Cabin camping near Denver, New York offers options in the western Catskill Mountains region, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet creating mild summer temperatures. The area features mixed hardwood forests dominated by maple, oak, and birch trees, with seasonal creek access at many sites. Most cabins remain open from late April through mid-October with limited winter availability.
What to do
Fishing access: Country Roads Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities nearby. According to Tom R., the campground features "beautiful campground... spacious sites" with "super friendly and helpful staff" who can direct visitors to the best fishing spots.
Hiking at nearby trails: Visitors staying at Max V. Shaul State Park Campground appreciate the proximity to natural features. Brian H. notes "there's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose," referring to the popular hiking destination with panoramic views just a short drive away.
Creek exploration: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers direct creek access from many cabin sites. Kyla B. shares that "we were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Pricey--$60 a night. But super nice being right on the creek--we took our chairs and plopped down in the water."
Children's activities: Many cabins are located in campgrounds with organized activities. Holly P. describes Rip Van Winkle as a "fantastic little campground with lots of activities for kids" making it suitable for family cabin stays during summer months.
What campers like
Private wooded settings: Cabin sites at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds receive praise for their natural environment. Kathy G. notes, "Rip Van Winkle is a beautiful campground, it's well run, well maintained, and has a lot to do! I was a little skeptical that we wouldn't get to choose our site, but you can't go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated."
Modern facilities: Crazy Acres Campground at Beaver Spring Lake maintains clean facilities for cabin guests. Wilson W. reports, "Very clean bathrooms and showers. My site had 30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water."
Year-round options: Some cabins remain available outside peak season. Jen C. mentions about Crazy Acres, "Excellent campground. The tone of the place is set when you drive in (although we drove past it). Everyone, staff and campers are friendly respectful even the kids! Grounds are clean, kids were constantly busy and happy."
Quiet atmosphere: Max V. Shaul offers a peaceful setting for cabin campers seeking tranquility. Darby R. states, "I love this little place! No hook ups, but there are water spigots nearby. There is a children's playground and pavilion. Firewood is available to purchase. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Cabin availability fills quickly, especially at Little Lake Campground, which has both permanent and rental sites. Benjamin C. explains it's "about 50/50 permanent sites and rentals. They have lots to do, the owners are very friendly and accommodating, the campground is one of the quietest we've ever stayed at, both at night and in the morning."
Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities operate from late spring through mid-fall. Max V. Shaul State Park Campground runs from "May 19 to October 10" while Country Roads Campground operates from "May 15 to Columbus Day."
Bathroom facilities: Cabin campers should check bathroom access and conditions. Margaret L. notes about Max V. Shaul, "This campground is a secret gem. They have new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms. There's a playground, a pavilion, they do fireside jams."
Site selection: Some campgrounds assign sites while others allow selection. Tom S. mentions about Max V. Shaul, "Great small campground. Lots of space between sites. There is a well traveled road near the park so you get traffic noise. The bath house is clean and modern."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive water features with cabin lodging nearby. Amanda S. explains, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they also have a 3 ft pool. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time."
Activity scheduling: Family cabins often provide access to organized events. Stephanie H. advises about Jellystone, "The campground had a lot of activities but some were repetitive. It looks like Saturdays have the best activities but we were not there on a Saturday."
Tent/cabin combinations: Groups with multiple families can mix accommodation types. William R. mentions about Country Roads Campground, "Mainly an RV ground, but they have about 10-15 great tent sites back beyond the RV area. There are water spigots near all the tent sites and they are nice and spread out."
Age-appropriate options: Different cabin areas often cater to specific age groups. Jennifer I. notes about Jellystone Park, "This campground is great for kids. It has an event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Cabin guests should check site proximity to RV areas. Richard V. appreciates Roscoe Campsites where cabins and RV areas are "Right on the Beaverkill River, it's quiet, clean, gorgeous, brand new cabins and concrete pads. Fisherman's heaven."
Utility hookup access: Some cabin areas share facilities with RV sections. Alex K. reports about Roscoe Campsites, "Clean bathrooms and showers. People working there were more than helpful. Guided us to our site. Helped us set up."
Off-season availability: Shoulder season offers less crowded cabin experiences. Robert M. observed at Crazy Acres, "We are full timers and took our daughter, her boyfriend and our granddaughter for a weekend camping. We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by."
