Cabin options near Elka Park range from rustic one-room units to fully equipped cottages with various amenities. The eastern Catskills sit at elevations between 1,500-4,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with cool summer evenings even when daytime temperatures climb. Most cabin rentals in this region require minimum 2-night stays during peak seasons from June through early October.
What to do
Creek activities: At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, visitors can enjoy wading and relaxation along Plattekill Creek. "The creek on the property is great, the pond is fun to fish in, the RC track is great for those who are into it," notes one camper. Many visitors bring chairs to sit directly in the shallow sections during summer months.
Hiking trails: The eastern Catskills offer numerous trail options within 15-20 minutes of most cabin sites. "We used it as our base camp as we went out in trails in the eastern Catskills notably the Devils Path, echo lake, etc. Its proximity to those trail heads was great," reports a visitor at Blue Mountain Campground.
Boating options: Several campgrounds provide water access for various craft. Lake Taghkanic State Park allows paddleboards and kayaks for a $15 usage fee. "Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny. The lake is beautiful and clean," according to a recent visitor.
What campers like
Shower facilities: Many campers appreciate clean shower access after outdoor activities. At Blue Mountain Campground, "They have private bathroom/showers which was a really nice luxury. As someone who typically goes backpacking it was nice to go hiking, shower, cook, and then relax by the fire."
Cabin privacy levels: Site separation varies between properties, with some offering more seclusion than others. "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," reports one cabin visitor.
Property maintenance: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground receives consistent praise for upkeep and cleanliness. "This campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most cabin rental options close by mid-October. "Most campgrounds operate seasonally from late April through mid-October, with limited winter availability across the region," notes one local source. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground specifically operates "May 6 to October 15."
Booking requirements: Brookside Campground and similar facilities require advance planning. "We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available," mentions one visitor. Many properties require deposits and have cancellation policies that become stricter as arrival dates approach.
Facility variations: Bathroom and shower access differs significantly between properties. "Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers," notes one camper at Mills Norrie State Park. Another visitor observed "One shower location for 50 campsites. Three small shower units and three toilet."
Tips for camping with families
Kids' activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family programming. "This place is great for kids or diverse groups that all want to do different things. It's very family themed and fun for everyone. However, it can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go," advises one visitor.
Space considerations: For families needing room to spread out, some properties offer larger sites. "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities," notes a Rip Van Winkle visitor.
Essential supplies: New cabin campers should verify what's provided. "First trip to ease my way into camping!! Plenty of space, your car is right there next to you, and the camp store has every essential you could ever need if you left anything at home or are just stopping by!!" reports a first-time camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers insights about choosing optimal locations. "The only problem I had was that my Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam. Oh yea, the sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low."
Utility connections: RV sites with cabin options typically provide various hookup configurations. "We had one and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee. Clean restrooms, showers and laundry. Dump stations if need and a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
Wi-Fi considerations: Internet connectivity varies widely between properties. Some cabin areas have better coverage than tent sections. "Cell coverage was good for us to work (att & Verizon)," reports one long-term camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds who stayed for eight nights.
