Best Places For A Cabin Weekend Near Pittsburgh

The weather has turned to downright crisp, the leaves are beginning to turn and those happy days of summer fun and frolic are beginning to fade. Weekend trips during the fall, however, are some of the best times to travel in Western PA. The drive offers perfect temps, stunning scenery and your destination will likely have a fall-themed cornucopia of activities and food. Below you'll find the best places to visit, which offer great lodging and tons to see and do.

This 1,200-acre park is a close destination for year-round accommodations. Eleven modern cabins are near the breast of the dam between two campgrounds that boast many trails and a lake all within walking distance. This campground is an ideal setting for wildlife watching or outdoor adventures. Keystone's cabins sleep six people in two bedrooms, one which features a double bed and another with two sets of bunk beds. Each cabin has a clean and well-appointed bathroom with shower, kitchen with new appliances, and outside is a picnic table and chimney. Visitors must bring their own kitchen, bath and bedding necessities, however, so pack accordingly.

The sparkling waters, gently rolling hills and dense forests of this state park are deceptive to the eye. If one didn't already know the history, they would be surprised to learn about the rampant prior coal mining, oil and gas drilling practices that went on mere years ago, nearly destroying this historic land. However, thanks to the conservation efforts of a few concerned Pennsylvanians, the extraction was soon stopped before any lasting damage could be done. Like Keystone, Moraine boasts 11 state-of-the-art cabins that are available for rent year-round. These electrically heated cabins sleep six people and have two full bedrooms, bathroom with full amenities and a dock that looks right over Lake Arthur.

Laurel Hill State Park consists of a staggering 4,062 acres of mountain terrain near Somerset County. The 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake is a focal point of the park, which is ensconced by thousands of acres of protected state park and state forest lands. A trail system invites visitors to explore the area, which is close to Seven Springs and the Lauren Highlands, providing year-round opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Laurel Hill's contemporary cabin sleeps eight and provides all of the comforts and amenities of home. Three bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room, two baths, dining room, a recreation room and a large great room offer plenty of space for your party to stretch out and play, or rest comfortably for the remainder of your trip.

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Another gorgeous cabin near the Laurel Basin would be that belonging to Adventure's Rest at Ohiopyle. The property is a newly renovated four-season, three-bedroom home, and is adjacent to Ohiopyle State Park tucked away on three private acres. It's within minutes of Fallingwater, the Great Allegheny Passage, Youghiogheny River, Kentuck Knob and the fun and attractions of Seven Springs. Adventures Rest also offers a spectacular view of the Youghiogheny River Gorge, and would be a splendid place to stay during your weekend getaway.

Adventure Bound's answer to camping in PA is its campground located near Lancaster in the heart of Amish Country. The amenities at this Pennsylvania campground include a heated outdoor swimming pool for year-round use, multiple playgrounds, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and free cable. The fashionable cabins include charming log homes, deluxe cottages, two-room cabins and cozy, one-room bungalows. You're bound to feel right at home while you enjoy nature, and can even venture out to see all of the sights that Lancaster has to offer.

Related: Ask A Pittsburgh Outdoorsman: Packing List For Your Next Campout