Cabin camping near McGraw, New York offers options in the Finger Lakes region, located within 30-45 minutes of town. The area sits at approximately 1100 feet elevation with seasonal temperature fluctuations that impact water activities and trail conditions. Most cabins in state parks operate from May through October, though dates vary by location.
What to do
Swimming at natural pools: Fillmore Glen State Park Campground features a natural swimming pool with lifeguards during summer months. "Beautiful little park. Wonderful trails, swimming pool, and activities for kids," notes one visitor. The swimming area is built into the waterfall system, making it a unique feature.
Hiking gorge trails: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground offers multiple hiking options with varying difficulties. "Great flat campground... lots of hiking trails that were along the gorge with water scenic views," reports a camper. The park contains numerous waterfalls accessible via maintained pathways.
Kayaking on lakes: Taughannock Falls State Park Campground provides access to Cayuga Lake for boating. "The campground is very walkable to the swimming area, which goes to 12 feet deep and has a dock to jump off of," mentions one reviewer. Boat rentals are available at many parks for exploring the calm waters.
Winter activities: Bowman Lake State Park remains open for winter activities including cross-country skiing and snowmobiling when cabins are closed. "We camped in July, but were told that the park is opened for winter activities such as xcountry skiing and snow mobiling," explains a visitor.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Chenango Valley State Park Campground offers varied site layouts. "Campsites are in the woods with picnic tables and fire ring, plenty of shade and a good amount of space between camps," shares one camper. Some cabin areas provide more seclusion than others.
Clean facilities: Green Lakes State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "The bathrooms have been remodeled and most are private with a toilet, shower and sink which makes this a wonderful family campground," reports a visitor. These private bathroom stalls are uncommon at many other parks.
Water features: Many cabins are situated near distinctive water features. "The lakes are beautiful with green/blue hue in which the park gets its name," explains a Green Lakes camper. Several parks feature unique swimming areas that differ from standard pools.
Wooded surroundings: Buttermilk Falls State Park cabins sit in forested settings. "The campground is wooded and lovely but the tent sites don't have views of the falls or anything," notes a visitor who appreciated the natural setting despite the lack of direct waterfall views.
What you should know
Water access varies: At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, water sources are strategically placed. "Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, making it easy to prepare meals after a day spent exploring the park's famous Gorge Trail," explains a visitor. Some sites require walking to water spigots.
Seasonal closures: Pool facilities at Taughannock Falls open later in summer. "The campground is very walkable to the swimming area... I stayed at site 42, which was mostly shady," mentions a reviewer who noted the seasonal nature of amenities.
Reservation requirements: Robert Treman fills quickly during peak times. "We thought we were going to go to another park to camp but this one was so nice we ended up staying," shares a camper, highlighting the importance of securing spots in advance.
Noise considerations: Buttermilk Falls experiences some external sounds. "The road noise at night (from rt13 below) and the sound of the bathroom door slamming did not help with getting a good night sleep," notes one visitor about the potential disturbances.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Chenango Valley State Park offers children's facilities. "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house," explains a grandparent who visited with their 5-year-old grandson.
Educational opportunities: Fillmore Glen State Park Campground provides nature learning experiences. "I've been camping at this campground for years... spent most of my life visiting this park in my youth from recreation camps to science classes," shares a longtime visitor, highlighting the educational value.
Multi-generational spaces: Watkins Glen accommodates varied age groups. "The park's facilities blend rustic charm with modern comforts: clean flush toilets, hot-water showers, and convenient potable water stations," notes a visitor who found the facilities appropriate for all ages.
Alternative activities: Green Lakes offers options beyond hiking. "The hiking includes an easy 3.1 mile loop with much shade around two glacier formed turquoise lakes. Just past the swimming area is boat rentals ($7/hr for row boat rental). Golfing is also available on site!" explains a visitor who appreciated the variety.
Tips from RVers
Site selection criteria: At Bowman Lake, site configuration matters. "We had a back in site with a fire pit, picnic table, and no hook ups. It was gravel and not level, but we made it work," shares an RVer, emphasizing the importance of choosing appropriate sites for cabin campers with vehicles.
Hookup availability: Green Lakes provides electrical options. "There are many sites with electric available at every site. There are some sites with full hook-up available and also specific areas that allow pets," explains a visitor who appreciated the utility access.
Road conditions: Campground access roads vary significantly. "The hill you climb to the camp sites is riddled with pot holes," notes a Buttermilk Falls visitor, highlighting the challenges of navigating to some cabin areas.
Site spacing: Watkins Glen has adequate room between sites. "The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," cautions an RVer about navigation challenges despite good spacing.
