Camping cabins near South Plymouth, New York sit within the scenic Central New York region at elevations ranging from 1,000-1,800 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with winter temperatures often dropping below freezing, while summer camping season runs from May through October with average highs of 75-85°F. Most cabins require advance reservations, especially for weekends during peak summer months.
What to do
**Hiking trails: Access trails directly from campsites at Oquaga Creek State Park, which offers multiple marked routes. "There are plenty of well-marked trails to hike. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The staff were very friendly," notes a visitor.
**Kayaking on Chenango River: Bring your own kayak or rent from outfitters in the region during summer months. A camper at Bowman Lake State Park shares, "We brought our bikes and explored the many hiking and riding trails on the premises. We loved the swimming beach soaking up the sun and cool refreshing water."
**Fishing: Most lakes in the area are stocked with trout and bass, requiring a New York fishing license. "As fisherman we loved that the rangers told us that the lake was regularly stocked with trout and other game fish," reports a Bowman Lake visitor.
**Stargazing: The rural location provides limited light pollution. A camper at Oquaga Creek notes, "You can kayak and swim in the lake, and see incredible stars at night."
What campers like
**Private, wooded sites: Most cabins are situated with natural buffers. A camper at Chenango Valley State Park explains, "Campsites are in the woods with picnic tables and fire ring, plenty of shade and a good amount of space between camps."
**Beach access: Several parks maintain swimming beaches with lifeguards during summer months. "The beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids," reports a visitor to Glimmerglass State Park.
**Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide best opportunities for spotting local fauna. "They have so many birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and insects that it was a veritable wonderland," notes a Chenango Valley camper.
**Clean facilities: Most parks maintain regularly serviced bathhouses and shower facilities. A Glimmerglass camper states, "It is clean, great bathroom and showers. Very friendly campers and plenty to do at camp grounds and around the area."
What you should know
**Cabin amenities vary widely: Confirm what's included before booking. At Unadilla KOA, "Sites range from typical large rig to dispersed tents next to a creek. The tent sites with electric like the one we took used 240v 50A plugs, so we had to borrow a converter plug form the office."
**Seasonal limitations: Most park cabins close by early October. One camper notes, "Memorial Day weekend, campground was full but never felt crowded. Sites are large with a good buffer, fire ring & grill."
**Cell service: Signal strength varies by location and carrier. A visitor to Chenango Valley cautions, "No cell service or wifi which didn't bother me but could some."
**Weather preparedness: The region experiences frequent summer thunderstorms. "We had never been to site before so when we booked, we thought we were next to a bathroom. Turns out you had to walk through woods to get there in the mud. Our entire campsite was flooded."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Several parks offer updated play equipment. At Chenango Valley State Park, "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house."
**Biking opportunities: Paved roads within parks are suitable for children. A camper at Green Lakes State Park advises, "Would recommend bringing your bikes. Great that the campground is just far enough from the lake/park, which makes it a bit more private."
**Swimming beaches: Most lakes have designated swimming areas with lifeguards during peak season. "The beach is great and well kept," reports a Glimmerglass visitor.
**Educational opportunities: Parks often host ranger-led programs. "This was a great campground – very family-friendly. My kids spent a week with my parents there, there were lots of sites that were separated from each other by small patches of words, which made it more private."
Tips from RVers
**Site leveling: Many campsites require additional equipment for leveling. At Lebanon Reservoir Campground, "Sites are mostly level, but some did slant quite a bit. Hookups are well located and modern."
**Reservation timing: Book well in advance for sites with full hookups. A Green Lakes State Park visitor notes, "There are many sites with electric available at every site. There are some sites with full hook-up available and also specific areas that allow pets."
**Access routes: Some parks have narrow access roads. At Bowman Lake State Park, "Campground is a maze of campsites through densely wooded forests so it's pretty private and shady even though it's full no matter what season we visited."
**Generator policies: Most state parks restrict generator use to specific hours. "No hookups but that means people have generators, though the campsites are big and you won't necessarily hear your neighbor running theirs."
