Cabin camping near Lanesville, New York provides access to the eastern Catskill Mountains at elevations between 1,500-3,000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer daytime temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F and winter nights often dropping below freezing. Many cabin sites are situated among hemlock and maple forests with creeks running through properties, particularly along the Plattekill Creek watershed.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Blue Mountain Campground provides access to numerous hiking trails in the eastern Catskills. A camper noted, "This was my first time staying at this campground. I went here with my friend and we were using it 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 and we had perfect weather."
Creek activities: Many cabin sites at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offer direct access to the Plattekill Creek. According to one visitor, "Stayed for a night. We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Pricey--$60 a night. But super nice being right on the creek--we took our chairs and plopped down in the water."
Family recreation: Located within 30 minutes of Lanesville, Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers additional recreation beyond cabin accommodations. One visitor shared, "This campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy and natural settings at cabins in the area. A visitor to Rondout Valley noted, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish. The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more."
Clean facilities: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned in reviews of cabin accommodations near Lanesville. A camper at Mills Norrie State Park Campground stated, "Showers always clean bathrooms also. Group camping sites. Single private sites. R.V. Welcome. Boat access. Marina. Kyack."
Seasonal activities: Cabin campgrounds in the area offer different experiences depending on the season. A fall visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park observed, "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection! The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: When choosing a cabin site near Lanesville, consider terrain and location factors. A camper at Brookside Campground advised, "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas. We stayed here in a travel trailer."
Reservation timing: Peak season for cabin camping in this region runs May through October, with weekends requiring advance booking. A Country Roads Campground visitor shared, "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel."
Weather preparedness: The Catskills area experiences variable weather, particularly during transitional seasons. A camper at Blue Mountain Campground explained, "The campsites are nothing special here, they come with a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill. I used the charcoal grill every night to cook our meals so that worked out perfectly."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: When cabin camping with children in the Lanesville area, seek out campgrounds with scheduled activities. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, a family mentioned, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there."
Swimming options: Several cabin campgrounds near Lanesville offer swimming facilities. A visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds noted, "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities can't wait to go back."
Noise considerations: When booking cabins with children, consider site location relative to common areas. A Jellystone Park camper advised, "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up. The kids were around until about 10:30 or so each night."
Tips from RVers
Site hookups: For those bringing RVs with cabins for extended family, consider electrical needs. A visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds shared, "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite. Loved having gated security."
Cell service: Remote cabin locations may have variable connectivity. The same Rip Van Winkle camper noted, "Cell coverage was good for us to work (att & Verizon). Stayed 8 nights."
Security considerations: When leaving your site for activities, select campgrounds with security features. A visitor mentioned, "My husband went on a work trip (Albany airport isn't too terribly far away) and left me alone for a few days and we left our rig to take the train (about 1 hr away in Poukeepsie) into the city for the weekend and we had no problems."
