Cabins near Upper Jay, New York provide year-round lodging options in the eastern Adirondack region, where elevations range from 1,000 to 5,000 feet and winter temperatures often drop below zero. The area sits at the junction of several key hiking trails leading to High Peaks wilderness areas, with most cabin rentals situated within a 15-mile radius of Upper Jay proper. Local cabins range from primitive accommodations to fully equipped vacation rentals.
What to do
Hiking and mountain access: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access to Adirondack peaks. At Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake, visitors can "hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground." Another camper noted they stayed "just so I could hike Mount Marcy in the morning!"
Water activities: The region's numerous lakes and ponds provide swimming and boating opportunities. At Fish Creek Pond Campground, "every site has water access, and the water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water. The bottom is sandy with some rocks, good to have water shoes but not essential."
Local attractions: Upper Jay cabins serve as a convenient base for exploring nearby towns. One camper at Draper's Acres mentioned, "It is centrally located and is really only 15 minutes from Lake Placid. There isn't much there but there is a lot around that makes it worth while to stay there." AuSable Chasm is another popular destination, offering "great hiking trails and rafting/tubing."
What campers like
Cabin comfort levels: Rustic cabin rentals in the Upper Jay area vary widely in amenities. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, "there are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section... The water spigot at our site broke when I was hooking up the water which was then gushing everywhere. Staff were really prompt at coming out and shutting off the water and getting it fixed."
Private settings: Many cabins provide secluded locations. A camper at Draper's Acres mentioned they have "good tent sites that are separate from RV area and rental cabins. Very reasonable rates and friendly staff, also showers on site tho they're a bit rustic. Great experience; if you tent, try to grab a spot on the outer ring for a quieter time, larger space and better views."
Accessibility to activities: Most cabin locations near Upper Jay offer convenient positioning for outdoor pursuits. A visitor to Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake explained, "We stayed at the Heart Lake Campground for a week and a half utilizing it as our home base for adventures into the High Peaks Wilderness and the greater Adirondack region."
What you should know
Off-season considerations: Cabin availability changes seasonally. At Meadowbrook Campground, a camper noted, "The bathroom was actually one of the nicest I've seen in a DEC campsite; it looked like it had recently been rebuilt." Another camper mentioned "The hot water was broken the day we were there, but the attendant said we could go to nearby campgrounds to use theirs."
Cabin reservations: Most cabins require advance bookings during peak seasons. One camper warned about Draper's Acres: "They don't pick up the phone right away so call a few times to get ahold of someone."
Road and access limitations: Some cabin areas have challenging access roads. A Wilderness Campground visitor noted, "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Several Upper Jay area cabin locations cater specifically to families. A reviewer at AuSable Chasm Campground found "Large and nice-looking playground, pool, volleyball net, disc golf and mountain biking/hiking trails."
Safety considerations: Protected swimming areas are available at some locations. At Fish Creek Pond Campground, families appreciate that "the water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs. A Wilderness Campground visitor mentioned: "There is Wi-Fi at the Loj and meals are served but we believe these are for Loj guests only."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for cabins and RVs: When booking cabin accommodations near Upper Jay, consider the site location carefully. One RVer noted about Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday: "We stayed in a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car... One bad thing about this park is that you have to pay high fees for visitors. Day passes for adults are $12 and $6/kid. Overnight fees are crazy high at $15/adult, $8/kid and $7/car."
Seasonal road conditions: Winter access to cabins requires planning. A visitor to Meadowbrook Campground noted: "There are showers (the hot water was broken the day we were there, but the attendant said we could go to nearby campgrounds to use theirs), toilets, and water spigots. I had decent Verizon signal."
Storage considerations: Cabin accommodations typically have limited storage. At Meadowbrook, an RVer found "The sites in the center of the loop are more open; if I had a larger rig, I'd stick to that area. Some areas get a little tight and the website doesn't provide vehicle length information."