Cabin accommodations near Averill Park, New York range from rustic platforms to fully furnished units with varying amenities. The mountainous terrain of the Taconic Range influences local camping conditions, with elevations reaching 2,000 feet in nearby areas. Most Averill Park region cabins operate seasonally from May through mid-October due to harsh winter conditions in New York's Capital District.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Copake Falls Area offers direct trail access to Bash Bish Falls. "There's a short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls," notes one visitor to Copake Falls Area.
Kayaking on mountain lakes: Woodford State Park provides access to a pristine mountain pond. A recent visitor mentioned: "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We had no issues with noise from other campers." This park allows dogs at designated camper's beach areas, unlike the day-use sections.
Winter activities: While most cabin rentals close by October, some campgrounds offer winter access. Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground cabins remain available in colder months. "This campground provides a nice base if you're in the area for a while and want to explore North Adams, Mt. Greylock, or rafting/tubing out of Charlemont. Each of these places is 20-45 minutes away."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain meticulous bathroom facilities. At Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites, "Bath house is definitely the cleanest I've ever seen. Looks like it's recently done! Wow!! The cabin I stayed in was awesome...could have stayed for a week and next year I plan to do just that!!"
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently spot local fauna. October Mountain provides opportunities to see native wildlife. "We had several species of frogs and toads wandering about in the evening, giant millipedes were plenty, and even found a newt on our hike."
Lake swimming: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. Clarksburg State Park Campground provides both lake access and hiking trails. "The pond and the hiking trail around it are beautiful. We'll definitely return! My only complaint is that Massachusetts charges out-of-state residents 3x as much to camp."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell reception is minimal at most cabin locations. At Woodford State Park Campground, "No cell coverage here. Head toward Florida, MA on Rt 2 and at the height of land (shortly before you reach the Elk monument), you'll have good coverage."
Bear safety: Several campgrounds provide bear boxes. "Bear boxes are provided at each site as this is black Bear country." Always store food properly and follow campground guidelines regarding wildlife.
Reservation timing: Most cabins require advance booking. "First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed," notes one camper at October Mountain State Forest. Holiday weekends often book months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools for children. Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run provides water attractions. "Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions. Our site was large and shaded." This resort offers cabin accommodations with activities targeted toward families.
Platform tent sites: For families transitioning to cabin camping, platform tents provide an intermediate option. Copake Falls Area offers elevated platforms. "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table."
Ranger programs: Educational activities enhance family visits. "Rangers provided programming for kids and families on the weekends," reports a visitor to Clarksburg State Park. These programs typically run Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many cabin and RV sites require leveling equipment. At Dingman's Family Campground, sites vary significantly in terrain. "The sites are not very private and there is a very large area that are open sites with no natural dividers."
Bathroom accessibility: Cabin locations relative to bathrooms affects convenience. "Bathrooms at a distance for most sites. They could use some updating but served their purpose," notes one camper at Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground. Some cabins require walking up to 5 minutes to reach facilities.
Generator restrictions: Most cabin camping areas restrict generator use. "With that hill there's no place for larger RVs here unless they were to decide to use the field at the bottom," notes one Privacy Campground visitor regarding the site topography limitations.
