Field notes
Best glamping in Pennsylvania: Poconos, Allegheny, Pittsburgh region
Pennsylvania glamping is underrated. Three regional clusters — Poconos, Allegheny, and the Laurel Highlands — each offer a different flavor of weekend.
Poconos region
1. Lake Wallenpaupack / Hawley
The lake-resort tradition. Cabins + waterfront. Hawley →
2. Stroudsburg / East Stroudsburg
Pocono gateway. Cabin density high. Stroudsburg →
3. Jim Thorpe
Charming historic town, river-adjacent. Boutique cabin + yurt cluster. Jim Thorpe →
4. White Haven / Lehigh Gorge
Whitewater + hiking. Cabin density. White Haven →
Allegheny region (north central)
5. Allegheny National Forest
Vast and underused. Cabin + yurt cluster around the forest. Kane PA →
6. State College area
Mountain valley. Mostly cabin. State College →
7. Cook Forest State Park area
Ancient hemlocks, dark skies. Smaller but high-quality cluster. Cook Forest →
Laurel Highlands + Pittsburgh region
8. Ohiopyle / Laurel Highlands
Yough river whitewater, biking, hiking. Falling Water nearby. Ohiopyle →
9. Hidden Valley / Seven Springs
Mountain resort area. Year-round. Hidden Valley →
10. Lancaster County (Amish country)
Distinct cultural flavor. Farm-stay glamping. Often working farms. Lancaster →
By trip type
Family with kids. Poconos resorts + cabins; Lake Wallenpaupack.
Adventure / whitewater. Ohiopyle or Lehigh Gorge.
Foliage chase. Allegheny NF or Laurel Highlands, mid-October.
Quick from Philly. Poconos.
Quick from Pittsburgh. Ohiopyle or Laurel Highlands.
Quick from NYC. Poconos again (the closest).
Format breakdown
Cabins — dominant. Long PA tradition; many family-run.
Yurts — growing across the state. Sometimes at state parks.
Treehouses — growing fast, especially Poconos + Laurel Highlands.
Conestoga wagons — small but real cluster (the Conestoga shape was invented here).
Bell tents / safari tents — common at seasonal operators.
What to know
- I-80 + I-78 + I-81 are the spine routes; weekend traffic Fridays/Sundays can add 1+ hour.
- PA state parks have great cabin inventory if you book months ahead.
- Pennsylvania is the original “Conestoga” home — a few operators lean into the history.
- Lyme/tick season is significant April–October. Check yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Where's the densest PA glamping?
The Poconos region (NE Pennsylvania) — historic Catskill-alternative for NYC + Philly families. Strong cabin tradition, growing yurt and dome inventory.
Closest to Philadelphia?
Poconos via I-80 (~1.5 hr), Hawley/Lake Wallenpaupack, or southern PA (Lancaster County area). Lancaster has small but distinctive Amish-country glamping.
Best season?
Mid-October for foliage. Late May for spring. November-March for lowest prices.
What's near Pittsburgh?
Allegheny National Forest (1.5-2 hr north), Laurel Highlands (1-1.5 hr east), Ohiopyle State Park (Yough river). Strong cabin + treehouse cluster.