Camping cabins near Preble, New York occupy the rolling hills of central New York, typically at elevations between 1,100-1,300 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer highs average in the mid-80s with occasional thunderstorms. Fall camping season brings colorful foliage from mid-September through late October, with morning fog common around the lakes and valleys.
What to do
Swimming in natural pools: Fillmore Glen State Park Campground features a natural swimming pool with lifeguards during summer months. One visitor noted, "Kids loved the park and swimming in the waterfall beach."
Hiking gorge trails: Explore the dramatic scenery at Watkins Glen State Park Campground, where the Gorge Trail showcases 19 waterfalls. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. The gorge trail is a MUST," according to one camper.
Kayaking and boating: Green Lakes State Park Campground offers kayak rentals ($7/hour) on its distinctive blue-green lakes. "You can rent a kayak and enjoy the beautiful lake. There are miles of trails to explore," mentions a reviewer.
What campers like
Natural swimming areas: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground offers a unique swimming experience at the base of a waterfall. "There is a diving board into a swimming hole filled by a waterfall which draws so many," explains one camper.
Quiet weekday camping: For more solitude, visit mid-week. A camper at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground observed, "We stayed at site 42, which was mostly shady. The upper part of the campground is pretty private, while the lower end near the entrance/exit is more open."
Clean shower facilities: Multiple parks maintain well-kept shower buildings. At Sned Acres Campground, "The showers were hot and the facilities were clean," according to a visitor who stayed during a last-minute trip.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Campgrounds throughout the region offer different levels of privacy. At Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground, a camper noted, "The tent sites don't have views of the falls or anything, couldn't hear water at night. Deer outside the tent, wildflowers through summer, great leaves in fall."
Reservation timing: For summer weekends, reserve several months ahead. One Watkins Glen visitor advised, "Friendly staff, good patrols at night to keep people from being too noisy, tent sites are nice and shaded."
Winter access limitations: Most parks close cabins and campgrounds from November through April. Bowman Lake State Park remains partially open in winter, with a camper mentioning "the camp ground is open for hiking, x country skiing and snowmobiling."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature play areas for children. At Green Lakes State Park, "Beach also has a great playground for kids that is perfect for play and swim. Dogs are welcome."
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas provide unique experiences but may have restrictions. A Fillmore Glen visitor mentioned, "Swimming is only allowed in certain parts and there are some pretty steep drop offs so watch the kids close."
Educational opportunities: Empire Haven offers a community atmosphere where "the community enables campers the freedom to socialize and share meals whenever you want to reach beyond the family who came with you."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many older campgrounds have uneven sites. At Robert H. Treman, one RVer noted, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers."
Electric hookup locations: At Taughannock Falls, a camper advised to "Check out which side the hookups are on. Some not situated on the right side so you'll need extra long cords."
Lake access for larger vehicles: Several campgrounds offer boat launches suitable for RVs towing watercraft. Cayuga Lake State Park includes "Fishing and boat rental if you want to be closer to the water," according to a visitor who enjoyed the variety of activities available.
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