Cabin camping options near Glen Cove, New York range from rustic shelters to waterfront cottages with modern conveniences. Located on the north shore of Long Island, the area experiences mild summers with average temperatures around 80°F and cooler spring and fall conditions in the 50-70°F range. Winter camping is limited, with only select locations offering year-round cabin accommodations.
What to do
Beach activities: Wildwood State Park Campground offers direct access to the Long Island Sound shoreline. "This is state park, very large nested on Peninsula on the Hudson River," notes one visitor to Croton Point Park, which features a small private beach open Wednesday through weekend with lifeguards.
Hiking trails: Explore multiple trail networks surrounding cabin locations. At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, visitors report "beautiful trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever." The park offers trails suitable for beginners and more experienced hikers.
Water recreation: Many cabin locations include swimming and boating access. "The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio," shares one camper about Harriman Outdoor Center. Kettletown State Park provides fishing areas though swimming availability depends on water quality testing.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. Croton Point Park has "plenty of bunnies" according to reviews, while deer are common at Heckscher State Park. Bring binoculars for better viewing.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Site layouts vary significantly between parks. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "the sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on," making it suitable for those seeking more seclusion.
Food options: Some cabin locations offer dining services. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provides an optional meal plan where "one highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef." Other locations require self-catering with varying kitchen facilities.
Location convenience: Several cabin options provide accessibility to urban centers. Kettletown State Park is described as "close to our home for a quick getaway" and is within reasonable driving distance of Glen Cove. Croton Point Park has "a train depot right outside," facilitating car-free access options.
Community activities: Some parks organize regular social events. At Sebago Cabin Camp, "there's a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Plan well ahead for peak season stays. Wildwood State Park Campground becomes fully booked quickly, especially for premium sites.
Cabin amenities vary: Sebago cabins are described as "rustic" with one reviewer noting, "there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge. Ignore the hotplate and just cook on a fire or other outdoor setup." Understand exactly what's provided before arrival.
Site boundaries: Some campgrounds have poorly defined site boundaries. Heckscher State Park Campground has "no distinguishing separation between each site nor a designated driveway for your car- you merely pull up on the grass," which can create confusion about where one site ends and another begins.
Vehicle restrictions: Policies on vehicles differ between parks. One camper notes that Wildwood State Park "recently became very stringent about parking two vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly facilities: Kettletown State Park offers family-oriented experiences. "The reason why I said that place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" shares one reviewer.
Playground access: Several locations feature play areas. Heckscher State Park has "a playground just for the campground," while Croton Point Park includes "a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids."
Noise considerations: Be aware of sound levels at different campgrounds. One visitor to Croton Point Park noted: "The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm. Great site for a party, try to stay away from this end of the site or choose a site away from other bookings if you'd like quiet."
Wildlife precautions: Multiple reviewers mention wildlife encounters. At Kettletown State Park Campground, visitors are advised to "watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. Be sure put foods in the car!" Similar precautions apply at most cabin locations.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Electric and water connections vary by site. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Site spacing: RV sections often differ from tent camping areas. At Wildwood State Park Campground, "sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site," which works well for RVs but may disappoint those seeking a more isolated experience.
Dump station access: Several parks offer sanitary dump stations. One RVer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation noted it has a "dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground."
