Cabin camping options within 30 miles of Vestal offer overnight stays amid the rolling hills and deciduous forests of New York's Southern Tier. Located in Broome County, Vestal sits at approximately 850 feet above sea level, experiencing four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 78°F and winter lows reaching 15°F. Fall brings colorful foliage from mid-September through late October, making it a popular time for cabin rentals.
What to do
Hiking along waterways: At Chenango Valley State Park Campground, trails wind around two glacial lakes with wildlife viewing opportunities. "The hiking trails are well maintained and go all the way around the lake. I had my 5 year old grandson with me and he loved it," notes Mary P., who stayed at the park.
Water recreation: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground features natural swimming areas beneath waterfalls. "You can swim in the waterfall area here. The hiking trails are awesome. Don't let the beginning steps fool you, the rim trail can be very strenuous," explains Matt G., highlighting the park's combination of swimming and hiking.
Wine tours: Base yourself in cabin accommodations for day trips to nearby wineries. "Location in the Finger Lakes region makes it a good base camp for winery tours," shares Chris D. about Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground, referencing the park's strategic position for exploring regional vineyards.
What campers like
Natural water features: Cabins at Watkins Glen State Park Campground provide access to dramatic gorge landscapes. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. The gorge trail is a MUST," recommends Laura L., emphasizing the park's signature attraction.
Spacious sites: Pine Valley RV Park & Campground earns praise for its layout. "Lakeside sites are spacious and reasonably priced. They have hayrides in the summer and swimming in the lake," explains Mark L., who has camped there for over 15 years.
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently spot native fauna. "We had four deer that were feeding behind our site in the morning," shares Mary S. from Chenango Valley State Park. Another visitor notes, "Beware of raccoons. They are brazen thieves here... Just don't leave your food out."
What you should know
Cabin variations: Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground offers multiple cabin options. "We went first time in cabin rental. Nice room, amenities, and fire ring. Small but nice little getaway," reports a visitor, noting the basic but comfortable accommodations.
Bathroom facilities: Availability and quality vary significantly between parks. At Robert Treman, "Bathrooms were nice. Sites were really flat with some tree coverage for shade," according to Kelly J., while at Salt Springs State Park, facilities are more limited in the primitive camping areas.
Seasonal considerations: Most cabin campgrounds operate from May through September. "The campground pool doesn't open until the end of June," mentions Jennifer W. about Watkins Glen, highlighting the importance of checking seasonal amenity availability before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families appreciate designated play areas at select parks. "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house," reports Mary P. about Chenango Valley State Park Campground, noting recent facility upgrades.
Kid-friendly activities: Organized events keep children entertained. "This is by far one of the best family oriented campgrounds we've ever been in... So many things for kids to do. From boating, to giant swimming inflatables, putt putt even a giant slide," shares a visitor to Pine Valley RV Park & Campground.
Biking opportunities: Flat terrain at some parks allows for family cycling. "Bring your bikes, the swimming is great and the entire swimming/boating area just underwent a major renovation," recommends Courtney Z. from Watkins Glen State Park, highlighting infrastructure improvements.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: RV pads vary in quality and levelness. "Pretty good restrooms/showers. Water spigots on the loops and more water at the dump station," notes Mary S. about Chenango Valley, while another camper warns that at Robert Treman, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers."
Road access: Internal campground roads can be challenging for larger units. "The roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," cautions Laura L. about navigating Watkins Glen with a 30-foot motorhome.
Hookup variations: Electricity is available at some sites but not all. "Electricity at about 1/3 of the sites," reports a Chenango Valley camper, while Salt Springs offers more primitive options with "basic camper cabins... fairly new and have electricity but no water or heat."
