Cabin camping near Waccabuc, New York provides outdoor recreational opportunities between 400-1000 feet elevation throughout the Hudson Valley region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often below freezing. Many cabins sit alongside lakes or ponds with access to hiking trails within Harriman State Park and surrounding wilderness areas.
What to do
Swimming at beaches: Croton Point Park offers a designated swimming area with lifeguards on duty. According to visitor Anil S., "gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Hiking on marked trails: The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center has trails for all skill levels. One camper notes, "You are able to do a hike around the lake. They have both cabins for rent and camping spots on platforms which are great, especially when it rains."
Fishing in stocked lakes: Cozy Hills Campground offers on-site fishing opportunities. A visitor reported, "Kids caught about 20 fish" during just a two-night stay.
Fall foliage viewing: Seasonal color changes make October a prime time for cabin stays. One camper at Croton Point Park mentioned they "came in October to celebrate Halloween in sleepy hollow! This is a great campsite and reasonably priced."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained cabins: Kettletown State Park receives positive reviews for its cabin facilities. According to Elaine C., "The campsites are varied, you can tent camp, use a camper, or they also have a few cabins you can rent. Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!"
Meal service options: Some locations offer prepared food so you don't need to cook. One camper at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center stated, "One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef. The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio."
Family-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in scheduled events for children. A visitor noted, "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."
Peaceful water views: Many cabins offer lake or river access. Thomas from Croton Point Park mentioned, "Beautiful campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
What you should know
Reservation timelines: Wildwood State Park cabins fill quickly. A reviewer mentioned, "Stayed in a cabin on the lower loop. Went hiking all day. Kinda close together sites, but the trails make up for it."
Military-only options: Some excellent cabin facilities have restricted access. A reviewer noted about Lake Frederick, "This is a military-only campground but, that doesn't take away from how incredible it is and that is properly advertised."
Rustic versus modern cabins: Cabin amenities vary significantly between parks. At Sebago Cabin Camp, a camper described, "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge."
Limited cell service: Many cabin areas have poor connectivity. A Croton Point Park visitor mentioned, "Site does not have Wi-Fi and street address didn't work correctly with multiple GPS apps."
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment for rainy days: Weather can be unpredictable in the Hudson Valley. A Lake Waramaug visitor suggested, "Bring scooters or bikes for little kids to use within the camp."
Consider cabin size limitations: Most basic cabins accommodate 4-6 people maximum. One visitor to Cozy Hills noted, "Bathrooms are very clean but very far apart. The only downside was the real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw."
Select sites near bathrooms: When traveling with small children, proximity to facilities matters. A Croton Point review mentioned, "Only one or two bathrooms in the whole place so be prepared to go for a walk when you have to go."
First-time camper friendly: Croton Point Park works well for beginners. Kevin G. shared, "I took my 5 year-old-son and wife, all of us first time campers. this place was great. The site was very nice, all the people friendly and area beautiful."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups at rustic cabins: Most basic cabins don't offer the same utility connections as RV sites. A Wildwood State Park visitor observed, "sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site."
Storage considerations: Some locations offer RV storage options. A West Point FMWR Lake Frederick visitor mentioned, "The bath house is always well stocked and clean, ready for end of the day cleanup and the laundry facilities are a great bonus for those of us who like to stay longer than a couple days."
Parking restrictions: Many cabin areas limit the number of vehicles allowed. A visitor to Wildwood State Park noted, "Recently they became very stringent about parking to vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles."
