Cabins near Onchiota, New York are situated in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall and mild summers with temperatures typically between 65-80°F from June through August. Many cabin sites require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during peak foliage season from mid-September through mid-October.
What to do
Tubing and rafting activities: AuSable Chasm Campground provides direct access to water recreation across the road at the Chasm. "The campground is within minutes of Ausable Chasm, which offers great hiking trails and rafting/tubing," notes Heather M., who found the campsite staff "friendly, and worked hard to keep the bathrooms and showers clean."
Hiking from your cabin: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers immediate trail access. "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground," explains Hannah O., who stayed in a "spacious and relatively private, flat, and shaded" site. Year-round cabin access makes this location suitable for winter hiking experiences as well.
Kayaking connected ponds: The waterfront cabins at Fish Creek Pond Campground provide excellent paddling opportunities. "We enjoy kayaking, and there is plenty of access for that here. So many of the ponds connect that you could paddle for days and not get bored," shares Cyndi B., who recommends late September visits for leaf-peeping when "the colors and the mountains are just gorgeous!"
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: The cabin setups at Fish Creek Pond Campground feature direct water access. "Every site has water access, and the water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water," explains Oleńka S. "The bottom is sandy with some rocks, good to have water shoes but not essential."
Spacious cabin sites: Draper's Acres offers cabins with ample space. "Our site was large enough for two double tents, a hammock, and 2 vehicles. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table," reports Brett N., who found "the office sells firewood" and the "bath houses were adequate, even containing shampoo and body wash."
Clean, modern facilities: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake maintains high standards for cabin users. "I was absolutely impressed with the restrooms, dishwashing station, and beach area," writes Tigan W., who appreciated that "despite rather high density of sites they are well designed and the campground is quiet and dark at night for good rest!"
What you should know
Seasonal availability varies: Most cabin properties in the region operate on different schedules. Meadowbrook Campground runs from "May 19 to September 4," while others like Fish Creek Pond operate through late October. Sam L. notes that Meadowbrook has "showers (the hot water was broken the day we were there, but the attendant said we could go to nearby campgrounds to use theirs)."
Cabin amenities differ significantly: Some properties offer basic accommodations while others provide more comforts. "The bathrooms were clean and the showers were nice. There is a quality dishwashing sink by the bathrooms," reports Shari G. about Meadowbrook, though she noted "the campground is ok, but needs a bit of a facelift, repainting, etc."
Road noise concerns: Cabins at some locations may experience traffic sounds. At Draper's Acres, Rebecca A. found "it was right off the highway and there was a lot of road noise. Also, the campground is literally in the middle of a neighborhood, which wasn't my favorite environment."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday offers organized recreation for families staying in cabins. "They have a jumping pad on that side also. Both sides have the tractor driving around, pulling the kids around," describes Nicole S., who found staff members "so fun" and "made the trip more fun!"
Cabin selection strategy: Choose sites based on specific family needs. At Lake Placid KOA, Nancy W. explains, "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section. We stayed in the 100-Acre section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other. This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area."
Family-friendly bathrooms: Cabin guests at Meadowbrook have access to recently renovated facilities. "The bathroom was actually one of the nicest I've seen in a DEC campsite; it looked like it had recently been rebuilt," observed Sam L., who also appreciated having "ice cream and places to eat within walking distance."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Pine Ridge Park Campsite accommodates various vehicle sizes at cabin sites. "Been seasonal campers for awhile. Great place to camp if you want to have fun and meet great people," shares KariMike O. The campground maintains "quiet and comfortable place to stay" according to Kyle I., who appreciates the staff "always smiling and welcoming you into the campground."
Road condition awareness: Access to some cabins may require navigating rough roads. At AuSable Chasm Campground, recent visitor Brian P. cautions "the 'road' into the campground is more like a goat trail, with numerous washouts and uneven rocks and dirt." Those with trailers should note potential leveling challenges at some sites.
Dump station logistics: When utilizing cabin facilities with RVs, Fish Creek Pond Campground provides convenient services. "No w/e/s hookups at any of the sites, but there is a three-lane dump station for your convenience if you are in an RV," explains Cyndi B., who recommends researching specific sites in advance as "not all are level for trailers and RVs."
