Cabin camping near Athens, New York offers year-round accommodations in the eastern Catskills region at elevations ranging from 100 to 4,000 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows reaching 20°F. Most cabin locations remain open from May through October, with limited winterized options available during colder months.
What to do
Swimming activities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground has a designated swimming area with lifeguards. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," notes Kurt S.
Stargazing opportunities: Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," shares Seth K.
Hiking access: Trails connect directly to several campgrounds. "Taconic State Park has a beautiful campground. No electric hookups, but plenty of water and tent sites are available with very large platforms. Very short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls," reports Erin B.
What campers like
Hot showers year-round: Even in cooler months, shower facilities remain operational at most locations. "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," according to Perrin M. at Lake Taghkanic.
Riverfront camping: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers creekside sites for water access. "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Super nice being right on the creek—we took our chairs and plopped down in the water," explains Kyla B.
Elevated tent platforms: Several campgrounds provide raised wooden platforms for more comfortable tent camping. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection! The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring," mentions Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic.
What you should know
Weather preparation: Catskills weather can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground," notes Rosie R.
Reservation timing: Most cabins book 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends. Brookside Campground maintains a waiting list for cancelations. "We stayed here for a few days while on a week long trip. During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas," observes David S.
Site selection strategy: Sites vary considerably in quality and privacy. "My advice would be to take the sites on the hill, nearest to the bathrooms, as all these sites seemed to be generally very well maintained," recommends Kurt S. regarding Lake Taghkanic sites.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Brook N Wood Family Campground offers dedicated play areas. "They have a great heated pool that our little one loved. Lots of space to run around and a cute mini golf area," reports Chelsea T.
Animal viewing opportunities: Some campgrounds feature small farm animals for children to observe. "They have animals the kids can go check out. The pool is nice and they offer fun activists for the kids as well," shares Michael A. about Brookside Campground.
Emergency weather protocols: Staff monitor conditions and provide accommodation alternatives when necessary. "We use tents and got a bad storm the owner called and let up bunk in the arcade for the night since she was worried," mentions Michael A.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling. "Our site was shady and long," notes April L. about Copake Camping Resort, formerly Copake KOA.
Seasonal considerations: Treetopia Campground offers premium setups for smaller rigs. "We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air," shares Janly P.
Hookup availability: Water and electric hookups are standard at most locations, but sewer connections vary. "If you have an RV, they have 30/50 amp with electric and water. There is no sewer, but they have a dump-station and on-site Honeywagon truck that you can schedule," explains Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure about Treetopia Campground.