Cabin rentals near Fonda, New York sit in the southern foothills of the Adirondack Mountains with elevations ranging from 600-1,400 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below zero with summer averages in the 70s-80s°F. The rental season typically runs May through October, with many cabin locations requiring advance booking up to six months ahead for peak summer periods.
What to do
Herkimer diamond mining: 10-mile drive from most cabin accommodations near Fonda. At Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, visitors can search for unique double-terminated quartz crystals. "The diamond mines are very cool also, I found some excellent diamonds!" reports one camper.
Tubing on West Canada Creek: The creek at Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA offers a refreshing summer activity. "Lazy river flow with some faster spots, truly a perfect way to spend the days in the sun, hawks flying overhead and refreshingly cool and shallow water," notes a visitor who enjoyed tubing there.
Hiking Vronan's Nose: A moderate 2.5-mile round trip hike with 500 feet of elevation gain, located near Max V. Shaul State Park Campground. "There's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose," explains one hiker who stayed in a cabin rental.
What campers like
Large campsites: Many cabins in the region offer spacious sites. At Royal Mountain Campsites, "Site was HUGE! Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival!" according to one reviewer who appreciated the unexpected upgrade.
Quiet woodland settings: Cabin locations typically offer peaceful surroundings. One visitor to Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground shared: "We enjoyed our weekend here. Our site was next to the creek and relaxed to the quiet sound of water flowing by."
Affordable firewood: Several cabin locations offer reasonably priced firewood. A Royal Mountain Campsites visitor noted: "We paid for wood and the owner drove it to our site and gave us half a tree for $10!" This makes evening campfires economical for overnight guests.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most cabins near Fonda close during winter months. At Caroga Lake Campground, the season runs "May 19 to September 30" according to their official listing, making advance planning essential.
Bathroom access varies: Some cabin rentals have private facilities while others require using communal bathhouses. A Caroga Lake visitor reported: "The bathrooms and showers were typical of other campgrounds and not overly large however they were cleaned regularly and the water was hot which was great for the end of a long day."
Bug preparation needed: Insect repellent is essential, especially for cabins near water. "We were lucky enough to be the only campers on site that weekend, and had the entire spread by the pond to ourselves... And bring bug spray as it gets buggy near the pond!" advises a camper who stayed at DevilDoc Campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly water features: Several cabin locations offer swimming areas appropriate for different ages. A visitor to Glimmerglass State Park Campground commented: "The beach is great and well kept" and another noted "great for families, the parking lots is huge, there's easy hiking on the grounds."
Playground access: Many cabin locations include play areas. A Max V. Shaul camper noted: "There is a children's playground and pavilion. Firewood is available to purchase. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept."
Biking opportunities: Kids can enjoy biking at several cabin locations. At Crystal Grove, a visitor shared: "Great camp ground for kids with bikes :) nice sized sites. Can get a bit buggy so bring spray."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Most cabin locations offer level sites, but confirmation is recommended when booking. A DevilDoc Campsites visitor noted: "We used his power source so we were near his home and site was level for the travel trailer. Slept great each night!!"
Limited water hookups: Some cabin areas have water restrictions. The same DevilDoc visitor mentioned: "Only con was that they were limited on water so could not dump tanks during our stay, had to travel to another place, a little hassle."
Electrical service variations: Check amperage requirements when booking a cabin site with RV parking. At Glimmerglass State Park, "Very quiet small campground - friendly staff - large spots/mainly bigger setups... Electricity and water available at or near each campsite."
