Cabins near Danby, Vermont sit at elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet in the Taconic Mountain region where temperatures average 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys. Winter cabin rentals typically require four-wheel drive access from December through March, with many access roads remaining unpaved. Most cabin facilities close during mud season from mid-March to early May when spring melt makes forest roads impassable.
What to do
Swimming spots: At Woodford State Park Campground, guests have access to a 25-acre reservoir with multiple swimming areas. "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We had no issues with noise from other campers," notes a recent visitor who appreciated the natural setting.
Hiking direct from campsites: Winhall Brook Camping Area connects directly to several trail networks. "There is river swimming, hiking and biking on the West River Bike Trail, theater in the summer in Weston and wonderful towns all around," reports one camper who enjoyed the convenient location.
Winter activities: While many campgrounds close seasonally, Stratton Pond Shelter remains accessible year-round with winter camping options. "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great!" reports a winter camper who hiked 3.75 miles to reach this remote cabin area.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Dorset RV Park receives praise for its layout. "The campground was clean and tidy with nice tall trees. The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45' motorhome," explains one visitor who appreciated the natural setting despite some navigation challenges.
Clean facilities: Caton Place Campground maintains high standards according to multiple reviews. "Clean Campground and owners are helpful and friendly. Clean facilities," mentions one camper, while another adds, "Very well manicured Camping Area, clean updated restrooms."
River access: Multiple locations offer water activities, with Winhall Brook providing particularly good river options. "The river is a constant lovely background sound and is wonderful to swim or just play in," shares one camper, while another notes, "Beautiful campground. Lush grass meadows. 2 rivers intersect in the campground. Most sites are on or just off the river."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Many cabin areas have minimal or no cell service. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, one camper observed, "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect," while another mentioned, "We noticed lots of campers left due to lack of WIFI. Cell service is very limited."
Varying bathroom quality: Facilities range widely between locations. Gifford Woods State Park Campground receives positive reviews: "Bathrooms were clean and showers were hot. A pleasant treat after hiking." However, at other locations, aging facilities may be an issue.
Seasonal differences: Many cabin areas transform dramatically between seasons. "We unexpectedly had a free Saturday afternoon and night and 2 borrowed kayaks. This was our first visit to Woodford. 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," reports a summer visitor enjoying water activities not available in colder months.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Slateville Secluded Campsites offers family-friendly experiences with personal attention. "Heather made us feel so welcome by giving us a tour of the land upon arrival and then delivered us some firewood and let us be!" reports a family who appreciated the balance of service and privacy.
Kid-friendly sites: Choose locations designed with children in mind. "Great for families! there are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," notes one visitor to Woodford State Park, while another adds, "If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great!"
Swimming options: Look for locations with gentle water access. Camp Plymouth State Park offers "a huge beach and picnic area with a snack bar and boat rentals. We made a day of it and enjoyed the whole shebang! This park is especially clean and the staff extremely friendly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Dorset RV Park, location matters significantly. "We travelled as a group with family (4 sites). When we booked all our sites were right next to each other. When we arrived not a single one of us were even on the same road," cautions one RV camper, suggesting calling ahead to confirm adjacent site availability.
Utility hookups: Check electrical capacity before booking. "My parents paid for 50 amp electric and the site next to them was using it instead of the 30amp they were meant to have," reports one Dorset RV Park visitor, highlighting the importance of verifying utility connections upon arrival.
Access challenges: Some cabin areas have restricted access for larger vehicles. "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver," warns one experienced RVer who observed several neighbors struggling with navigation.