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Top Spots For A Cabin Weekend Near Philadelphia

When it comes to camping quarters, cabins have it all. Not only are they roomier, dryer and warmer than tents, but cabins are still rustic enough to be considered "camping" — just with a few more amenities. So whether you long for a little time in the great outdoors, a stroll by the water's edge, or a hike in the hills, that cabin weekend is calling you! If you live in the Philly area, there are a number of destinations nearby that offer cabins for rent; all you need to do is pack up the car and let the family pile in for a weekend getaway they'll always remember.

French Creek State Park
843 Park Road
Elverson, PA 19520
(610) 582-9680
www.dcnr.state.pa.us

French Creek State Park is an easy hour-long drive from Philadelphia, perfect for that weekend cabin getaway. You can choose from wood cabins (called camping cottages) that come equipped with electric lights and a few outlets, as well as bunks that sleep five. You can also go a little more rustic with a yurt, which is a cross between a cabin and a tent. You'll enjoy exploring the more than 35 miles of trails that wind through 7,730 acres, including an eight-mile section of the Horseshoe Trail, which stretches 130 miles from Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail.

Related: Top Hiking Trails In Philadelphia

Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania
2053 Route 660
Wellsboro, PA 16901
(570) 724-0635
www.visittiogapa.com

The Tioga State Forest's Pine Creek Gorge is known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania and is a popular getaway spot for Philly families who want to stay close to home yet "get away from it all." The gorge, which is surrounded by 165,000 acres of woodlands, drops to 1,450 feet deep at its deepest point and runs for 47 miles from just south of Ansonia all the way to Waterville. Be awed by the scenic overlooks located in Leonard Harrison and Colton State Parks, and be sure to catch the waterfalls along Turkey Path in Leonard Harrison State Park. Tioga State Forest is accessible year round, and the Tioga County PA Visitors Bureau offers a number of suggestions for cozy year-round cabin rentals.

Mountain Springs Lake
PO Box 297
Mountain Springs Drive
Reeders, PA 18352
(570) 629-0251
www.mslresort.com

Tucked away in the picturesque Pocono Mountains, Mountain Springs Lake is nestled among the rolling hills of the 325 woodland acres that make up this enchanting getaway spot. Located an easy afternoon drive from the City of Brotherly Love, this private resort caters to both couples and families, and it's the perfect destination for a weekend getaway where you'll be able to fish, play tennis or hike with easy access to skiing, snowboarding and shopping, too. With almost 40 cabins to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect fit for your weekend getaway needs, whether you seek romantic solace by the lake or a rustic gathering place for the family to reconnect.

Nockamixon State Park
1542 Mountain View Drive
Quakertown, PA 18951
(215) 529-7300
www.dcnr.state.pa.us

Nockamixon State Park is located in Bucks County, less than an hour from Philadelphia. Ten furnished cabins, complete with electricity and plumbing, are available year-round for rent, but can only be reserved by the weekend (minimum stay is two nights) during the cooler months, and summertime rentals are only available by the week. In the warmer months, you'll enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, biking and more, and during the winter, you can sled in the area above the marina, and cross-country skiing is allowed on the bicycle trail and roads in the closed day use area. Ice skating and ice fishing on the lake is permitted when the ice is four inches thick.

Related: Top Places For Outdoor Winter Activities In Philadelphia

Parvin State Park
701 Almond Road
Pittsgrove, NJ 08318
(856) 358-8616
www.state.nj.us

With two sparkling lakes and miles of hiking trails, Parvin State Park in New Jersey is an easy drive from Philly and perfect for a weekend cabin vacation. Eighteen rental cabins are available for folks who prefer the added comforts of home over traditional campsites. Two bedrooms, a furnished living room with either a fireplace or wood-burning stove and a kitchen with running water, an electric stove and fridge as well as a fully appointed bathroom make these quarters cozy for up to six, with a couple of the cabins equipped for persons with disabilities. Cabins, located on the north shore of Thundergust Lake, are only available from April through October.

Christy Ayala covers sports, recreation, the outdoors, and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. She earned a masters degree in recreation administration from George Williams College and managed programs in the Midwest, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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