Cabins near New Paltz, New York provide access to both the Shawangunk Ridge with elevations reaching 2,000 feet and the Hudson Valley's fertile lowlands. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most cabin rentals in the area close from November through April, though some larger operations maintain year-round availability.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Taghkanic: The lake offers swimming and boating options from May through October. Visitors can rent kayaks or bring their own watercraft for a $15 fee. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks. Worth every penny," notes a Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground visitor.
Hiking near cabin sites: Many cabins provide direct access to trail systems along the Hudson River. "There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. When the park clears out during the week you sleep to the sounds of nature and the occasional freight train in the distance," explains a camper at Mills Norrie State Park Campground.
Local historical sites: Cabins in Rhinebeck place you near presidential history. "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby," reports a visitor staying at Interlake RV Park. Many cabin rentals offer convenient bases for exploring multiple historical attractions within a 30-minute drive.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many cabin rentals feature natural separation from neighbors. "Rip Van Winkle is a beautiful campground, it's well run, well maintained, and has a lot to do! All sites are wooded, private and well situated," explains a visitor at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Creek access: Several cabin properties offer direct water access for cooling off. According to one camper at Rip Van Winkle, "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Super nice being right on the creek—we took our chairs and plopped down in the water."
Off-season tranquility: Visiting cabins near New Paltz during weekdays or shoulder seasons provides a different experience. At Mills Norrie State Park, visitors note: "Deserted during the week but packed on weekends. Sites are large and spread nicely. When the park clears out during the week you sleep to the sounds of nature."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: While some cabins include private bathrooms, many rely on centralized facilities. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres, a visitor points out: "There are no bathrooms in the cabin but there are public restrooms nearby."
Train noise considerations: Cabins along the Hudson River corridor may experience railroad sounds. A Mills Norrie camper mentions: "It was situated right across the Hudson River from a highly active nighttime freight train route, and the noise from the horns and then being awake for a few minutes as the train clattered by."
Seasonal staffing impacts: Service levels can fluctuate based on time of year. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a visitor observed: "Our biggest issue was that they are still training their staff how to deal with families. This will work out if people communicate with management, they were receptive to constructive criticism."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Jellystone parks specifically cater to children with structured programs. "This campground is great for kids. It has an event just about every weekend with kid activity," explains a visitor at Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Pool options for different ages: When booking a family cabin, consider pool configurations. According to one Jellystone Gardiner visitor: "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Noise management: Family-oriented campgrounds have different sound patterns. At Jellystone Gardiner, one camper noted: "Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up. The kids were around until about 10:30 or so each night. People tend to walk through your campsite constantly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RV cabins, location relative to amenities matters. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, visitors advise: "My Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam."
On-site transportation: Some larger cabin resorts offer golf cart rentals for convenience. One Jellystone Gardiner visitor cautions: "Love it here but renting a golf cart is probably not the best option - $175 for 2 days and it only goes 5mph. I can walk faster than that."
Seasonal accessibility: Water systems at many cabin rentals shut down during cold weather. A visitor at Round Pond notes: "Due to our early start in the camping season the weather did not allow us to enjoy fishing or the beach or water hook ups, however all areas looked well maintained."
