Cabins near Highland, New York provide rustic accommodations with direct access to the Hudson River Valley's forested terrain. The region sits at elevations between 100-500 feet, creating varied landscapes from riverside flats to wooded hills. Winter cabin stays require additional preparation with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Waterfront recreation: At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing and boating on the Hudson River. One visitor mentioned, "Kyack [sic], boat access, marina" are all available at the park, making it ideal for water enthusiasts.
Local exploration: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers a central location for regional sightseeing. A camper noted, "The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more," making it a good base for day trips.
Hiking opportunities: Near Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, travelers can access multiple trail networks. According to one reviewer, "We had a couple spots right next to each other on a group trip. There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: At Taconic State Park, the raised platforms receive consistent praise. A camper explained, "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table," making setup easier especially during wet weather.
Swimming options: Multiple Highland area cabins include swimming facilities. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, one visitor reported, "Superb. Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure."
Creek access: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers sites alongside running water. A camper shared, "Our site was on the creek and we went with three little nieces who had a wonderful time," making it especially appealing for cooling off during summer months.
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Highland area cabin sites have differing levels of seclusion. At Jellystone Park™ Gardiner, a reviewer cautioned, "It is a bit more open and campsite can be a bit close to each other. But the place was very clean a friendly."
Bathroom facilities: Quality of restrooms differs between locations. One camper at Taconic State Park noted, "Bathroom facilities are adequate," while another mentioned challenges with facilities elsewhere: "The bathrooms needed updating and people at the tent area made a comment that it took a while to get a turn at the showers."
Seasonal factors: Most cabins near Highland operate on limited schedules. A visitor to Mills Norrie State Park Campground explained, "We stayed one night in late September without a reservation. Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Interlake RV Park & Campground offers family-friendly programming. A reviewer shared, "It was Christmas in July while I was there, with decorations and planned activities to accompany it."
Child-friendly amenities: At Jellystone Park Gardiner, facilities specifically cater to younger guests. According to one camper, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Supply planning: First-time cabin campers should prepare thoroughly. A visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds advised, "First trip to ease my way into camping!! Plenty of space, your car is right there next to you, and the camp store has every essential you could ever need if you left anything at home or are just stopping by!!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully when booking cabins with RV access. A visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground noted, "Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins. Some sites are close together, but there are a few a little more secluded and set back."
Rental options: Some cabin campgrounds offer extra equipment. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, a camper pointed out, "Love it here but renting a golf cart is prob not the best option $175 for 2 days and it only goes 5mph I can walk faster than that."
Off-season advantages: Consider cabin stays during quieter periods. A visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley observed, "Nice, quiet place. Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting."
