Cabin camping near Ellenville, New York sits within the Shawangunk Mountain region at elevations between 400-1,300 feet. The area experiences mild summers with average highs around 80°F and cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter accommodations available.
What to do
Paddle on site lakes: At Little Pond Campground, visitors can bring their own watercraft or rent on-site. "We enjoyed our site that was right along the water. The kids had fun finding Crayfish," notes Kasey M. about the creek at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Visit nearby attractions: The campgrounds provide access to several noteworthy destinations. "The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more," explains Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. From Newburgh KOA, "it's about a half hours drive to a metro north station if you wanted to take a train South. Not far from SUNY New Paltz, local wineries and apple orchards."
Rock climbing access: The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground serves as an ideal base for rock climbers. "Located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area," says Jackie B. about this specialized campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots away from neighboring campers. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, "We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at site 58 on Loop C. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy, but some of the other sites were literally next to the road," reports Katherine P.
Clean facilities: Campground bathrooms receive consistent positive feedback from visitors. At Kenneth L Wilson, "The bathrooms were very clean and new and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!" according to Melanie H.
Evening entertainment: Campers appreciate organized activities and natural features for nighttime enjoyment. At Winding Hills Park, "The workers drive around the campsite every few hours and each time we have been there the local police have made their presence known," notes Amanda B., providing a sense of security.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds operate differently regarding booking policies. At Winding Hills Park, "Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season; Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Must book the entire holiday weekend 3 days ($90 for non-electric sites add $5 each day for electric)," explains Amanda B.
Varying site quality: Not all spots within the same campground offer equal experiences. April L. advises about New York City North-Newburgh KOA, "Some sites are hard to get into and others are in more of a large parking lot... be cautious of the 'R' and 'S' sites... it's just a large gravel parking area with little to no shade."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, visitors report "no cell service in the campground," while at Winding Hills Park, "we had horrible cell service (we have Sprint). Could not make calls or use internet at campgrounds or the park but did see others who were using cellphones."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Several campgrounds offer water features specifically designed for children. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also," shares Amanda S.
Playground accessibility: Check proximity to play areas when booking. At Newburgh KOA, the "Playground has a volleyball net and other Normal playground equipment," while Amanda B. notes that at Winding Hills Park, "We found the sites closer to the Playground side/closer to the bathrooms to be more noisy."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular entertainment for children. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," according to Jennifer I.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary across campgrounds. At Woodland Valley Campground, visitors appreciate "free hot showers" and utility access, though options may be limited during peak seasons.
Dump station access: RVers should note varying waste disposal options. Robert M. explains at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, there are "Dump stations if need and a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
Site leveling concerns: Some areas require additional setup work. At Newburgh KOA, one camper noted "a real mixed bag- the rv/trailer only section is really nice, wooded. Has a classic campground feel. The other tent/cabin side was loud and not private."
