Camping cabins near Waterford, New York offer rustic accommodations in the Upper Hudson Valley region, which sits at elevations between 100-1,500 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winters dropping below freezing. Several campgrounds operate from May through October with limited winter availability at higher elevation sites where winter camping requires specialized preparation.
What to do
Hiking trails: Moreau Lake State Park Campground features over 20 miles of hiking trails for every skill level. "I love the spacious campsites. It's very woodsy between sites, so it seems very private. Bathrooms and Showers are clean. Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited," notes one visitor.
Water activities: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run offers multiple water attractions popular with families. "The kids loved love water attractions. Our site was large and shaded," reports a recent camper. The resort features both pools and water play areas, though early season visitors should note that "The pools looked nice but they weren't open yet because it was still cold."
Beach access: Woodford State Park Campground maintains a dedicated camper's beach separate from the day-use area. "We drove down to the second loop and parked on the side of the campground road and carried our kayaks down to the camper's beach. Our dog loved getting a little swim! (No dogs allowed at the day use area)," shares a visitor.
Mini golf and recreation: Lake George RV Park provides extensive recreational facilities beyond standard camping amenities. According to one camper, "Every facility was beautiful. We didn't even have to leave the park because there was always something to do." The park includes "bike trails, dog park, indoor pool, outdoor pool and another (new) water park with zero-entry pool."
What campers like
Private sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites at campgrounds near Waterford. A visitor to Moreau Lake State Park Campground reports, "Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed." This privacy extends to noise levels, with another camper noting, "We had no issues with noise from other campers."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high among visitor priorities. At Clarksburg State Park, a camper observed, "The bathroom was always clean, with hot showers." Similarly, Adventure Bound Camping Resort receives praise for maintenance: "At the office/store the employees were very nice and helpful. The public bathrooms were very clean but the toilets didn't flush very well in the 2 different bathrooms we went to."
Dog-friendly options: Dingman's Family Campground welcomes pets with specific amenities. "Great walking access to the river where you can launch your kayak/go tubbing or just go for a swim," notes a visitor who appreciates the pet-friendly policies. Lake George RV Park earns special recognition for its "2 acre dog park with shaded seating for humans, bathrooms and a dog wash station."
Level sites: Site grading varies significantly between campgrounds. At Adventure Bound, a visitor cautions: "The draw back is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level. If we stay in the same site again we would come better prepared." This contrasts with the more level sites at other campgrounds in the region.
What you should know
Seasonal popularity: Campgrounds near Waterford experience significant seasonal fluctuations in visitor numbers. At Moreau Lake State Park, a visitor cautions: "The park was not very crowded when we were there, but we can imagine it could get very busy and noisy in the busy summer season. The beach area seems to be a draw for people so the summer camping season is probably packed."
Cell service limitations: Clarksburg State Park Campground and surrounding areas often have poor cellular connectivity. "Like much of the area, there is essentially no cell coverage here. An area with wifi would be an excellent upgrade," reports one camper who suggests checking ahead for connectivity needs.
Proximity to traffic: Several campgrounds sit near major roadways. Woodford State Park has this consideration: "Again on Route 9 so not the quietest campground, but there are back sites that offer some more privacy if wanted." Moreau Lake has similar circumstances: "Nice state campground, very clean, nice staff. Campground and swimming area becomes very crowded, especially on holiday weekend due to proximity to I-87."
Winterization: Few cabins offer four-season use. At Frosty Acres Campground, a seasonal camper notes: "We stayed from April until October then decided to stay over winter. They have a small winter section. You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for children: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run receives high marks for family-friendly water activities. "This was our very first trip in an rv so I was a little nervous but overall everything went very smoothly," shares a first-time visitor who appreciated the family orientation. Another notes it's "Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions."
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for children. Lake George RV Park includes "playgrounds, cafe/ice cream store, nightly weekend entertainment at their playhouse, new waterpark and two pools, tennis courts, laundry facilities, huge store, firewood and a trolley in the park."
Kid-friendly atmosphere: Woodford State Park Campground stands out for its youth-oriented environment. A visitor shares: "If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great! Boat rentals!" Another adds it's "perfect for families! there are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tus, and a few (hard to get) cabins."
Budget considerations: Camping costs vary widely between private and state-operated facilities. One visitor to Clarksburg State Park notes: "My only complaint is that Massachusetts charges out-of-state residents 3x as much to camp." This price differential can significantly impact family budgeting decisions.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Adventure Bound camping sites require preparation for uneven terrain. "The draw back is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level. If we stay in the same site again we would come better prepared," advises one RVer who discovered this challenge during their stay.
Big rig accessibility: Several campgrounds have limited access for larger RVs. Privacy Campground notes: "We had a popup in a drive-through site at the bottom of the hill which was fine, though pretty muddy after a day of rain. With that hill there's no place for larger RVs here unless they were to decide to use the field at the bottom."
Generator policies: Generator use is restricted at some campgrounds. Moreau Lake State Park allows limited generator use: "Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours."
Hookup variations: Frosty Acres Campground offers full hookup options for longer stays. A seasonal camper reports: "Seasonal rates are excellent," making it a good option for extended visits. The campground includes water, electric, and sewer connections at some sites, though hookup age and condition varies across the property.
