Cabin camping near Hartwick, New York offers diverse lodging options in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains at elevations ranging between 1,200-1,800 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most cabin facilities remain open from April through mid-October, with limited winter availability.
What to do
Fishing and boating: Glimmerglass State Park Campground features pristine water access with rental equipment available during summer months. "The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in. Nice beach. Also a place for showers and a bathroom and small place for food and extras things you might need for camping," notes a visitor to Glimmerglass State Park Campground.
Baseball-themed activities: Located just 10-12 minutes from Dreams Park, Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground maintains two baseball fields on property. "Just a well laid out campground that was perfect for us. Peaceful, a mix of wooded sites for RV's and open sites with their cabins. 2 swimming pools, really nice playground for the younger kids, 2 baseball fields," explains one camper.
Hiking trails: Multiple state parks offer marked trails of varying difficulty. "An easy hike to a nearby lake was very pretty. Lots of wildlife, coyotes howling in the distance at night and plenty of deer," reports a visitor who stayed in a cabin at Gilbert Lake State Park.
What campers like
Quiet, rural settings: Most cabin sites provide peaceful environments away from urban noise. "This park is quiet and peaceful in fall, when we visited, but looks to be heavily used in summer due to many amenities including a very large number of camper cabins and a large beach on a large lake with a picturesque setting and large boathouse," notes a reviewer at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "Very well maintained and clean. Went on some hiking trails and swam in Gilbert Lake with my dog," shares a camper.
Wildlife viewing: Cabin locations often feature opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Enjoying our stay here so much! Owners are very sweet and were accommodating when we had to check-in 5 mins late because of traffic. We had a great time and saw deer on our site a few mornings!" writes a visitor to Deer Haven Campground and Cabins.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly, especially during baseball tournaments. "This was our second visit to this camp ground and it is at the top of our list of the best kept and run campgrounds that we have stayed at," reports a visitor about Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground.
Water conditions: Some lakes have seasonal restrictions. "A major problem at this park is the recent development of a toxic algae problem in the lake. Because of algae blooms during warm weather, swimming and fishing in Gilbert Lake are now prohibited," notes one camper.
Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities close by mid-October. "Crazy Acres Campground remains open from April 15 to October 31," according to their official operating calendar.
Cell service variability: Reception varies significantly between properties. "I've been here so many times, camping in tents and also in the cabins. There are a couple different sections to choose from. Cell signal is not great in most places except the sites 'on top of the hill'," explains a frequent visitor to Gilbert Lake State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility options: Some parks offer specialized equipment for visitors with mobility needs. "One plus factor is the handicapped accessibility, there are many paved or accessible trails, and the park office has available a new all-terrain wheelchair that patrons can use to get out into the woods and explore," shares a Gilbert Lake visitor.
Swimming facilities: Multiple pools at certain locations accommodate different age groups. "There is a big lake that is very built up for swimmers and has a playground, water sport rentals and more. There are also volleyball courts and horseshoes. Great place to bring the family!" notes a frequent visitor.
Playground amenities: Crazy Acres Campground at Beaver Spring Lake offers extensive recreational facilities. "Excellent campground. The tone of the place is set when you drive in. Everyone, staff and campers are friendly respectful even the kids! Grounds are clean, kids were constantly busy and happy."
Tips from RVers
Site expansion improvements: Many parks continue to upgrade electrical service. "They're finally adding a bunch of electric sites and have discontinued every other site in the deer run area. This makes the sites very large. There's 30 and 50 amp hookups," explains a visitor to Gilbert Lake.
Tank services: Some campgrounds offer on-site assistance. "When we needed to have our tank cleaned out, we went to the office and within minutes, we had a visitor at our site to take care of things," notes a Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground visitor.
Cooperstown parking strategies: Downtown access requires planning for larger vehicles. "You can't park any vehicle over 20' in Cooperstown, but you can park for free (even a motorhome) in the Yellow Lot and take the Trolley into town for $2.50. Super convenient!" advises a visitor to Cooperstown KOA.
