Cabins near Ravena, New York are scattered throughout the Hudson Valley and eastern Catskill foothills at elevations ranging from 100-1500 feet. The region receives approximately 39 inches of annual precipitation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak cabin rental season. Most rental facilities operate from late April through October with limited winter availability at specific locations.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Taghkanic: The state park offers swimming at two lifeguarded areas including "a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of." Boat rentals and private watercraft are permitted for a fee of approximately $15. According to camper Erin B., "very short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls."
Hiking from campgrounds: Blue Mountain Reservation provides direct trail access to eastern Catskill routes. Derek W. notes, "we were using it as our base camp as we went out in trails in the eastern Catskills notably the Devils Path, echo lake, etc. It's proximity to those trail heads was great."
Visit wildlife sanctuary: A Promise to Gaia/Garden of One maintains a plant and butterfly sanctuary where guests can observe native pollinator species. The property is described as a dedicated space "to help maintain and expand native and pollinating species of plants."
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its well-maintained facilities. Perrin M. notes, "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
Variety of accommodation styles: Treetopia Campground offers unique sleeping arrangements beyond standard cabins. Camper Janly P. states it's "in a class all by itself" with "the bathrooms and showers are out of this world! Best of any campground we've ever visited!"
Creek access at campsites: Several properties feature water access directly from cabin areas. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, Kathy G. reports, "Rip Van Winkle is a beautiful campground, it's well run, well maintained, and has a lot to do! The creek on the property (Plattekill) is great, the pond is fun to fish in."
What you should know
Seasonal availability varies: Most cabin facilities in the region operate with different schedules. At Taconic State Park, the season runs "May 6 to November 27" while Lake Taghkanic operates "May 6 to October 15."
Campground noise levels: Several locations can become crowded during peak periods. At October Mountain State Forest Campground, a camper warns about "a station nearby that offers a constant hum and during the week there are trucks going in and out of before 7am. The closer to the street side the worse it is."
Weekday vs. weekend experience: Taconic State Park Campground becomes significantly busier on weekends. John E. advises visitors to "avoid weekends" as "this was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Playground and pool amenities: Brookside Campground features family-friendly facilities including a pool and playground. Michael A. shares, "I went last year with my kids they loved the arcade small but it's a camp ground the playground area was nice."
Animal viewing opportunities: Multiple properties feature small farm animals for children to observe. David R. notes that at Brookside there was a "small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese."
Emergency accommodations: Cabin rental staff sometimes provide alternative arrangements during severe weather. A Brookside camper recounted, "We use tents and got a bad storm the owner called and let up bunk in the arcade for the night since she was worried."
Tips from RVers
Delivery services available: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers convenience services for RV campers. Derek W. mentioned, "If you ordered firewood they would deliver it right to your site which was appreciated."
Full hookup locations: Several campgrounds provide complete utility connections. Kimberly G. at Blue Mountain Reservation noted their "exceptionally clean bath houses and laundry facilities. Propane and chopped wood available and wonderful hosts."
Challenging site layouts: Not all properties accommodate larger vehicles. According to Chelsea B., "When we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time."
