Cabin camping near City of Rocks National Reserve offers visitors accommodation options at elevations around 5,500 feet, providing cooler temperatures during summer months. The region receives limited precipitation, with most rainfall occurring during spring and early summer. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making seasonal preparation essential for cabin stays during colder months.
What to do
Rock climbing access: Castle Rocks State Park provides excellent climbing alternatives when City of Rocks gets crowded. According to Alan B., "This is a great place to go if there's swarms of climbers at the City of Rocks because of the fee which tends to drive away most dirtbag (endearing term for us) climbers. There are a multitude of fantastic routes there and some good bouldering to be had as well."
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing from cabin accommodations. Layla D. from Castle Rocks State Park shares, "The view was breathtaking! It was such a clear night (and so dark in the campground) that we could see hundreds of stars and fell asleep looking at them. We awoke to a beautiful sunrise over the distant mountains."
Wildlife observation: The area supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities near cabin sites. At Lake Walcott State Park, Carla P. notes, "The deer tend to come in in the early evening hours to enjoy the park too and are not very spooked by people. Just a short distance from the park is the overflow from the low dam where you can see a variety of birds enjoying the water."
What campers like
Off-season solitude: Winter cabin stays offer quieter experiences but require additional planning. Matthew K. reports, "The park is beautiful, and the sites are well-maintained. But we were disappointed to find that all the water and restroom facilities were closed during the winter. Would absolutely recommend the park, and would gladly stay here during the season."
Dark skies: The region's minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions from cabin porches or nearby open areas. Nancy C. emphasizes this aspect: "Also, DARK skies!!! A star gazer's dream."
Site privacy: Many cabin locations offer significant separation between neighboring sites. At Anderson Camp RV Park, Derek F. contrasts his experience with other locations: "Sites are small and very crammed together, no privacy and it is right off the freeway so you hear a lot of traffic depending on your site. I didn't mark it down for this, as it is a style of camping that some people prefer."
What you should know
Limited services: Local businesses maintain restricted hours, particularly on weekends. Kristi R. advises, "Small market in town which makes their own ice cream and has a little restaurant across the street but not much in the way of groceries. Couple other restaurants in town but they were not open while we were there."
Seasonal water availability: Early season cabin stays may find water systems not yet operational. According to Kristi R., "Also water not yet turned on in the campground so bring your own water if you are coming through early in the season."
Remote location preparation: The distance from major highways requires advance planning. Russell B. from Castle Rocks State Park warns, "This campground is 40 miles or so from the interstate so make sure you are well provisioned before you arrive."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple accommodation options: Some locations offer various cabin styles to accommodate different family sizes. Alan B. points out, "There are a multitude of fantastic routes there and some good bouldering to be had as well. Another one of the great things about this park is they have yurt, small house, RV, and tent sites, so no matter how you like to camp they'll be sure to get you into something comfy!"
Insect awareness: Seasonal bug activity can impact outdoor enjoyment around cabin areas. Michelle H. from Lake Walcott State Park shares, "This is not the place for those with Insect phobias. There were non stinging flying insects all up in our face and flying up our nose. We got a few Mosquito bites but nothing above normal for a summer evening—the insects go away if you start a smoky fire."
Water activities: Some cabins provide direct access to water recreation opportunities. Amy K. at Country RV Village notes the variety of amenities available for families: "The place was clean, well kept up and had tons of amenities including flushing toilets, showers, laundry, 2 playgrounds and a pool. Staff were very friendly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: When booking cabins or RV sites, filter for appropriate access and space. Russell B. recommends, "We have bigger RV so some of the spots would not work. Make sure you use the filter to eliminate those with a smaller driveway."
Off-season limitations: Winter cabin stays may find reduced services and facilities. MickandKarla W. highlights some operational quirks: "There were a couple of interesting quirks with this state park. 1) The park's sprinkler watering times were special, with our site getting an hour's worth at 1:00 PM with five rainbird sprinkler heads. 2) As we have seen with COEs, there's a dam between the lake and the river, so when they open or close the floodgates, there's a siren that goes off until the process is completed."
Utilities location: Check the placement of hookups when selecting cabin or RV sites. Kristin S. notes the setup at Smoky Mountain campground: "There are some RV/equestrian sites that have 30/50 amp power and water hookups. There is a dump station on the road to the grounds but it was closed for repairs when we visited."
