comfortable accommodations. Each modern cabin offers carpeting, electric heat, bedrooms, living room/dining room, bathroom and kitchen. These beautiful log cabins feature a wooden cathedral ceiling in the main living area and modern conveniences throughout. They come in two models: two-bedroom/sleeps six, and three-bedroom/sleeps eight. Each cabin has one double bed and bunk beds for varied sleeping arrangements. Each unit has an outdoor fire ring, grill and picnic table.

Certain state parks have one-of-a-kind houses available. Some houses have fireplaces. These houses are listed on the back page. Modern cabin rates apply.

Explore a 360° view of the interior of a modern cabin.

Yurts

These Mongolian-style tents are round, on wooden deck and have a cooking stove, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric heat and outlets, fire ring, picnic table, adjacent water pump, and sleep four or five people in bunk beds.

What Are the Costs and Rental Seasons?

Costs of renting a state park cabin depend on the length of stay, the type of cabin and the day of the week. For exact information on the current rental prices, look in the Pennsylvania State Parks Price Guide. Rates are lower for weekly and mid-week rental periods.

The summer season rental period begins the second Friday in June to the day before the third Friday in August. During this time all cabins must be rented for a one week period, beginning on a Friday. All other cabin rental periods are considered off-season and cabins must be rented for a minimum of two days, up to a maximum of 14 consecutive days.

How Do I make a Cabin Reservation?

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

Cabins can be reserved 11 months in advance or as little as three days before the day of arrival. For reservations two days or less in advance, call the state park that you wish to visit. Since many people use the cabins, it is advisable to make reservations well in advance.

Reservations can be made using MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover credit cards or personal, traveler's and cashier's checks. To receive a confirmed reservation, full payment must be received by the Bureau within ten days of making the reservation.

Make online reservations or call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. holidays.

What if I Need to Cancel my Reservation?

Changes to an online reservation must be made by calling the Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation Center at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Cancellations can be handled via the Internet under "My Account" or by calling the call center. Cancellations made up to the close of business seven days prior to your scheduled arrival date will incur a $10 cancellation fee. If you cancel six days or less prior to the arrival date, you will forfeit the first night's fee or $75, whichever is the lesser amount. There is a $10 fee assessed for all changes made to your reservation, except adding nights to the reservation. Changes to a reservation can be made at the call center, but not via the Internet. Any cancellation or change on the day of arrival must be made through the state park that you have the reservation with.

When Are Cabins Available?

All cabins are open year-round except: Clear Creek, Cook Forest, Cowans Gap, Promised Land, S.B. Elliott, and the rustic cabins at Black Moshannon. These cabins are open from mid-April to Mid-December.

What to Bring?

Cabins have minimal furnishings. Please bring bed linens, towels, dishes, pots, pans, dinnerware, first aid kit and an ax for splitting wood. Those staying in rustic cabins also need to bring a container to carry water into the cabin. Pets and alcoholic beverages are prohibitted.

When Is Swimming Available?

Weather permitting, swimming is available in state parks that have beaches and pools from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Some lakes are open for swimming from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset, unless otherwise posted.

Access For People with Disabilities

There are 23 state parks with fully accessible cabins for people with disabilities. These cabins have ramps, low counters and sinks, and other accommodations. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Modern and Rustic Cabins and Yurts Locations

Select the region below to go to a graph of the parks in that region.
If you can't use the map, use the text links below.

Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region   -   Northeast Pennsylvania Mountains
Pittsburgh and Its Countryside   -   Philadelphia and the Countryside
Pennsylvania Wilds   -   The Alleghenies and Her Valleys
Dutch Country Roads

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

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