Cabin camping opportunities near Hawthorne, New York typically operate from late spring through early fall, though several offer year-round accommodations. The region sits within the Hudson Valley at elevations ranging from 25-1,200 feet, creating varied camping conditions across different seasons. Winter cabin stays require additional preparation, especially at higher elevation sites where nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Swimming and beach access: Croton Point Park features a swimming area with buoys and lifeguard supervision. One visitor noted, "There is a gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Hiking opportunities: Camp Glen Gray offers numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. According to a camper, "Great Camp!!! One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting."
Special events: Campgrounds near Hawthorne schedule seasonal activities, especially for families. Jellystone Park Gardiner hosts themed weekends throughout their April-November season. A reviewer mentioned, "This campground has a lot of activities but some were repetitive. It looks like Saturdays have the best activities."
Fall festivities: During October, several campgrounds coordinate with local Halloween events. One camper shared, "We came in October to celebrate Halloween in sleepy hollow! This is a great campsite and reasonably priced. Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
What campers like
Privacy levels: The cabin areas at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offer good separation between sites. A camper observed, "Quiet and spacious. No facilities, just a porta-jon, but i think that makes it better. Police patrolled, and dog friendly."
Natural surroundings: Cabins situated at lake properties provide scenic settings. One reviewer at Round Pond Recreation Area wrote, "Beautiful but small-ish tent sites. Lots of great hiking in the area in addition to beautiful Cold Spring, NY for the small-town charm."
Kitchen provisions: Cabin facilities vary significantly by location. Sebago Cabin Camp provides basic cooking equipment. A visitor explained, "Sebago cabins the way to get away and relax enjoy the lake 🎏 you can go hiking they also have movie nights they do big bon 🔥 on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is 👌 with the kids and they have 🔥 wood for purchase on site most cabins have 2rooms with 4cots but some are larger inside has a full fridge and double hot plate."
Accessibility: Several campgrounds featuring cabins near Hawthorne are reachable via public transportation. A reviewer noted about The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, "This campsite is accessible by public transportation. There is a shuttle run by the campsite to and from Tuxedo Park Train Station (reservations on shuttle required)."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Cabin availability at popular locations fills quickly, especially during summer weekends. As one camper at Kettletown State Park explained, "The campsites are varied, you can tent camp, use a camper, or they also have a few cabins you can rent. Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!"
Noise considerations: Sound carries between cabin areas at some locations. A visitor to Croton Point Park noted, "Nice site and a 30-40 minute drive from Western Queens. 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 awareness: Bears and other animals frequent cabin camping areas. One reviewer cautioned, "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night."
Military-only facilities: Some properties restrict access to certain groups. West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area limits cabin rentals to military personnel. A reviewer explained, "Being military-only keeps standards high, the campground clean and well maintained."
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate locations: Choose cabin sites with amenities that match your children's interests. A parent who visited Jellystone Park Gardiner shared, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Bathroom proximity: Select cabins near restroom facilities when camping with young children. One reviewer at Kettletown State Park advised, "Place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!"
First-time experiences: Basic cabin camping provides an ideal introduction for novice campers. One visitor wrote, "I took my 5 year-old-son and wife, all of us first time campers. this place was great. The site was very nice, all the people friendly and area beautiful."
Educational programming: Some locations offer ranger-led activities for children. One camper mentioned, "Ranger Joe is 👌 with the kids and they have 🔥 wood for purchase on site most cabins have 2rooms with 4cots but some are larger."
Tips from RVers
Packing considerations: Determine exactly what each cabin provides before arrival. A camper at Round Pond Recreation Area advised, "No frills but beautiful. Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only."
Bathroom facilities: Shared washrooms vary significantly between properties. A visitor to Croton Point Park reported, "Clean but a bit dated. No shelves or hooks for toiletries. I was surprised the door was left open all night long."
Storage solutions: Plan for limited space in rustic cabins. As one camper noted, "They have rustic cabins. These do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
Meal planning: Kitchen facilities in cabins vary widely. A visitor explained, "They offer a meal plan (Option for breakfast, lunch, dinner) that you can get at their dinning hall and I HIGHLY recommend that option. Worth the added cost."
