Cabin camping near Cincinnatus, New York offers access to several state parks within the Finger Lakes region. The area sits at elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet with humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Most cabins throughout the region remain open from mid-April through mid-October, with parks like Robert H. Treman extending their season through November.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: Taughannock Falls State Park Campground features a swimming area that extends to 12 feet deep with a dock for jumping. "The swimming area goes to 12 feet deep and has a dock to jump off of," notes Barbara S. after her visit.
Waterfall hiking: Fillmore Glen State Park Campground offers stunning trails leading to five waterfalls in a gorge setting. "Beautiful little park with nature on site and lots more to do and explore nearby (wine trails!). Swimming is only allowed in certain parts and there are some pretty steep drop offs so watch the kids close," advises Kim B.
Kayaking on glacial lakes: Green Lakes State Park Campground provides crystal-clear blue-green waters for paddling. "The water is Crystal clear and very blue, you will think you are in the Caribbean Islands. We visit this park very frequently to rent a boat or to hike the trails," shares Kenneth S. Boat rentals typically cost $7-10 per hour.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers at Bowman Lake State Park Campground appreciate the secluded camping layout. "Campground is a maze of campsites through densely wooded forests so it's pretty private and shady even though it's full no matter what season we visited," explains Kim B., who visited with her family.
Clean facilities: At Chenango Valley State Park Campground, modern bathrooms and showers get high marks. "Pretty good restrooms/showers... Water spigots on the loops and more water at the dump station," reports Mary S., who stayed for a night while passing through.
Natural swimming areas: Unique swimming opportunities exist throughout the region. Fred C. shares about Chenango Valley: "The beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids. There are miles of trails to hike and roads to bike."
What you should know
Site locations matter: At Robert H. Treman State Park Campground, site selection can impact your experience. "Site 54 is very large, flat, nonelectric and well shaded with areas of sun. A long walk to the restroom... Old loop has plenty of trees, but sites are much smaller," explains one camper who found the site worked well for exploring the region.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant precipitation, affecting camping conditions. "Other than getting rained out of my site it was great... Our entire campsite was flooded so we just set up our tent on my brothers site with them. Ended up being wonderful and the lake was beautiful," Kelly J. shares about her Bowman Lake experience.
Seasonal limitations: Most park facilities operate seasonally. Taughannock Falls remains open from April 15 to October 16, while Bowman Lake has a shorter season from May 13 to October 9. Winter access varies by park, with some offering cross-country skiing and snowmobiling options.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground offers good family amenities despite basic facilities. "There are a lot of amenities on the actual campgrounds such as fields for playing games or taking a stroll but there are also gorges and waterfalls you can hike to!" explains Carrie J., who visited with her family.
Child-friendly swimming: Multiple parks feature swimming areas specifically designed for children. At Chenango Valley, Mary P. observed, "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house. They have fishing and boat rentals, however the lake is pretty small."
Biking opportunities: Paved roads throughout many parks allow for safe family cycling. Courtney Z. recommends: "Bring your bikes, the swimming is great and the entire swimming/boating area just underwent a major renovation. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards and the park is well maintained."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Taughannock Falls State Park Campground, RVers should check utility configurations. "Check out which side the hookups are on. Some not situated on the right side so you'll need extra long cords," advises Beth, who stayed in a hybrid camper.
Site leveling challenges: Lebanon Reservoir Campground provides spacious but sometimes uneven sites. "Sites are mostly level, but some did slant quite a bit. Hookups are well located and modern," notes Michael O., who appreciated the campground despite this limitation.
Electrical options: Green Lakes State Park provides electric options at every site. Cindy H. reports, "There are many sites with electric available at every site. There are some sites with full hook-up available and also specific areas that allow pets."
