Plan a relaxing getaway during the cooler months at these waterfront cabins throughout Pennsylvania.
When the weather gets chilly, you can still enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. Pennsylvania is home to many lakes, rivers, and ponds that provide stunning scenery alongside the state’s woods and forests. And you can book cozy rentals that allow you to experience the best of Penn’s Woods.
We’ve put together a list of gorgeous waterfront cabins throughout the state where you can plan a relaxing retreat this fall or winter.
1. For the skier
Cottage on Trout Creek – Somerset
If you want to stay near Seven Springs or Hidden Valley Ski Resorts but have a cozy cabin all to yourself, book a stay at this cabin tucked along a stream in the Laurel Highlands. Enjoy the outdoors at the cabin’s firepit and creekside patio, and then head inside to admire the view while you enjoy high-speed internet. The cabin is also surrounded by hiking trails, so you can fully explore the area before you head off to ski or snow tube at the nearby ski resorts.
Book on Vrbo; average nightly price $249.
2. For the wildlife watcher
Camp Eagle’s Nest on Sinnemahoning Creek – Driftwood
At this cabin located in the Pennsylvania Wilds, you can see lovely views of both Sinnemahoning Creek and the nearby mountains. Though you’ll be immersed in nature, you’ll also have access to modern amenities like a modern kitchen and Wi-Fi. And if you’re lucky, you may spot some of the famed Pennsylvania elk herd, as the cabin is nestled in the Pa. elk range. The best time to see elk is during the mating season, which typically begins in September and runs through October. Note that you still may spot elk outside this season!
Book on Vrbo; average nightly price $160.
3. For the kid at heart
Treehouse above a creek – Lucinda
This Clarion County rental is not just a cabin, but it’s also a treehouse! Straddling a creek, the treehouse sits on stilts to rise on par with the trees, making a stay at the cabin perfect for treehouse and rope bridge enthusiasts. The treehouse is also rather luxurious, with modern furnishings and appliances, a king-size bed, and a wide outdoor deck to take in the mountain air.
Book on Vrbo; average nightly price $340.
4. For the history lover
Streamside Antietam Toll House – Waynesboro
Located near both Gettysburg and Antietam, this cabin is in a perfect location for history buffs. But the cabin itself—known as the Antietam Toll House—is also historic. The toll house was originally built around 1800 and served as the gatekeeper’s house for a bridge over Antietam Creek that was burned during the Battle of Gettysburg. Now fully renovated, it’s a charming getaway that can serve both as a base to explore this historic area and relax within nature. Sit along the stream while your dog (the cabin is pet-friendly) enjoys the fenced-in yard.
Book on Vrbo; average nightly price $123.
5. For the city slicker
Back Woods Cabin alongside a pond
Just a short drive off the turnpike, this rental on a pond is an ideal location for the urbanite who just wants a quick weekend trip away from the city. Located near Reading, the cabin is just over an hour from Center City Philly—but you’ll feel like you’re even farther away in this picturesque, forested retreat. The log cabin has been restored from its 1800s origins but still retains the charm of an old-timey cabin. Though, they didn’t have hot tubs in the 1800s.
Book on Vrbo; average nightly price $175.
6. For the outdoor enthusiast
Log cabin on the Delaware River – Milford
Located in Milford, the northern gateway to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, this charming cabin is perfect for folks interested in exploring all that the Delaware Water Gap has to offer. And the Water Gap is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Within and around the recreation area, you can hike, climb, and enjoy the Delaware River. The cabin even features a private staircase to the river if the temperature allows kayaking or canoeing. As a true retreat from the grind, the rental does not have cell service.
Book on Vrbo; average nightly price $157.
7. For the beach bum
Lakeview on the Lake – Erie
Lake Erie may not be a fall and winter destination for suntanning, but as the only “seashore” in Pa., it is a great place to enjoy views of and walk along beaches. Lakeview on the Lake offers waterfront cabins as well as hotel rooms, with some cabins providing just the basics (plus a stunning view) while others have multiple bedrooms and full kitchens. You’re close to the beaches and trails of Presque Isle State Park as well as Lake Erie Wine Country.
Book online; nightly prices start at $149.
8. For the friend of the Pa. state parks
There are dozens of state parks throughout Pennsylvania where you can book rustic camping cottages and campsites in order to spend time in protected natural areas while supporting the park system. But during the colder months, you may prefer to stay in cabins with full amenities like kitchens and bathrooms. Good news: there are a few Pennsylvania State Parks with waterfront modern cabins. These cabins have bathrooms as well as kitchens—you just need to bring your own cookware, dishes, towels, and sheets. Also, some of the cabins at each park allow dogs.
Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park in Butler County is a southwestern Pa. gem. While the park is most popular in the summer, when boaters and swimmers take to Moraine State Park’s Lake Arthur, the 11 lakefront cabins are also wonderful destinations in winter and fall. Each has two bedrooms and sleeps six. Enjoy the park by biking, hiking, taking the Trail of Geology driving tour, and trying your hand at spotting waterfowl. When it snows, you can cross-country ski.
Book on ReserveAmerica; nightly prices start at $64.
Prince Gallitzin State Park
Prince Gallitzin State Park is home to the 1,635-acre Glendale Lake, surrounded by mountains. The Cambria County park is full of recreational opportunities even in the cooler months, as visitors can go on nature hikes, enjoy state park programs, hop on their mountain bikes, take to cross-country ski trails, and even play disc golf. The 10 modern cabins are not far from the lake; they range in size and sleep between six and eight people.
Book on ReserveAmerica; nightly prices start at $64.
Pymatuning State Park
Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County is one of the largest state parks in Pa., covering a whopping 16,892 acres. The lake, Pymatuning Reservoir, is even bigger. You can explore the park to see striking views of the lake, vivid sunsets, and maybe even bald eagles flying overhead. The park has 25 modern cabins, with 20 by the Jamestown Campground and 5 by the Linesville Campground. Each cabin sleeps between six to eight people, depending on the number of bedrooms.
Book on ReserveAmerica; nightly prices start at $64.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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