Cabin camping near Elizabethtown, New York provides access to both the High Peaks and Lake Champlain regions of the Adirondacks. Located at an elevation of approximately 700 feet, Elizabethtown serves as a central base between mountainous terrain to the west and lake access points to the east. Winter cabin rentals typically need to be booked 3-4 months in advance, especially for properties with heating systems suitable for temperatures that regularly drop below 0Ā°F.
What to do
Hike from your campsite: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers immediate trail access to multiple peaks. "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground," explains Hannah O., noting the convenience of not needing transportation to trailheads.
Water activities on Lake Champlain: Button Bay State Park Campground provides water-based recreation options. "Easy access to the lake," reports Clay A., who appreciated that this campground is "on the shore of Lake Champlain" with "beautiful sunset overlooking the lake."
Swimming options beyond lakes: When weather turns hot, many cabin campers appreciate pool access. "Nice pool. No hookups but have a dump station," notes Barbara Y. about Button Bay, while Rogers Rock offers "a beach for swimming" with lifeguards on duty during peak season.
Explore local history: Rogers Rock Campground serves as a convenient base for historical sites. "Ticonderoga offers some history and is worth a half-day visit," suggests Jean C., mentioning that "Lake Champlain isn't far away, either" for combined outdoor/cultural excursions.
What campers like
Bathroom quality: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake receives consistent praise for facilities. "The bathrooms are really nice and warm, especially during the cold off season," reports Kayla M., while Tigan W. was "absolutely impressed with the restrooms, dishwashing station, and beach area."
Quiet camping areas: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers peaceful settings even when busy. "Despite rather high density of sites they are well designed and the campground is quiet and dark at night for good rest!" notes Tigan W., important for those seeking cabin stays with minimal noise.
Site spacing and layout: Tent sites near cabins vary significantly in privacy levels. "The first is where you'll find the lean-tos and the dog trail/beach. This area is super quiet, offers a bit of shade, and plenty of privacy," explains Tara S. about Button Bay, contrasting with "the main camping area [which] is essentially a huge field."
Camp store access: Many cabin-centric campgrounds maintain on-site supplies. "They have a small store and rec room for kids," notes Susan S. about AuSable Chasm Campground, while mentioning "The Chasm has their own store and cafe" nearby for expanded options.
What you should know
Winter cabin availability: Unlike most campgrounds in the region, some facilities operate year-round. "We visited in late March when there was still a decent amount of snow on the site. Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous," reports Kayla M. about Wilderness Campground.
Road conditions: Access to some rustic cabin sites involves challenging roads. "Beware of the roads coming in. 40MPH is too fast for these torn up roads," warns Laura Nicole A. about routes to wilderness cabins, while Max adds "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires."
Shower reliability varies: Draper's Acres receives mixed feedback on facilities. "The showers are a bit gross, but free," reports Natalie N., while Brett N. notes some cabins have "Both bath houses were adequate, even containing shampoo and body wash."
Booking timelines: Waterfront cabin sites require extensive advance planning. "Book early for the best sites," advises IAN P. about waterfront locations at Button Bay, which feature "wide [sites] so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers specialized children's amenities. "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!! We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us!" shares Gayle S., highlighting activities beyond standard playground equipment.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds maintain play areas near cabin clusters. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool!" shares Debbie S. about Button Bay, while Susan S. notes AuSable Chasm has "a small store and rec room for kids."
Pet-friendly options: Several cabin sites accommodate family dogs. "Husband and I took a trip with all 3 pups and I couldn't even tell you who had more fun!! The doggos and husband absolutely loved being able to walk the beautiful trail in the cooler weather, especially the husky," describes Krys M. about Spacious Skies.
Nature programs: Educational opportunities exist at select locations. Alex & Lauren K. note Wilderness Campground offers "Wi-Fi at the Loj and meals are served" with programming during summer months, though "we believe these are for Loj guests only."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: North Beach Campground offers flexibility for different unit sizes. "This has been one of our favorite campsites so far. We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups," explains Laura L., highlighting the convenience of amenities near cabin areas.
Parking considerations: Some cabin areas restrict vehicle access. Jennifer O. notes at Draper's Acres, "We had a full hookup, pull through site surrounded by trees" but cautions about limited parking at cabin sites, while Brett N. reports their site "was large enough for two double tents, a hammock, and if needed, two cars."
Seasonal closures: Many water systems shut down during colder months. Rogers Rock cabins operate seasonally "May 19 to October 9" according to their listing, with Jean C. noting the campground is "a boater's paradise" during operational months but closes entirely in winter.
Power reliability: Electrical service varies significantly between properties. Brett N. notes about Draper's Acres, "Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table" but found that sites with cabins typically offer more reliable electrical service than tent sites with shared hookups.
