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."