Cabin accommodations near Lisle, New York provide access to the glacial landscape of Central New York's Southern Tier region, with elevations ranging from 900-1,500 feet. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing from December through March, with summer averages in the 70s-80s°F. Most cabin facilities close from late October through mid-May due to seasonal weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking gorge trails: At Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground, trails accommodate various skill levels. "Been here in all the seasons, each is beautiful. Campgrounds are wooded. Pretty basic facilities, nice though. None of the tent sites have exceptional views but you're a short walk from the creek/gorges," notes Harry H.
Swimming in natural features: Fillmore Glen State Park Campground offers a unique swimming experience. "Bathrooms are very clean and close to all campsites. Kids loved the park and swimming in the waterfall beach," writes Charyssa G. The park features a natural swimming pool with lifeguard supervision.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Several parks near Lisle offer water recreation options. A visitor to Taughannock Falls State Park explains, "The campground is very walkable to the swimming area, which goes to 12 feet deep and has a dock to jump off of." At Chenango Valley, a reviewer mentioned, "You can rent kayaks and paddle boards and the park is well maintained and monitored by park police, very safe!"
What campers like
Varied camping loops: At Chenango Valley State Park Campground, site selection matters. "Sites in the Chipmunk Camping Area - Parking pads in the non-electric section are dirt/grass. Some of the pads are short; this section is geared toward tent campers," notes Mary S. She adds, "We usually prefer sites on the outer part of a loop, and this was no exception. The sites have more trees."
Family amenities: Watkins Glen State Park Campground caters to families with children. Lindsay C. reports, "There is a huge new playground for the kids and lots of area to walk around the loops if you don't want to hike the gorge trail. The campsites are great and are all tree lined giving to a bit of privacy. As much as you get in campgrounds."
Privacy levels: Cabin accommodations vary in seclusion. At Round Top Retreat, a visitor shared, "Very secluded. We let the kids and dogs run pretty much wherever without worry. And close to Ithaca so you can drive into town easily." Bowman Lake State Park offers similar qualities: "This campsite was beautiful. It was very secluded and in the woods, right next to the lake as well."
What you should know
Shower facilities: Bathroom quality varies between parks. At Robert H. Treman State Park Campground, Emma N. explains, "The bathrooms were clean, with multiple free, hot showers. I believe there were separate dishwashing sinks inside the restrooms." Meanwhile at Fillmore Glen, facilities are "modern, kept very clean, and the showers are awesome."
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna may interact with campsites. Mary S. warns about Chenango Valley: "Beware of raccoons. They are brazen thieves here...and every campground they inhabit. Just don't leave your food out. The park brochure warns of the occasional bear but that's true even in towns all over NY. I doubt you'll see one."
Maintenance conditions: Site quality can fluctuate seasonally. One reviewer at Bowman Lake noted in 2020, "New York State pretty much has abandoned this park. Trees fallen down across the sites. Might be ok for a tent but that's all." However, more recent reviews from 2023 indicate improved conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Plan for rainy conditions: Near-Lisle cabins offer refuge during inclement weather. Mary P. from Chenango Valley shares, "I had my 5 year old grandson with me and he loved it but I did have to cut it short when we got rained out." Waterproof gear is essential, as are backup indoor activities.
Wildlife education opportunities: Bowman Lake State Park Campground provides natural exploration. According to Oleńka S., "We had a lot of tree cover so we didn't even need our air conditioning on during an 85 degree day. There are a lot of mosquitoes, but with some bug spray and a couple thermacell mosquito repellents, we were comfortable the whole time."
Swimming safety measures: Parks with swimming areas maintain different standards. At Fillmore Glen, a reviewer notes, "Swimming is only allowed in certain parts and there are some pretty steep drop offs so watch the kids close." Watkins Glen offers alternatives: "The beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Pine Valley RV Park & Campground offers RV-friendly spaces. Mark L. notes, "Lakeside sites are spacious and reasonably priced. The owners are always accessible." Meanwhile at Robert Treman, an RVer cautions, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers."
Loop navigation: Larger RVs face tight quarters in some parks. Laura L. explains about Watkins Glen: "We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves." Selecting appropriate loops is crucial for larger vehicles.
Hook-up considerations: At Taughannock Falls, a visitor advises, "Check out which side the hookups are on. Some not situated on the right side so you'll need extra long cords." This detail is particularly important for cabin campers bringing RVs to adjacent sites.
