Camping cabins near Johnson City, New York provide rustic retreats in the Southern Tier region, where elevations range from 800-1,600 feet and the climate features warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Most cabins operate seasonally from May through October, with several campgrounds offering extended fall seasons for viewing autumn colors. The wooded landscape contains mixed hardwood forests dominated by maple, oak, and hemlock trees.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: Chenango Valley State Park offers a swimming area with a recently renovated beach facility. According to Fred C., "The beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids." The park also features multiple lakes for cooling off during summer months.
Hiking forested trails: Pine Valley RV Park & Campground maintains several paths and trails through wooded areas. Mark L. describes it as a "peaceful setting in Upstate NY" with "lakeside sites" that are "spacious and reasonably priced." The trails range from easy quarter-mile loops to more challenging terrain.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds with cabins offer fishing access directly from the property. At Lakeside Campground, campers enjoy lake fishing from designated areas. David W. notes there's "a nice area to go down to the lake and a swing that you can watch the sunsets on," making it ideal for evening fishing sessions.
What campers like
Seasonal activities: Pine Crest Campground stays open through late fall for those seeking cabin stays during less crowded times. Scott I. reports, "We camped in late November. A few campers. Quiet and we were able to camp on the river." Winter camping options are limited but available at select locations.
Lakefront cabin locations: Many campers prefer water-view cabins for their scenic value. At Pine Valley Recreational Vehicle Park, Kayti D. describes it as "Pretty & Pristine" with "a lake, which is quite scenic, and several paths and trails." Most lakefront cabins require booking 3-6 months in advance.
Family-friendly amenities: Chenango Valley State Park Campground provides cabins near recreational facilities. Mary P. notes, "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house. They have fishing and boat rentals," while Courtney Z. adds you can "rent kayaks and paddle boards and the park is well maintained and monitored by park police, very safe!"
What you should know
Cabin variations between parks: The size and amenities of cabins differ significantly between locations. At Robert H. Treman State Park Campground, cabins are described as rustic buildings with basic amenities. One camper rated them 4 stars, noting, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers."
Bathroom facilities: Many cabins require using communal bathrooms rather than private facilities. Eammon C. at Chenango Valley State Park reports, "The facilities are clean and tidy," while Mary S. notes "Pretty good restrooms/showers" with "Water spigots on the loops and more water at the dump station."
Limited phone service: Cell coverage can be spotty at cabin locations near Johnson City. Amy R. from Pine Cradle Lake notes there is "very very little cell reception and only wifi if you pay for it," adding "We had to put our phones and devices down and just relax."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground offers numerous children's options. Katye M. says, "I chose this campground because the photos of the pool/splash pad looked fun" and "They did activities the weekend we were there (bounce house)." The campground schedules regular weekend events throughout summer.
Playgrounds and recreation: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for different age groups. At Chenango Valley, Kayti D. enjoyed how it was "very family-friendly" with "lots of sites that were separated from each other by small patches of woods, which made it more private. Playgrounds and spaces to ride bikes, swim, picnic, and all-around have fun!"
Swimming safety: Look for campgrounds with monitored swimming areas when traveling with children. According to Mary P., Chenango Valley has a "shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach," while Fred C. confirms "the beach area is well staffed and clean."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for cabin renters: When booking cabin stays at Salt Springs State Park Campground, consider accessibility to facilities. Janet R. explains the layout: "On one side of the parks trout stream are seven secluded primitive hike-in tent sites along with three basic camper cabins." Proximity to bathrooms and water sources varies by location.
Seasonal considerations: Winter cabin rentals require additional preparation. Scott I. at Pine Crest Campground advises, "We were self contained. Which was best since the bath house was closed for the winter." Many cabins lack heating systems and may have limited water access during cold months.
Campground layout: Understanding the arrangement of cabins relative to amenities helps with planning. Amy R. observes, "You will be doing a lot of walking or bring your bicycles," while Kevin R. at Pine Crest notes its location "right next to the river" with an "easy accessible boat ramp" and being "close to good food and many things to do."
