Cabin accommodations around Edwards, New York offer rustic to modern options set in the Adirondack foothills region where elevations range from 800-1,200 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer brings mild 70-80°F days with cooler evenings. The cabin rental season typically runs from early May through mid-October, with many properties closing during harsh winter conditions except those catering to snowmobilers.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Golden Beach Campground provides excellent water access with multiple launch points. "We rented a canoe from Adirondack river rentals and could launch directly from our site," reports one visitor who stayed at waterfront site 86, noting the convenience for paddlers bringing their own equipment.
Hiking trails: Cranberry Lake Campground connects to several trail networks. "The main trailheads were a 2-minute walk from camp, and everything was very well maintained," notes a visitor. For families with children, Bear Mountain offers accessible terrain: "The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6)."
Wildlife viewing: Old Forge Camping Resort provides opportunities to see native wildlife. "We had one or two [bears] in and around our camp site almost every night. Heed the warnings and lock car doors and don't leave coolers or grills out," advises one camper who stayed there. The resort also features "deer [that] are incredibly friendly and will walk right up to you."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Golden Beach Campground features prime lakefront locations with direct water entry. "It's a convenient drive to the nearest store," notes one camper who visited twice in one summer. "The lake is peaceful, the beach is amazing and the local community is generally welcoming to respectable campers," adds another long-term visitor.
Clean facilities: Wellesley Island State Park maintains well-kept amenities despite high visitor numbers. "Everything pretty clean but it's so busy in the summer so I don't fault the caretakers on a few messy stalls," reports one visitor. The park offers "regular camping sites and RV sites, they also have a dog park for the little furry ones."
Location advantages: Kring Point State Park sits on a peninsula with water on both sides. "Great fishing from almost every part of this park. Two beaches to swim," notes one visitor. The park features waterside sites that provide "a quiet and peaceful" experience with "loons calling" according to recent visitors.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Securing cabins near Edwards requires advance planning. At Wellesley Island State Park, "we reserved the site 3 days prior and still found most waterfront campsites already reserved." For Golden Beach, "book early cause they fill up fast."
Site selection: At Cranberry Lake, sites vary considerably in quality and setting. "Try to get a site on the water. Pretty good privacy site to site," advises one visitor. At Golden Beach, site selection is equally important: "you should spend some time with the map. Site 158 is probably the dopest... the further back from the lake, the more of a camping-in-the-deep-woods vibe."
Seasonal considerations: The region has distinct peak periods. For Fish Creek Pond Campground, "during the main season, this place is busy! You'll definitely need to plan ahead and make reservations if you plan to be here during the crazy season." Some visitors recommend late September for "leaf-peeping when the colors and the mountains are just gorgeous."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Fish Creek Pond Campground offers shallow water entry points ideal for children. "The water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water," notes one visitor. "The bottom is sandy with some rocks, good to have water shoes but not essential."
Activities for kids: Cranberry Lake provides structured recreation options. "There is a sand volleyball court and basketball hoop," mentions one reviewer. Old Forge Camping Resort includes "a volleyball court, playground and even a lake to fish or rent paddle boards."
Sleep-away options: Adirondack Mennonite Camping Associates offers traditional cabin experiences with programming. "A classic summer youth sleep-away camp on Beaver Lake. Sleeping in cabins with bunk beds, swimming, canoes, and a high ropes course, gathering around the campfire to end the day- Beaver Camp has it all," according to a visitor who highlighted the camp's family programming.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: At Wellesley Island, "all roads are paved with grass and gravel sites. Large open sites with not much shade but it is the only loop that gets US Verizon service," notes an RVer who stayed in the Heron Loop. Consider site H33 for connectivity.
Utility connections: Swan Bay Resort provides comprehensive hookups for larger rigs. "All of their sites are on slabs, neat and clean hook ups. There is riverviews from just about every site which is nice and then there are sites right on the river," according to one reviewer, who noted the sites "face west, so you do get beautiful sunsets."
Weather considerations: The region can experience significant winds. One camper at Golden Beach observed it was "very windy so be prepared." At Swan Bay, a seasonal camper "mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind. So, don't leave your awning out when you leave your camper."
