Cabin accommodations near Barnard, Vermont range from primitive lean-tos accessible only by trail to fully equipped rental units with modern amenities. The region sits within the Green Mountains at elevations between 700-2,000 feet, creating cool evening temperatures even during summer months. Most cabin rentals require advance planning during peak foliage season when nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing by mid-October.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Camp Plymouth State Park provides direct access to Echo Lake with a clear trail system suitable for all ability levels. "Camp Plymouth has cabins to rent and there is space for group camping. The campground also has buildings to rent for large gatherings," notes one visitor who appreciated the park's amenities beyond just camping.
Explore Appalachian Trail sections: Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter offers rustic cabin accommodations along the Appalachian Trail with opportunities for day hiking. "There was a decent privvy onsite. The shelter was fairly standard but this stop had a great amount of tent camping around in spaces with decent privacy," reports one hiker who stayed at this backcountry cabin site.
Swimming opportunities: Multiple cabin camping locations provide water access for cooling off during summer months. "There's a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water," reports one visitor to Quechee State Park, which maintains several cabins for overnight stays.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Chittenden Brook Campground offers cabin and tent sites with significant spacing between neighbors. "This was a great site that feels secluded but isn't. There's quite a bit of space between each site so you can't really see your neighbors which is excellent," explains one camper who appreciated the layout.
Clean facilities: Cabins and amenities at Quechee State Park receive consistent praise for maintenance standards. "The bathroom is very clean. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters. There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in a RV. They also have several lean tos that you can rent," notes a visitor who stayed in one of the park's lean-to cabins.
Natural surroundings: Silver Lake Campground cabins provide a more remote experience with less development. "Lovely place, free camping, fire pits at the campsite, and access to the water. We camped in the off season, but in the on season there are pit toilets and campground stewards," according to a reviewer who enjoyed the primitive cabin setup.
What you should know
Pack-in, pack-out requirements: Many backcountry cabin sites require carrying in all supplies and removing all waste. At Silver Lake Campground, one visitor advises: "It's a pack in pack out campground so only pack what you truly need for camping the comforts are more work then they're worth."
Reservation windows: Most cabin rentals open 11 months in advance and fill quickly for peak seasons. Book early for any weekend between late September and mid-October.
Bear awareness: Branbury State Park and surrounding cabins require proper food storage. "Just make sure you put your food and trash away - there are black bears in the area!" warns one visitor who stayed in the park's cabin area.
Water availability: Cabin sites have varying water access policies. At Winturri Backcountry Shelter, a hiker notes: "Water was running when I was there in mid-August from a spring close to the shelter," but cautions this is not consistent year-round.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly programs: Organized activities provide structured entertainment at some cabin locations. At Quechee State Park, a parent shares: "Rangers also run fun programs for children - my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee.)"
Swimming options: Good Night Moon Vintage provides cabin rentals with nearby swimming access. "The trailer is very clean and the communal kitchen area is well appointed. Juli and Jim go out of their way to make everything awesome!" reports a family who stayed in one of their vintage cabin trailers.
Playground access: Several cabin sites maintain play equipment for children during daytime hours. Branbury State Park includes "a large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits. Definitely will be returning!" according to a family that used the cabin facilities.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Many cabin sites have limited RV access due to narrow roads and tight turns. For Chittenden Brook Campground, an RVer cautions: "Great tent camping area with good privacy at sites. Would be tough for any but the tiniest RV. No water."
Hookup availability: Quechee-Pine Valley KOA offers cabin rentals alongside traditional RV sites with more amenities than state parks. "This is a quaint campground with nice bathrooms. The owners were very helpful, meeting all of our needs promptly and always with a smile," according to one visitor who appreciated the RV-friendly cabin options.
Alternative parking: Some cabin sites offer separate parking for larger vehicles. At Gifford Woods, a camper notes about their lean-to site: "It was perched on a hill but we were still able to park and sleep in our van next to the lean-to."
