Cabin camping options near North Salem, New York provide access to both New York and Connecticut state parks within a 30-60 minute drive. The region sits at the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains with elevations ranging from 400-1,200 feet, creating varied camping terrain across the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing while summer camping season typically runs May through October with occasional rain even in summer months.
What to do
Swimming at marked beaches: Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park features a large swimming area. "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day," notes one camper who enjoyed the Sebago Cabin Camp facilities.
Hiking local trails: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers marked hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. A visitor mentioned, "The trail is a nice hike up to a stunning view. We'll definitely be going back," highlighting the accessible trails at Lake Waramaug State Park Campground.
Paddling opportunities: Multiple lakes provide kayak and canoe options, often with rentals available onsite. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available," reports a visitor to Croton Point Park.
Train viewing: Some campgrounds have unexpected attractions like freight train watching. One camper at Mills Norrie State Park Campground noted, "When the park clears out during the week you sleep to the sounds of nature and the occasional freight train in the distance."
What campers like
Off-grid disconnection: Many cabin campers appreciate the lack of connectivity as a feature rather than inconvenience. "No cell service in that area. Have fun," notes one camper about Lake Waramaug, while another at Sebago Cabin Camp observed, "Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING."
Cabin amenities: Basic cabin facilities vary significantly between parks. A visitor to Sebago described, "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge."
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife adds to the camping experience, though requires proper food storage. A Croton Point Park visitor warned, "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless raccoons at night."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events, especially in summer. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, a camper noted, "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
Bathroom facilities: Expect significant variation in bathroom quality and availability. One camper at Kettletown State Park noted, "Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!" A visitor to Mills Norrie State Park Campground added, "One shower location for 50 campsites. Three small shower units and three toilets."
Rules and restrictions: Some parks enforce strict regulations. A camper at Lake Waramaug mentioned, "You can't tie any thing to trees, so no hammock tied to trees," while another noted, "Connecticut's state campgrounds are not KOA's. Do not expect top of the line activities that private campgrounds have."
Site spacing: Privacy between sites varies significantly. At Cozy Hills Campground, a visitor observed, "The only downside was the real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw. It was more like staying in a summer cottage colony."
Advance planning: Many amenities require preparation or advance notice. "No on-site stores so pick up all your necessary essentials prior to," advises a Croton Point visitor, adding there's only a "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood."
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate activities: Different parks cater to different age groups. At Kettletown State Park, a camper shared that the "Place is perfect for young kids! It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" A visitor to Croton Point Park added, "Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
Swimming areas: Swimming options vary significantly in size and depth. A camper at Cozy Hills Campground noted, "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," while another stated, "The swimming area is an absolute joke, unless you are 18 months old, and then its probably perfect. (Extremely small, extremely shallow, and some sand to dig in.)"
Transportation around large grounds: Consider how you'll move around larger campgrounds. One camper at Cozy Hills advised, "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Noise considerations: Expect varying noise levels depending on campground and timing. A visitor to West Point FMWR Round Pond noticed everyone was "amazingly respectful of each other," while at Croton Point, campers reported that "The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm."
Tips from RVers
Hookup details: Electric options vary between parks. Kettletown State Park Campground provides both thirty-amp and fifty-amp hookups according to their facilities list, while other parks offer only one type.
Site configurations: Some campgrounds have unusual arrangements. Mills Norrie State Park has sites that are "back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together," according to a recent visitor.
Dump stations: Not all campgrounds with hookups provide full sanitation facilities. Check availability before booking as this varies significantly between parks in the region.
