Cabin options dot the landscapes surrounding Starksboro, Vermont, situated between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,100 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal variations with summer daytime temperatures averaging 75-80°F, while overnight temperatures can drop to 50-60°F even in peak season. Access roads to cabin sites vary significantly in quality, with some routes becoming difficult to navigate during spring mud season.
What to do
Hiking from your cabin site: Little River State Park Campground offers direct trail access to historic homestead ruins. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," notes a visitor who explored with their family in July.
Kayaking and canoeing: At Button Bay State Park Campground, cabin guests can rent watercraft directly from the park. "Easy access to the lake," reports a camper who appreciated the convenient lake entry points near the cabin areas.
Winter activities: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground cabins remain accessible during winter with proper planning. A visitor explains, "Free of charge during off season, you just have to call a couple weeks ahead to reserve and make sure you park in the allotted area. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed."
Swimming options: Many cabin sites offer water access within walking distance. At Branbury State Park, guests note, "Across the street from the campground was access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night! A five minute hike- though it is quite a rocky, boulder-y hike- from the sites leads to a small river and swimming hole."
What campers like
Cabin locations: North Beach Campground offers cabin rentals with beach proximity. "Accessible, well priced camping, close to downtown and waterfront. Minimal sites on the actual lake, but the lake is extremely close and visible from sites," reports a camper who enjoyed both lake and town access.
Cleanliness of facilities: Cabin campers at Shelburne Camping Area frequently comment on maintenance standards. "Bathrooms were immaculately clean," notes one visitor who extended their stay for two extra nights after experiencing the well-kept facilities.
Nature programming: Many cabin locations offer educational opportunities. "They have a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," reports a visitor to Branbury State Park, highlighting the structured programming options beyond standard amenities.
Scenic settings: Grand Isle State Park cabins provide exceptional water views. "Unforgettable views, clean and spacious facility, minutes to Burlington, VT. There is lake access for kayaking, sailing, swimming and fishing," mentions a visitor who appreciated the cabin's strategic positioning.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: When staying in cabins near Starksboro, proper food storage is essential. At Camel's Hump State Park, a visitor noted, "The area had a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for eating and food storage (I guess Bear's are a problem there)."
Reservation timing: Waterfront cabins book quickly, especially during peak foliage seasons. For Button Bay State Park, a visitor advises, "Book early for the best sites. The waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake."
Seasonal closures: Most cabin facilities operate on limited schedules. A Little River visitor points out, "We stayed on the B side. The bathrooms were clean, the site was well maintained, and the reservoir was a great place to relax after a day of hiking!"
Pack-in requirements: For more remote cabin locations, planning is essential. At Silver Lake Campground, a visitor cautions, "We had a very relaxing and peaceful camping experience... 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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Silver Lake Campground provides play areas near cabin sites. "When the kids get tired from swimming they're a nice beach area and playground," notes a visitor who found multiple activity options important for family stays.
Swimming alternatives: Multiple cabin locations provide swimming options beyond lake access. "The grounds were landscaped well, and they were changing flower beds over to mums for fall during our stay," reports a Shelburne Camping Area guest who appreciated the pool facilities when the lake was too cold.
Educational opportunities: Little River State Park offers historical exploration opportunities from cabin sites. "The hiking trails are really good--the actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," shares a family who visited with five children.
Space considerations: Cabin configurations vary significantly between properties. "We had a lean-to site that was just far enough from the bathroom that it felt far. I found the site to be well maintained and for the rangers to be kind and help," reports a visitor to Grand Isle State Park.
Tips from RVers
Electric and water connections: Not all cabin sites offer the same hookup options. A visitor to Branbury State Park notes, "Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA offers standardized KOA-style cabins with more consistent amenities. We stayed in a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car."
Site spacing: RVers considering cabins should evaluate site density. "This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," reports a visitor to Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, comparing different cabin and RV areas within the same property.
Access road quality: Roads leading to cabin areas may present challenges. A Grand Isle State Park visitor mentions, "Don't freak out like we did - if you're getting to the campground from the north slightly past the campground sign there is a turn off from the right lane with a stop light to easily turn around (the road is divided)."
Seasonal considerations: Cabin campers arriving with RVs face different seasonal challenges. "Little River State Park offers direct trail access to historic homestead ruins but lacks electric hookups at most cabin sites, requiring RVers to plan accordingly for battery usage," notes a visitor who appreciated the reservoir access but needed to manage power consumption carefully.
