Cabin accommodations near Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania provide access to over 16,000 acres of outdoor recreation at nearby Moraine State Park with its 3,225-acre Lake Arthur. Most rental units in the region are situated within private campgrounds that operate from mid-April through October, when average temperatures range from 45°F to 80°F. Sites typically require reservations 2-4 weeks in advance during peak summer months.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: At Breakneck Campground, visitors can access the North Country Trail that runs through McConnells Mill State Park. "From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park," shares one camper.
Water activities on Lake Arthur: Fishing, kayaking, and boating are popular at Lake Arthur, accessible from several nearby cabins. "Moraine state park is 3 minutes away with lake Aurther for sailing, canoeing, power boating, bike trails, frisbee golf coarse and swimming," reports a visitor to Breakneck Campground.
Holiday-themed weekends: Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping hosts special themed weekends. "Halloween weekends are a great time to visit!" states one reviewer. Another camper details the activities: "Halloween Events: Pumpking Carving Contest, Voting On Pumpkins (Carved), Campstore Sales, T-Shirts And Apparel (Halloween Versions), Dance Party."
What campers like
Creek-side accommodations: Primitive sites at Breakneck Campground offer a more secluded experience. "We were lucky enough to be able to camp down by the stream. There are designated fireplaces. It is quite a walk up the hill to the campground amenities, but worth it to feel secluded down by the creek," explains one visitor.
Clean facilities: Many campers praise the maintenance standards at local campgrounds. At Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, one visitor notes, "Great campground and very clean. Probably the cleanest shower house I have ever seen at a campground." Another mentions it's "always up kept and very clean."
Family activities: Organized events keep kids entertained at several locations. "Plenty of activities for the kids, awesome lasertag course," writes one Jellystone visitor. Another reports, "We love camping at Jellystone at Kozy Rest! Staff is super friendly and campground is always very clean. Tons of activities to keep the kids busy all day!!"
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most cabin rentals near Slippery Rock operate from mid-April through October. Mercer-Grove City KOA lists its season as "Open 4/1 - 11/1," offering an extended fall season compared to other facilities.
Navigation challenges: Some locations have tricky access roads. "We use both the RV Garmin 890 & RV Trip Wizard and both had us doing some crazy side roads to get into the KOA. Be sure to use the park's directions for an easier drive in," advises a Mercer-Grove City KOA camper.
Site topography: The terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. At Bear Run Campground, a visitor notes it's "too hilly for kids to ride bikes," while also mentioning it's "very close to Lake Arthur for fishing and kayaking."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools that are popular with children. At Indian Brave Campground, "They have an Olympic sized swimming pool, nature trails, playground, basketball court, recreation hall and walking distance to harmony and all the live music and nightlife that Harmony and Zelienople have to offer."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled programming. "Campground is clean, offers many kid friendly activities, and staff is accommodating. Great time," reports a visitor to Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest. The campground features "pool, bikes, crafts, rides, super nice staff and the hay ride was a blast."
Playground access: Many cabins are situated near playgrounds for convenient outdoor play. At Mercer-Grove City KOA, a reviewer notes, "Very well maintained campground with lots of amenities, esp for kids (pool, playground). Generous sized sites, not too close together."
Tips from RVers
Site preferences: For larger rigs, look for pull-through sites with adequate space. Bear Run Campground "offers pull through sites for larger RVs," according to one review, making it easier to navigate with larger cabin-style trailers.
Dump station access: Even when staying in cabins, RV owners may need dump station access. At Mercer-Grove City KOA, "They permit non guests to utilize the dump site at a small fee $20 (during non peak times)," which is helpful for those traveling between destinations.
First-timer support: Some campgrounds provide extra assistance for newcomers. "As first time travel trailer owners, they helped us accomplish our first trip away! Upon calling to book a site, we mentioned this was our first trip, they made the utmost effort to accommodate us with all of our needs. They escorted us to our campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up!"
