Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers cabin options about 24 miles northeast of Tannersville. The Catskill region's cabins typically sit at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet, creating cooler summer nights compared to lower elevations. Most cabin rentals near Tannersville require advance booking, with holiday weekends filling up several months ahead.
What to do
Swimming and fishing access: At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy both cabin accommodations and water recreation. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes one camper.
Creek relaxation: Cabins at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offer access to creek activities. "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," shares a visitor.
Stargazing opportunities: Cabin campers can take advantage of the minimal light pollution. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports a Lake Taghkanic visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin areas offer good separation between units. "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities," notes a Rip Van Winkle camper.
Woodland settings: Blue Mountain Campground cabins provide a forest experience. "The C section (30 amp) has some shade trees and all grassy sites. Shared hook ups (two sites on one pole) at the rear of the sites with the exception of sewer. Sites were sized well and management spaced out the reservations," explains a visitor.
Multiple cabin categories: Different comfort levels meet various needs. "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," shares a guest.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: At Brookside Campground, "The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean." This contrasts with other properties.
Seasonal population differences: Some campgrounds have year-round residents. "Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it's a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite," warns a Brookside visitor, indicating some cabins may be in areas with permanent residents.
Varied shower conditions: Water pressure and temperature consistency differ between locations. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, "Bathroom and water pressure was ok. But one shower location for 50 campsites. Three small showers units and three toilet."
Tips for camping with families
Activities for children: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive family programming. "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there," reports one family.
Consider noise levels: Family-oriented cabin areas can be lively. "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up," mentions a Jellystone visitor.
Animal attractions: Some campgrounds incorporate small farm areas. "Quain little campground, nice pool, large activities field, some things for kids to do. Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese," notes a Brookside camper.
Tips from RVers
Camp store provisioning: For cabin campers without full kitchens, camp stores provide essentials. At Treetopia Campground, "The camp store at the front of the property is stocked with basically anything you could think of needing including charcoal, ice, firewood among other camp items."
Site selection strategies: Request specific areas when booking cabins. "If you're going to tell the story right, we were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids!" explains a Rip Van Winkle visitor.
Cabin reservation timing: Holiday periods require extensive advance planning. "First trip to ease my way into camping!! Plenty of space, your car is right there next to you, and the camp store has every essential you could ever need if you left anything at home or are just stopping by!!"
