Camping cabins near Lewis, New York provide access to the eastern Adirondack Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. The area experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 50s, even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Several campgrounds in the region maintain cabins that remain open beyond the typical Memorial Day to Columbus Day season, with varying levels of winterization.
What to do
Hiking from campgrounds: At Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake, trails lead directly to popular mountains. "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground," notes Hannah O. The camp offers "hiking along the river" and serves as a basecamp for those attempting Mount Marcy, as one camper explains: "Would recommend sleeping at the Mt. Marcy dam lean-to's (~2 mile hike in) the night before your hike to beat the crowds."
Swimming spots: Cabin campers can find both natural and developed swimming areas. AuSable Chasm Campground offers proximity to river swimming. "The camp ground is within minutes of Ausable Chasm, which offers great hiking trails and rafting/tubing," reports Heather M. North Beach Campground provides lakeside options where "you're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls."
Winter activities: While most cabins close after Columbus Day, some remain open year-round. Camping cabins near Ray Brook operate through winter months. "The lean to I had was right on the lake and on the edge of the campground," says a winter visitor to Heart Lake, adding "despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous. The bathrooms are really nice and warm, especially during the cold off season."
What campers like
Natural features: Grand Isle State Park Campground receives high ratings for its lakefront settings. "Definitely hike the short nature trail out to Button Bay Point. It's especially lovely in the evening as the sun is setting," suggests a regular visitor. A camper at Rogers Rock mentions: "I was lucky to book a site (#68) on the water. Beautiful views and morning sun. There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline."
Clean facilities: Washhouses at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms were always clean and shower areas had great water pressure," says one reviewer. Another notes the campground's dual layout: "Each section has their own bathhouses, laundry, and game rooms." At Heart Lake, "The bathhouse was actually one of the nicest I've seen in a DEC campsite; it looked like it had recently been rebuilt."
Recreation options: Cabins typically provide access to multiple activities. "The campground on the mountain side has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games," mentions a KOA visitor. Another camper appreciates the diversity: "Multiple different types of sites to accommodate all forms of camping. Family-friendly."
What you should know
Booking requirements: Cabin availability varies significantly by season. "We reserved a full hook up 50a pull through for 3 nights as we toured the northeast," notes a camper about Lake Placid KOA. For waterfront cabins at Button Bay, "Book early for the best sites." Some campgrounds like Meadowbrook Campground have different cabin types with varying features - "We stayed in site 37, which was a bit more private and surrounded by trees."
Temperature fluctuations: Adirondack evenings can be surprisingly cold. "My boyfriend and I braved the 12° nights and pitched a tent," recounts one Heart Lake visitor. Even summer nights often require extra layers. The cabins at Draper's Acres are noted for being "nice tent sites that are separate from RV area and rental cabins" with some providing better weather protection than others.
Road access considerations: Some cabins have challenging access roads. Regarding Heart Lake, one motorcyclist warns: "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires." AuSable Chasm campers note: "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Cabin camping sites often feature specific family amenities. Shelburne Camping Area provides convenient family facilities: "There's ice cream and places to eat within walking distance. We also forgot lunch for our hike the next day and were able to walk to a convenience store to grab supplies." At AuSable Chasm, families appreciate the "Large and nice-looking playground, pool, volleyball net, disc golf and mountain biking/hiking trails."
Educational programs: Several cabin locations offer structured activities for children. At Grand Isle, "a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs" enhances family visits. Button Bay features "a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!"
Cabin selection for families: Cabin layout and location significantly impact family comfort. Lake Placid KOA has "two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section." A family recommends: "We stayed in site #73 of the 100-Acre section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other. This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers recommend researching specific cabin site numbers. At Meadowbrook, "The sites in the center of the loop are more open; if I had a larger rig, I'd stick to that area. Some areas get a little tight and the website doesn't provide vehicle length information." Another camper suggests: "Our site had the standard DEC picnic table and fire pit. There are showers, toilets, and water spigots."
Seasonal considerations: Cabins have varying seasonal availability and amenities. North Beach Campground operates "May 1 - Oct 15" while Button Bay runs "Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend." RVers note Shelburne Camping Area operates "All year" with utilities that continue through winter.
Utility details: For cabins with hookups, check specific utility information. "We had a full hookup, pull through site surrounded by trees. There was some road noise during the day but it was nice and quiet at night," reports an RVer at Draper's Acres. Another mentions Meadowbrook's limitations: "The amenities list is incorrect. There are no hookups, electric or water. There is wood for sale when the office is open, a dump station and it has showers."
