Cabin camping near Middletown, New York provides access to the diverse terrain of the Catskill foothills and Shawangunk Ridge. The region sits at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, resulting in cooler summer evenings than nearby urban areas. Winter cabin camping requires preparation for temperatures that commonly drop below 20°F from December through February, with seasonal campgrounds typically closing between mid-October and early April.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Stokes State Forest provides direct access to the AT. "I stopped at this shelter while hiking the AT in High Point SP. It was raining the entire day and the shelter provided a dry place to take a break," notes one visitor at Stokes State Forest.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer river or lake fishing access. "We stayed on a beautiful mossy bank, next to a river and a lake. The area was quiet and peaceful, and areas with waterfalls and great views were easily accessable," reports a camper at Stokes State Forest.
Water activities: Kayaking, tubing, and swimming are available at several locations. At Kittatinny Campground, one guest mentioned "The river was beautiful, welcoming and refreshing in the warm sun" despite having other concerns about their stay.
Farm experiences: Some properties incorporate agricultural elements. A visitor to Peace and Carrots Farm wrote, "The host was fantastic and catered to all of our needs giving us some firewood, a tour of her farm, and some fresh produce she picked that morning."
What campers like
Riverside accommodations: Many cabins offer direct water access. A visitor at Oakland Valley Campground noted, "We spent most of early spring at Oakland Valley right on the river. Even though covid really forced a shutdown on activities, this one was of my kids favorite places of the year. They loved to fish and play in the river, explore the woods and ride bikes around."
Varying levels of privacy: Sites range from secluded to social. According to one camper at Oakland Valley, "My partner and I hit this campground up during the era of Covid and it was a cool place to stay. The location was on POINT!! Definitely a beautiful place to stroll along and enjoy the wilderness."
Winter cabin options: Some locations offer year-round availability. A winter visitor to Stokes State Forest explained, "Rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. I favored Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room... The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic."
Family-friendly amenities: Many locations include organized activities. One guest at Jellystone Park™ Gardiner reported, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there."
What you should know
Site availability varies widely: Reservations are crucial at peak times. A camper at High Point State Park Campground observed, "Stayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping."
Shower access restrictions: Not all cabins include private bathrooms. "Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers," notes one reviewer.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires extra preparation. A Stokes State Forest cabin user advised, "You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution. The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night."
Noise levels vary by location: Some campgrounds have reputation for noise. A Kittatinny Campground visitor reported, "Busy campground no quiet time loud music till 3 in the morning. Very clean, workers very friendly and helpful but after dark no one around."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around campground events. A visitor at Jellystone Park mentioned, "The campground had a lot of activities but some were repetitive. It looks like Saturdays have the best activities but we were not there on a Saturday."
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on family needs. One camper advised, "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
Animals and farming experiences: Several campgrounds offer animal interactions. A Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort visitor noted, "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool. Weekend was busy as usual but during the week it seems to be seasonal that stay."
Verify bathroom facilities: Quality and availability vary significantly. One family camping at Pleasant Acres warned, "They offer several planned activities for kids and they have nice facilities like a great swimming pool and ping pong. Important to not miss: the amazingly beautiful miniature horse that wonders around its huge pin located in the middle of the campground."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Oakland Valley Campground, a camper mentioned, "Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because the sites were a bit difficult to back into and unlevel. Otherwise a very nice place to relax."
Limited large rig access: Size restrictions apply at many locations. A Pleasant Acres visitor advised, "When you leave you have to drive the wrong way in the campground because of the low hanging trees the correct direction."
Garbage disposal logistics: Trash service varies by property. One RVer at Pleasant Acres observed, "The garbage situation was the worst. Most campsites have a service, they tell you to leave it at a specific location by a certain time or they have many garbage cans throughout. This place had their garbage and recycling very far away."
Supply planning: Many locations are remote from services. A camper noted, "A bit out here in the middle of nowhere, 15-20 minutes from any town. Make sure you have what you need!"
