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Cabin by a lake w/in 4 hour drive of Pittsburgh?

Cabin by a lake w/in 4 hour drive of Pittsburgh?

Old Feb 28th, 2010, 06:55 PM
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Cabin by a lake w/in 4 hour drive of Pittsburgh?

We are hoping to take a relaxing vacation by renting a cabin by a lake for a week. We are two adults proficient in camping, an easily entertained two year old, and possibly our fun-loving dog. We're driving from Pgh, and with the little one, we need to not drive for too long.

We'd love to rent a place where we can swim and possibly ride a boat and maybe catch a few fish. A town nearby where we can do a little shopping or possibly have lunch or dinner would be ideal. Somewhere stocked with wood for an outdoor campfire? Clean and comfortable and simple. Not crowded. A kitchen with basic utensils, working fridge, stove, plumbing. Warm showers! Friendly welcoming people. Dog friendly? (my husband would cringe - he wants to know why we always have to bring the dog! We don't HAVE TO, but if we can, I'd like to - she loves this kind of thing!)

The time of year is still undecided, but probably mid/late summer or early fall. Possibly earlier. If it's summer, we'd love a place w/cooling breezes!

We're just getting started making plans, but I know this is the best place to get experienced suggestions, so please send any and all ideas.

Thanks a million, in advance!
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Old Mar 1st, 2010, 12:55 AM
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Might want to start with PA: http://tinyurl.com/2kba4j Some rooting around should produce similar results in neighboring states.
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Old Mar 1st, 2010, 01:33 AM
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Prince Gallitzin State Park is one of my favorites for this kind of travel: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...gallitzin.aspx

It should definitely be within your driving range and it's a lovely place; the town of Flinton has a few restaurants and stores and is right outside the park. It might be crowded in mid-summer, but you should be okay in late summer/early fall.

I've had some great times here!
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Old Mar 1st, 2010, 05:01 AM
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Check out the lake erie islands. Very nice in the summer, really relaxing but with lots to do, and close to cedar point amusement park, "roller coast capital of the world".

http://lake-erie.com/

http://www.cedarpoint.com/
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Old Mar 1st, 2010, 06:35 PM
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www.kelleysisland.com & www.hockinghills.com, there are a few posts on here about each. The Old Mans Cave camping area abuts a Lake. Also, Lake Hope & Lake Logan are both nearby for fishing as well.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2010, 01:50 PM
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Lots of state parks have full-service cabins that fit your description, although I doubt most would allow your dog. Herrington Manor in Maryland and Cacapon State Park in West Virginia are two I can think of off-hand. State park cabins are usually such a great bargain that they fill up quickly, so you may have to act fast to get a cabin for this summer. Deep Creek Lake in Maryland is another suggestion.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2010, 07:01 PM
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I knew this was the right place to ask - such great ideas. Thanks everyone! I am definitely open to further ideas, so keep them coming.
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Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 07:09 AM
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Gee, when I was growing up, the population around Canadohta Lake always quadrupled with people coming in from Pittsburgh!
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Old Mar 3rd, 2010, 12:32 PM
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Perhaps something at Cheat Lake, just northeast of Morgantown, WV., would appeal to you. It's an easy drive from Pittsburgh; the surroundings are lovely!
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Old Mar 4th, 2010, 06:41 AM
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I was curious about the pet issue at the state park cabins, so I did a little research. We don't have a dog, so I've never given it much thought. It looks like quite a few of the parks in WV and Ohio allow dogs in some of their cabins. (I didn't check the other states.)
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