Cabins near Shokan, New York range from basic rustic structures to larger cottage-style accommodations across the eastern Catskills region. Located at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, many cabin sites experience temperature drops of 10-15 degrees in evening hours compared to daytime highs. Most cabins are positioned within forested areas that provide natural shade during summer months when temperatures typically reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Hiking access: Multiple trails within 30 minutes of Shokan cabins provide varied difficulty levels. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, "There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. Amenities are the great outdoors and an ancient bath house built during the New Deal in the 1930's," notes one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Stock up on gear at local camp stores. At Blue Mountain Reservation, "They have a camp store at the front of the property and it's stocked with basically anything you could think of needing including charcoal, ice, firewood among other camp items."
Water activities: Many cabin campgrounds feature water access. A camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground shared, "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny."
What campers like
Creek access: Several cabins feature water proximity for cooling off. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "The creek on the property (Plattekill) is great, the pond is fun to fish in, the RC track is great for those who are into it, laundry facilities are efficient, full hookups are the cherry on top."
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural surroundings at cabins. "Rip Van Winkle is a beautiful campground, it's well run, well maintained, and has a lot to do! I was a little skeptical that we wouldn't get to choose our site, but you can't go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated."
Off-season availability: Some cabins operate year-round. "Blue Mountain Campground's proximity to trail heads was great. The campsites come with a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill. I used the charcoal grill every night to cook our meals so that worked out perfectly."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Weekend cabin bookings fill quickly, especially during summer months. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "This place can be grand if they want it to be. Just needs some TLC," indicating variable maintenance levels that may affect cabin comfort.
Bathroom facilities: Cabin options vary from fully equipped to rustic. "The bathrooms kept clogging," noted one camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, suggesting facilities can be strained during peak periods.
Site selection: Some cabin areas have specific character. "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Pricey--$60 a night. But super nice being right on the creek--we took our chairs and plopped down in the water."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Family-oriented cabins offer scheduled programming. At Jellystone Park™ Gardiner, "This place is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Water features: Pool facilities extend cabin appeal for families. "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time there."
Noise considerations: Family campgrounds can be lively. "It is a bit more open and campsite can be a bit close to each other. But the place was very clean and friendly," notes a camper at Jellystone Park Gardiner, suggesting families prepare for varied noise levels throughout the day.
Tips from RVers
Long-term stays: Some cabin locations accommodate extended visits. A visitor to Interlake RV Park & Campground mentioned, "I stayed there for 3 weeks for work it was quite priced very reasonably for full hook up and about a half hour from stunning views."
Site privacy: RV sites typically offer less seclusion than cabins. "All these amenities do come at a price. This year the most basic site with water costs $46; add electric on up to sewer and cable tv and you'll pay as much as $60/night," notes a camper at Interlake RV Park.
Security features: Some properties offer additional safety measures. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, one camper appreciated "having gated security. My husband went on a work trip and left me alone for a few days and we left our rig to take the train into the city for the weekend and we had no problems."
