Cabins near Hensonville, New York range from economical to upscale accommodations nestled in the Catskill Mountain region at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet. Winter cabin rentals remain available at select locations like Blue Mountain Campground, which operates year-round despite seasonal closures at other properties. Most Catskill cabin rentals experience high demand during fall foliage season from late September through October.
What to do
Mountain hiking trails: Access popular Catskill hiking destinations within 15-30 minutes of most cabin accommodations. "Plenty of trails nearby!" notes a visitor to Blue Mountain Reservation, while another camper mentions using the area as "our base camp as we went out in trails in the eastern Catskills notably the Devils Path, echo lake, etc. It's proximity to those trail heads was great."
Fishing spots: Catch trout and bass in nearby streams and lakes. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "the pond is fun to fish in" according to one reviewer, who also notes that "the creek on the property (Plattekill) is great."
Farm visits: Explore local agricultural operations near cabin rentals. Brookside Campground features "a small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese," making it a unique attraction for visitors staying in their cabins.
Water recreation: Cool off in natural swimming areas during summer months. A Rip Van Winkle visitor explains how they "took our chairs and plopped down in the water" at the creek that runs through the property, creating a simple but enjoyable water experience.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many cabin rentals offer good separation between units. "All facilities are clean. Great hiking. Amazing staff. All around great place," notes one Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds reviewer, while at Country Roads Campground, "Spacious sites. Super friendly and helpful staff" was highlighted in visitor feedback.
Clean bathroom facilities: Updated restrooms and shower houses receive consistent praise. At Max V. Shaul State Park, "The bath house is clean and modern" according to recent visitors, with another noting it has "the cleanest facilities ever!" This matters for cabin guests using shared facilities.
Woodsy surroundings: Cabins typically feature forest settings with mountain views. "They have RV sites, yurts, custom furnished treehouses with electricity, beautiful tiny homes with outdoor living spaces, completely remodeled vintage airstreams, and gorgeous private cabins!" explains a visitor to Treetopia Campground, who adds that "Every unit was more beautiful and comfortable than the next. The backdrop for the campground is the wonderful Catskill Mountains."
Recreational amenities: Many cabin rental properties include pools, playgrounds, and group facilities. Country Roads Campground offers "special events in a pavilion" including bingo nights, while Blue Mountain Campground provides "a playground and pool basketball court, game room and snacks."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most cabin rentals close between October and May. Max V. Shaul State Park operates from "May 19 to October 10" according to their listing information, which is typical for the region.
Reservation requirements: Book cabins 3-6 months in advance for summer and fall weekends. "Booking online can be a bit confusing, I had to call for explanation," mentions one Rip Van Winkle visitor, indicating the importance of verifying reservation details.
Varying cabin amenities: Facilities differ significantly between basic and deluxe options. "We stayed in The Pines section. Spacious sites," notes a Country Roads Campground visitor, while Treetopia receives praise for bathrooms that "are out of this world! Best of any campground we've ever visited!"
Site terrain considerations: Some properties have uneven or rocky ground. One Blue Mountain Campground reviewer cautions that "The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent," which may impact accessibility for some visitors.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many cabin rentals offer planned recreation programs. "Fantastic little campground with lots of activities for kids," notes a Rip Van Winkle reviewer, while another mentions it's "a great campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities."
Playground access: Most family-oriented properties include play areas. At Max V. Shaul State Park, "There is a children's playground and pavilion" according to visitors, making it suitable for families with young children.
Noise considerations: Check quiet hours and location of cabins relative to common areas. "The bathrooms and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean," notes one Brookside visitor, showing attention to facility quality important for family stays.
Wildlife awareness: Small animals may be present near cabins. "Be sure to put your tent on the woodchips and not the leaves, otherwise you will have chipmunks running under your heads," advises a Rip Van Winkle visitor who camped with "three little nieces who had a wonderful time."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Some cabin properties also accommodate RVs with services. At Brookside Campground, "we ended up at this campground because the family we were traveling with needed to accommodate their 50 foot camper," showing it handles large rigs, while Treetopia Campground offers "30/50 amp with electric and water. There is no sewer, but they have a dump-station and on-site Honeywagon truck that you can schedule."
Winter access: Limited year-round options exist for cabins and RV sites. Blue Mountain Campground operates "All year" according to its listing information, making it one of the few options for winter visitors.
Site spacing: RV sites at some properties offer more privacy than others. A visitor to Treetopia recommends "the deck sites to people small to moderate sized RVs and for large rigs they have some big sites," showing the property accommodates different vehicle sizes.
Security features: Some cabin and RV properties offer enhanced safety measures. At Rip Van Winkle, a reviewer "loved having gated security" explaining, "My husband went on a work trip and left me alone for a few days and we left our rig to take the train into the city for the weekend and we had no problems."
