When I was a kid, my family did a lot of camping at PA State Parks, because it was pretty cheap to do it. Sites were $6.00/day. Nowadays, prices are four times or more that; granted you get electric hookups and other upgrades, but we were tent campers and would not have used the amenities and for the extra money now, I'd rather throw in a bit more and get the roof and walls and heating/cooling to go along with it and rent a SP cabin. Either that, or pay nothing and go the primitive backpacking camping route.
The modern SP cabins are cookie cutter - pretty much you've seen one, you've seen them all. They are nice enough for a base of operations but we've taken a liking to the unique houses that are available in the SP system. Some favorite unique houses (all have proximity to some fish):
Ole Bull - Ole Bull Cabin - this is a large beautiful log cabin and is probably our favorite of all the unique houses we've stayed in. All of Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, and Clinton county streams are nearby.
Black Moshannon - The Old Ski Lodge - cabin #20 (I believe) is off by itself at the site of an old ski slope. It is huge and fairly secluded.
Shawnee - Lakeside Lodge - a very homey cottage on the lake. More warmwater species than anything else, but you're within 45-60 minutes drive of some trout waters
Pine Grove Furnace - Paymasters Cabin - the old paymaster's office, from when this was a working iron mine and furnace. Mountain Creek is in the park and CV limestoners are over the ridge.
Blue Knob - Twin Fawn House - a large ranch house, a little away from the rest of the park. Can be used as a base for many streams within 45-60 minutes.
Trough Creek - Trough Creek Lodge - TBD - first stay will be later this year. I know a buddy of mine and his son caught some holdover trout in Great Trout Creek this past summer.
Other options we have looked at but not stayed at - Sinnemahoning, Hyner Run, and Laurel Hill (Hufman Lodge and Copper Kettle Lodge - both might end up being extended family vacation getaways some year).
