Cabin options near West Fulton sit at elevations between 1,200-1,400 feet in the eastern Catskill foothills. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, making heated cabins essential for off-season stays. The region receives approximately 40 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush summer landscapes but occasionally muddy access roads.
What to do
Fishing access: Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park features multiple fishing ponds stocked seasonally, requiring a New York fishing license for anglers 16 and older. "There are a couple of ponds for fishing, but if you want to swim you need to go over to nearby Otsego Lake," notes a visitor to Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park.
Waterfall exploration: Several waterfalls lie within 15 minutes of Max V. Shaul State Park, making it an excellent base for waterfall hiking. "There's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose," explains a camper at Max V. Shaul.
Cross-country skiing: Winter visitors can access groomed cross-country ski trails at multiple parks from December through March when snow conditions permit. "Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires. Owners Mike and Sherri are great," shares a winter camper at Frosty Acres Campground.
What campers like
Small, quiet parks: The less crowded state parks provide a more peaceful cabin experience compared to larger facilities. "The Max V. Shaul State Park is small and quiet - only 30 sites here, which are large, flat and sited well apart from each other," reports a visitor to Max V. Shaul State Park Campground.
Modern bathroom facilities: Many parks have invested in updated washroom facilities, enhancing the cabin camping experience. "Great campsite, cleanest facilities ever! Good adjustable campfire cooking rack. Friendly staff, lots of dogs, all on leash!" mentions a camper at Max V. Shaul State Park.
Private wooded settings: Cabins at several campgrounds offer secluded settings with natural screening. "Great place that's about 50/50 permanent sites and rentals. They have lots to do, the owners are very friendly and accommodating, the campground is one of the quietest we've ever stayed at," notes a visitor to Little Lake Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities close from late October through mid-May. "This campground is a secret gem. They have new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms. There's a playground, a pavilion, they do fireside jams," explains a repeat visitor to Max V. Shaul State Park.
Limited water access: Few cabins near West Fulton offer direct water access, requiring drives for swimming. "The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in. Nice beach. Also a place for showers and a bathroom and small place for food and extras things you might need for camping," notes a visitor to Glimmerglass State Park Campground.
Varied winterization: Only select cabins remain available for cold-weather use. "This is a small hidden gem of a state park where the only camping available is in camper cabins. Reserve one of the winterized cabins and come for a long weekend of cozy cabin time and quiet time outdoors on the winter trails," advises a winter visitor to Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Baseball-themed activities: Several campgrounds cater to families visiting Cooperstown's baseball attractions with related amenities. "Clean, modern bathrooms. Campsites were raked and ready for us when we arrived. Super friendly staff! 2 swimming pools, really nice playground for the younger kids, 2 baseball fields," reports a family at Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature recently upgraded playground equipment for different age groups. "This campground is your typical KOA in a pastoral setting. Being off the beaten track, and not actually in Cooperstown, it is very quiet except for the herd of cows across the street," notes a family visiting Cooperstown KOA.
Family bathrooms: Some parks now offer dedicated family bathroom facilities alongside standard washrooms. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept. The staff is friendly and helpful, and check the campground regularly so you can feel safe," mentions a visitor with children at Max V. Shaul State Park.
Tips from RVers
Tent site cabins: Some campgrounds place cabins in designated tent areas rather than RV sections. "Mainly an RV ground, but they have about 10-15 great tent sites back beyond the RV area. There are water spigots near all the tent sites and they are nice and spread out," notes a visitor to Country Roads Campground.
Limited cabin proximity parking: Several cabin sites require parking in designated areas rather than at the cabin. "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel," shares an RV camper at Country Roads Campground.
Elevation impacts: Cabins at higher elevations experience more significant weather variations than valley locations. "Very remote. Windy as all get out. Elevation about 1409 feet. View of the sunrise over the entire valley are awesome," explains a seasonal camper at Frosty Acres Campground.
