Lancaster Cabins, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of log and modern park model cabins, is broadening its portfolio to meet growing demand among campground operators seeking both rustic and contemporary accommodations.
In an exclusive interview with Modern Campground, President and Owner Dan Smucker emphasized that the company continues to prioritize log cabins, its traditional focus, while expanding into modern, high-end park models.
Smucker said that Lancaster Cabins now offers custom-designed park models in a variety of styles, including coastal and Scandinavian.
The company showcased its offerings at the OHI Outdoor Hospitality Conference, displaying a popular cabin park model, the Sierra, alongside a coastal-style modern cabin. Smucker described the choice as an effort to promote the company’s newer product line while maintaining recognition for its traditional log cabins.
“We want people to know that, too,” Smucker said. He noted that the log cabin models continue to represent the core of Lancaster Cabins’ business but highlighted the company’s push into modern designs to address evolving campground demands.
Expanding Beyond Log Cabins: Durability and Longevity at the Core
A defining feature of Lancaster Cabins’ products, Smucker said, is longevity. “A lot of park models out there just aren’t built to last…for us, it’s more about quality materials. It’s more about durability, longevity,” he said.
He added that the cabins are constructed to resemble real log homes, with solid log walls and real wood floors, scaled down and mounted on wheels for mobility.
Smucker credited his background in the log home industry, where he worked with his father, with shaping Lancaster Cabins’ approach. He said the cabins’ rustic aesthetic fits naturally with outdoor hospitality, enhancing the campground experience while withstanding heavy use by renters.
“All solid log wall construction. It’s all real wood floors. It’s all solid pine doors,” Smucker said. He emphasized that each element is designed to endure consistent guest turnover, a common challenge for campground operators.
Balancing durability with guest comfort is central to the company’s design philosophy. Smucker explained that layouts are optimized for functionality within approximately 400 square feet, while still delivering the aesthetic appeal of both traditional log and modern cabin designs.
“Our designs are really focused on fitting a campground rental unit, even more so than retail. Our main focus is to make each model work well for the camper experience,” he explained.
Lancaster Cabins also responds to shifting consumer preferences. Smucker noted a growing demand for higher-end features in both modern and log cabin lines. Lancaster Cabins’ modern cabins, the Scandinavian Sierra Cabin and Coastal Lakeview Cabin, offer a turnkey solution for campground operators and property owners looking to create the perfect getaway experience.
Preassembled on a trailer frame, these cabins are fully finished and ready to occupy or rent immediately, combining the essential amenities of a home with the portability and convenience of a Park Model RV. Their versatility makes them suitable for rental units, vacation cabins, retirement homes, guest houses, and a variety of other applications.
Designed with modern aesthetics and high-quality materials, these cabins provide lasting appeal and long-term resale value. Their construction ensures durability while maintaining mobility, allowing them to be relocated as needed. With their blend of style, functionality, and turn-key readiness, Lancaster Cabins’ modern park models deliver both operational efficiency for owners and an enhanced guest experience.
Campground operators, Smucker said, also report positive outcomes following installation of Lancaster Cabins’ products. Feedback includes increased rental demand and satisfaction from guests drawn to the cabins’ quality construction and rustic appeal.
Overcoming Logistics Challenges for Nationwide Delivery
Delivery logistics present another operational consideration. Smucker described the challenges associated with oversized cabin transport across the United States. “It can be tricky because these are all oversized loads…We have a great company that we work with,” he said, underscoring the importance of reliable logistics in supporting nationwide sales.
Lancaster Cabins’ production capacity is notable. Smucker said the company currently manufactures around 600 cabins per year through a 50,000-square-foot facility that houses a full assembly line. The process includes log profiling, assembly, painting, and interior finishing, culminating in turnkey cabins ready for immediate use.
The production model extends to modern park cabins, which follow a similar staged assembly process from trailer frame to final finishes. Smucker noted that while this line is newer, production efficiency remains a priority, allowing Lancaster Cabins to accommodate both large-scale and smaller orders.
Current sales trends indicate log cabins continue to outsell modern park models, though interest in the modern line is rapidly growing. “The modern cabin is still somewhat newer…But it’s growing pretty quickly here,” Smucker said.
Customization is available for bulk orders. Smucker explained that while smaller orders adhere to standard models, clients purchasing multiple units can request tailored layouts and amenities, ensuring both practical design and maintenance of the cabins’ rustic character.
Sustainability practices are integrated throughout production. Smucker said the company prioritizes efficiency and scrap reduction within its facility, and sources logs from mills committed to sustainable forestry. “They’re replanting trees and making sure that it’s sustainable,” he said.
Lancaster Cabins is undergoing a rebrand to reflect the broader scope of its offerings, transitioning from Langster Log Cabin to Lancaster Cabins. Smucker described the rebrand as part of a strategy to highlight the modern park model line alongside the company’s decades of expertise in log cabin construction.
The company continues to focus on serving campground operators seeking a combination of rustic authenticity and modern amenities. Through durable construction, flexible design, and high production capacity, Lancaster Cabins positions itself as a supplier capable of meeting diverse needs in the evolving outdoor hospitality market.