Best Cabin Camping near Melville, NY

Beachfront cottages at Heckscher State Park offer fully furnished lodging with complete kitchens, walk-in showers, and propane fireplaces. Accommodations include twin and full beds, living areas with couches and chairs, and screened porches with bar-height tables. Each cottage features outdoor amenities including fire rings with Adirondack chairs and exterior showers. The cabins provide WiFi access, storage space, and modern appliances including coffee makers, microwaves, and toasters. "Modern facility with full kitchen accessories (coffee maker, plates, wine opener, can opener, silverware, pots, pans, cooking utensils, toaster, oven), sponge/dish liquid. Microwave. Clean interior, clean campground."

Rustic and deluxe cabins are available throughout the Melville region, with options ranging from waterfront properties to wooded settings. Watch Hill Fire Island National Seashore offers cabin accommodations accessible via ferry, providing a secluded beach experience. Wildwood State Park Campground features cabin rentals with water, electric, and sewer hookups near the Long Island Sound. Many locations require advance booking, particularly for summer weekends. A recent review noted, "The cabins look amazing, all booked, you gotta book a year in advance." Most properties maintain pet policies, with Heckscher State Park and Wildwood State Park allowing pets in designated cabin areas.

Visitors should verify what supplies are included with each cabin rental. While Heckscher's beachfront cottages provide kitchen equipment and furniture, bedding, food, drinks, and personal items must be brought by guests. The Collective Governors Island includes market access for supplies, though selection may be limited. Many cabin properties include picnic tables and outdoor cooking options, though fire policies vary by location. According to one camper, Heckscher State Park cottages are "a bit pricey" but ideal for those who want a comfortable outdoor experience while still enjoying campfires and nature access.

Best Cabin Sites Near Melville, New York (11)

    1. Heckscher State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Great River, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 581-2100

    $20 / night

    "This was a last-minute booking for us and we were delighted with the beachside cottage, with enough amenities that mom and dad did not worry we had their cutie with us for "camping"."

    "Overall my experience was positive. Camping Sites

    Each camping site has a picnic table and barbeque grill."

    2. Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore

    7 Reviews
    Bayport, NY
    23 miles
    +1 (631) 597-6074

    "You are not quite roughing it as there are showers and running water at the Watchhill campground. Reservations highly recommended!"

    "Camping gets you away from the bustle. It is a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock and located behind the dunes which offer some protection. Take a quick walk down to the beach."

    3. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $250 / night

    "Well , one of the best sites , big enough, some have platform, clean bathrooms,many showers ."

    "Big Park 3 minute walk to the Long Island Sound. Have to rent a fire pit, so that is kind of lame. However Big restrooms with free luke warm showers, so that is kind of good."

    4. Collective Governors Island

    6 Reviews
    Jersey City, NJ
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 445-2033

    $529 - $1200 / night

    "The article also mentions the benefits of camping on Governor Island, such as feeling close to nature, relaxing and enjoying a peaceful space, away from the noise of the city."

    5. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."

    "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."

    6. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Kettletown State Park isn't just for camping. There are also hiking trails , a fishing area and a swimming hole, but the week I was there there was a high bacteria count, so no swimming was allowed."

    "Stayed in a cabin on the lower loop. Went hiking all day. Kinda close together sites, but the trails make up for it."

    7. Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025

    4 Reviews
    Bayonne, NJ
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (718) 354-4655

    $30 / night

    "You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."

    "this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"

    9. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 523-0636

    "They offer cabins and campsites.  We spent 4 nights in the campsite area and this is a first class facility.  Very clean. "

    "Beautiful lakes all over the place. The AMC camp in Harriman is fantastic too! Those are reserved and paid cabins and platforms."

    10. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Sloatsburg, NY
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 429-2039

    $130 / night

    "They have rustic cabins. Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."

    "Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. The cabins are "rustic" - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge."

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Cabin Reviews near Melville, NY

81 Reviews of 11 Melville Campgrounds


  • W L.
    Jan. 8, 2022

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    Great Late Fall Weekend Cabin

    This was a last-minute booking for us and we were delighted with the beachside cottage, with enough amenities that mom and dad did not worry we had their cutie with us for "camping". She's too little for backpacking into the woods but finally got to stay overnight and help with the campfire!

    Pros

    • Modern facility with full kitchen accessories (coffee maker, plates, wine opener, can opener, silverware, pots, pans, cooking utensils, toaster, oven), sponge/dish liquid. Microwave.1
    • Clean interior, clean campground
    • modern cottage with propane fireplace, WiFi access, bathroom with shower, large screened in porch with bar height table and 4 chairs, deck with chaise lounges, two bedrooms (1 with 2 twin beds, 1 with full), coach, chairs, plenty of clean storage places and hooks. You have everything but bedding, food, drinks, and personal items.
    • cottages far enough away from each other
    • fire ring with Adirondack chairs
    • dumpster and recycling within walking distance
    • lots of bone dry firewood around for campfire
    • walkable beach
    • beautiful
    • wildlife: deer, rabbits, turtles

    Cons

    • a bit pricey
    • playground is driving distance not walking
  • A
    Apr. 22, 2021

    Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    No RV sites a step up from tent camping.

    They have rustic cabins. Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it.

  • Ellen C.
    Jul. 15, 2019

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    Like camping in a city park, the beach cottages are the highlight

    My husband and and I camped one night at this newly reopened park over the weekend in Long Island just to check it out and were pretty disappointed by the tent camping area. There are 69 tent/trailer sites(no hook ups). There is no distinguishing separation between each site nor a designated driveway for your car- you merely pull up on the grass. It's basically like camping in your local city park. People park wildly all over the place, which also makes it more difficult to determine which site is which by the number painted on the roadway. Each"site" has a picnic table and an barbecue grate on a post. There is one bath/shower house in the center of all of these sites with no path provided for folks to walk to and fro, so naturally people will walk right through your site randomly rather than around the road. While the bathroom building itself is in decent shape and has a large amount of toilet stalls and about five showers, the condition of women's room was absolutely ghastly inside.

    At some point during the evening, a maintenance worker on a golf cart showed up with a mop and some cleaning supplies and cleaned the men's side of the building. I was so relieved when I saw him, but he seemed to neglect the women's side completely, so I resorted to using the men's facilities all night.

    There are no fire pits on any of the sites, although I learned afterwards that they do allow you to bring your own metal fire pit as long as it is elevated off the ground. There are large dumpsters located throughout the camping area and a large trash bag is provided (if needed) at the camp office when you check in.

    The highlight of Heckscher State Park is the newly constructed heated cottages located on the shore of Nichol's& Great South Bays.. There are currently 11 cottages--- with more under construction. There are cottages suited for two, four, and six people and range in price from$225-$285 per night during off peak seasons and$250- 320 per night during the peak seasons.

    The cottages are fully furnished, with a full kitchen and large bathroom with a walk in shower. The cottages are a short walk from the beach and also include a fire pit with Adirondack chairs and an outdoor shower on the exterior each property. I do not have photos of the inside, but they do have them on the Reserve America website if you are interested.

    While the cottages are lovely and their location is fabulous  they are quite pricey and  no TLC was spent in the$22 tent/rv camping area, other than a new registration office which is not yet completed as of this weekend. I do hope they invest some funding in the primitive area to add fire pits,more water spigots, clearer site markings and for the continued maintenance& upkeep of the bath/shower house.

    * I emailed the parks departement about the issues mentioned above about the camping area and received this reply:

    I am sorry that you are upset with the conditions in our recently opened campgrounds. We have replaced all of the picnic tables. Although, they may look old because they are weathered since these picnic tables were put together during the Winter, however, they are brand new. All of the barbeques are also new and were installed during the Winter. We have changed and modernized the light fixtures and we will be replacing the rusted doors that you mentioned. There are also plans to install a playground within the campground beginning this Fall and we are looking for other improvements and additions to the campgrounds. As you probably noticed there is a new building under construction, at the entrance to the campgrounds, and it will serve as a check-in area, as well as, additional comfort stations, including family restrooms. Your suggestion of fire pits is a good one and the Park Managers will evaluate the feasibility of installing these. Lastly, I have spoken to the Park Manager who will review the cleaning operation to ensure the restrooms are appropriately maintained. I apologize for our employee not cleaning the women's room. Again, I am sorry for your negative experience but we are continuing to make improvements to the campgrounds.

    Sincerely, George Gorman Regional Director New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    I will check back later this year to see if anything was changed and report back.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • T
    Sep. 5, 2023

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    Good Campsite For Families And Weekend Trips

    I camped here solo on Friday and Saturday over the Labor Day weekend. Overall my experience was positive.

    Camping Sites

    Each camping site has a picnic table and barbeque grill. The sites are designated by printing on the roads and do not have clear boundaries between them. My site had good shade coverage and was free of rocks and other hazards. 

    I had enough space that I didn't feel like I was intruding on my neighbors and vice-versa. That said, there aren't clear paths to the restroom building so it's not uncommon for people to cut through the edges of sites to get there. In my experience I (and others I saw) tried not to go right through the middle people's setups to do so.

    If you're looking for privacy, the sites at the rear seemed to be less-densely packed, even though every site was occupied. Quiet hours are generally adhered to but not enforced - there were some campers that had noise running later.

    Amenities

    The restroom building is in the middle of the campground and was clean and had plenty of stalls.

    Potable water is available at regular intervals, about at the corners of each group of four campsites.

    Cell phone reception is limited - I had data but it was very slow which led to my phone's battery draining quickly.

    Access

    A car is an absolute must for this part - the entrance is directly off of Southern State Parkway with no pedestrian access. Train stations are nearby so you could take the train most of the way and rent a car from there.

  • Katharine T.
    May. 22, 2022

    Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    Phenomenal local swimming

    Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. The cabins are "rustic" - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge. Ignore the hotplate and just cook on a fire out other outdoor set up. Don't expect to swim on site- go to Lake Welch near by!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    My favorite place for group camping

    This place is the best around for group and family camping. The entire campground is one flat open space where some sites are full in the shade and other sites (lower numbers) have lots of sun. I've been going here every summer since 2019 after it re-opened. Each site has a picnic table and grill. Water is also available near the sites.

    You can come here in tents as well as RVs and the staff is very nice. They toilets are cleaned constantly, though they are not immaculate. There is a shop at the entrance to get supplies if you need it and you can rent firepits and buy firewood. The ice cream trucks comes by as well. There is a playground just for the campground.

    Bring a bicycle or scooper and you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach. There is a pool, but it has not been open for many years. There are also hiking trails and a place where you can rent a kayak.

    On one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers. I've even been there while there was a philharmonic concert near the campground.

    Park staff and rangers regularly patrol the campground and are diligent about cleaning up.

  • O
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Get your family and friends and GO

    Well , one of the best sites , big enough, some have platform, clean bathrooms,many showers . Walk to the beach on Long Island sound , rocky beach you need water shoes or sandals , sunset is beyond amazing . Fire allowed, but no fire ring , rent it for $8 per day (rip off) so bring yours ! Quiet place , cabins look amazing, all booked , you gotta book a year in advance :( fishing and swimming allowed. Cell service available. Ticks signs everywhere, just be careful and wear light colors clothes. I’m going again this summer !

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2022

    Kettletown State Park Campground

    Great activities but compact sites

    I tented here while doing a river stream reconstruction project in southern Connecticut.

    To start, access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom. The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful.

    Site 32 and the upper loop was not great though. The sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent. The picnic table seemed to be shared between sites and had boards missing, so it was challenging to use when available.

    Overall, folks seemed to be there in larger groups for celebrations so things were loud well past midnight, which was challenging given how close each site was. I realize this is very time specific but there was no management presence around quiet time, and this happened both evenings I was there, so I got the sense that quiet times didn’t really apply.

    The location was great especially for folks closer to the major metro areas, but I’ll be looking elsewhere if I’m ever in the area again.


Guide to Melville

Cabin accommodations near Melville, New York provide seasonal options with varying availability throughout the year. Located on Long Island with access to both the Long Island Sound and Great South Bay, the region offers a mix of coastal and woodland camping environments. Winter cabin rentals typically require advance booking, with prices generally 15-20% lower than peak summer rates.

What to do

Water activities on the Sound: Wildwood State Park Campground offers access to the Long Island Sound beach where campers can swim, fish, and walk along the shoreline. While swimming is popular, the beach is "a little rocky on the north shore" according to one visitor, so water shoes are recommended for comfortable beach walking.

Urban exploration: At Camp Gateway Staten Island, visitors can view the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and explore abandoned buildings through ranger-led programs. "There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned buildings. This place is great if you live in New York city and don't want to drive really far from the city to go camping," reports one camper.

Backcountry beach camping: Watch Hill Fire Island Campground allows permit holders to camp beyond designated sites. "You can get a permit to backcountry camp instead of reserving a designated campground spot. Just walk down to the beach after check-in and walk east until you see a pole with a tent symbol on it. After that you can choose where you want to set up camp," explains one visitor who found increased privacy during shoulder season.

What campers like

Beach access with limited crowds: Fire Island's relative isolation creates unique camping experiences. "Beautiful location steps away from the beach. Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean. Not ready for full on camp-life? No problem! There are shops, a restaurant and a bar a 10 minute walk away," notes one camper about the Watch Hill area.

Swimming options: Kettletown State Park Campground offers swimming areas alongside camping options. One camper mentioned that "Kettletown State Park isn't just for camping. There are also hiking trails, a fishing area and a swimming hole," though they cautioned that swimming might be restricted during periods of high bacteria counts.

Family-oriented programming: Heckscher State Park Campground provides scheduled activities for families. "On one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers. I've even been there while there was a philharmonic concert near the campground," shares one regular visitor who appreciates the family-focused atmosphere.

What you should know

Reservation timelines: Cabin rentals throughout the Melville region require significant advance planning. At Wildwood State Park, prime summer weekends fill quickly, with most cabins bookable up to 9 months in advance. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," reports one camper who appreciated the layout.

Insect preparation: Several locations near water require thorough insect protection. At Watch Hill, one camper warned, "We were getting attacked by mosquitoes and horseflies the entire weekend. Even with the bug spray, the relief didn't last long. We couldn't even enjoy our meals at camp because it was that bad. Definitely bring a shelter or a canopy with a mosquito net!"

Transportation requirements: Some cabin locations require specific access methods. Camp Gateway Staten Island is accessible via public transportation, while Watch Hill requires a ferry ride followed by walking. "Fire Island is a great spot in the summer, but can be busy. Camping gets you away from the bustle. It is a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock," notes one visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Croton Point Park offers family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and open spaces. One visitor mentioned, "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."

Cabin sizing considerations: When booking cabin accommodations, verify sleeping capacity and layout. At Sebago Cabin Camp, a visitor described the setup: "Most cabins have 2 rooms with 4 cots but some are larger inside has a full fridge and double hot plate outside a fire pit and grill with table."

Entertainment options: Several campgrounds host scheduled activities throughout summer months. At Sebago, "They do big bonfires on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is great with the kids and they have firewood for purchase on site," making it easy for families to participate without extensive preparation.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Wildwood State Park separates tent and RV camping areas, allowing for appropriate site selection. "There is a separate area for RVs vs tents. There is also a store where you can get a cup of coffee in the morning and lots of goodies throughout the day," explains a regular visitor who appreciates the organization.

Hookup variations: RV sites across the region offer different hookup configurations. Heckscher provides sites with "electric hookups, fifty-amp hookups, thirty-amp hookups" according to campground information, while some locations offer full hookups including sewer connections. One camper at Wildwood noted that "bathrooms and showers were not really clean, which was surprising because most people used their personal bathroom/shower in their RV."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Melville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Melville, NY is Heckscher State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Melville, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 cabin camping locations near Melville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.