Cabin camping near Bellvale, New York offers varied rustic accommodations in the Hudson Highlands region, where elevations range from 900 to 1,400 feet above sea level. The seasonal climate features warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cool autumn nights often dropping to 40-45°F. Winter camping options exist but are limited to certain facilities with heated cabins.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access the Appalachian Trail directly from several campgrounds in Stokes State Forest. "Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever," notes a camper at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center. The area includes multiple trail difficulty levels across 63 miles of marked paths.
Swimming options: Cool off during summer at multiple lakes throughout the region. At High Point State Park Campground, a visitor shared, "I spent two nights camping with my niece and this campground was perfect... We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake."
Wildlife viewing: Morning mist rises off lakes and ponds, creating opportunities for nature observation. "The lake was beautiful in the morning with mist or steam," reported a visitor to High Point State Park. Several campgrounds feature resident wildlife, including beavers that can be watched from dining areas.
What campers like
Mountain views: Several cabin accommodations provide elevated views of the surrounding landscape. At Moon Valley Campground, a reviewer described it as "a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking, cruising etc."
Accessibility from NYC: Many cabin facilities are within reasonable driving distance from metropolitan areas. "This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see," notes a camper from Sebago Cabin Camp. Another camper appreciated the "Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING."
Meal options: Some facilities offer food service for those who prefer not to cook. "One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef," mentioned a visitor at the Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center. "The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio."
What you should know
Cabin facilities vary widely: Most basic cabins have minimal amenities. A visitor at High Point notes the sites "have a tent platform" and include a "composting outhouse toilet just for the site." Cabin platforms at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation are "12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt."
Seasonality considerations: Many facilities have limited operating seasons. "Stayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping," explains a High Point State Park visitor. Some park amenities like showers have restricted hours, typically 10 AM to 5:30 PM.
Bear safety protocols: The region has an active black bear population requiring proper food storage. "This is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," warns a Stokes State Forest reviewer. Some campgrounds provide bear-proof garbage containers while others require campers to bring appropriate storage equipment.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Children often enjoy interacting with farm animals at certain campgrounds. A visitor at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort shared, "Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony). There were some organized activities which was nice." Another camper mentioned, "My daughter loved the horses and goats."
Weekend activities: Some parks organize special events for children. "Sebago has a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too," reports a Sebago Cabin Camp visitor.
Bathroom facilities: Washroom access and quality varies significantly between locations. A camper at Stokes State Forest described, "Clean-ish bathrooms with flush toilets, no sinks, no showers, with that awful outhouse smell. Bringing your own toilet paper is a good idea as the park didn't replace it enough and it ran out."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for level areas that accommodate your vehicle size. At Pleasant Acres Farm, "Large levelled spaces but a little muddy. Good for a quiet, relaxing weekend," notes one camper. However, another visitor cautioned, "When you leave you have to drive the wrong way in the campground because of the low hanging trees the correct direction."
Water connections: Water hookup distances vary significantly between sites. At Mahlon Dickerson, a visitor shared, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Amenity access: Some facilities require driving between different amenities. "The trash situation was the worst. Most campsites have a service, they tell you to leave it at a specific location by a certain time or they have many garbage cans throughout. This place had their garbage and recycling very far away," reported a visitor to Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort.
