Vermont's cabin rentals around Waitsfield provide year-round options for visitors exploring the Green Mountains. Located within the Mad River Valley at approximately 800 feet elevation, Waitsfield experiences cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with evening temperatures typically dropping into the 50s even during July. Cabin accommodations in the region range from rustic shelters with minimal amenities to fully-equipped structures with kitchenettes and heating systems.
What to do
Pond exploration: Ricker Pond State Park offers excellent water-based recreation without motorboat traffic. "The pond is serene and a great place to swim, paddle, explore, and fish. If you paddle or swim to the other side of the camp ground, there is a huge rock with a rope swing," shares one visitor who recommends sites 22 and 23 for optimal water access.
Fall foliage viewing: Cabins near Waitsfield provide ideal base camps for autumn leaf viewing. A visitor at Button Bay State Park Campground notes, "There are two campground loops to choose from. The first is where you'll find the lean-tos and the dog trail/beach. This area is super quiet, offers a bit of shade, and plenty of privacy."
Hiking to mountain views: Several trails lead to panoramic vistas. A Smugglers Notch State Park Campground visitor explains, "They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. Has great clean sites with multiple ways to access mount mansfields trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont."
What campers like
Easy lake access: Water-based cabin options remain popular. "There are many beautiful backcountry campsites right on the water only accessible via the water. Great local overnight spot with flat tenting, privies, and picnic tables," notes a visitor at Little River State Park Campground.
Winter camping opportunities: Off-season cabin camping provides unique experiences. A Smugglers Notch camper reports, "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March of 2019. 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."
Proximity to attractions: Cabins near Waterbury serve as convenient home bases. A visitor notes, "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!"
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Prepare for disconnection at remote cabin sites. A Ricker Pond State Park Campground visitor advises, "There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly. The pace here is slow, even by campground standards, but this adds to the charm."
Bear precautions: Wildlife requires proper food storage. At Camel's Hump State Park, a visitor mentions, "The designated primitive camping area is about 1.5 miles into the hike. 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)."
Variable shower access: Some cabins offer limited facilities. "Showers, which we did not use, were $0.25 for four minutes. There was a microwave and wash sink as well for dishes," reports a Lazy Lions Campground visitor, while another mentions, "There are only four showers for the whole campground" at Branbury State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water-based recreation: Families often prefer cabins with swimming options. A North Beach Campground visitor shares, "This campground is right on the beach! You get the best of both worlds at this location. Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain."
Historical exploration: Some cabin areas feature unique historical elements. A visitor notes, "The hiking trails are really good--they're actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover."
Playground access: Several cabin areas offer play spaces. "The small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," reports a Little River visitor, while a Button Bay camper mentions, "This is one of the best state parks in Vermont for families with kids, and for dogs."
Tips from RVers
Hybrid cabin camping: Some RVers alternate between cabin stays and vehicle camping. A Shelburne Camping Area visitor advises, "We had a 'big rig' 40' 5th wheel with 4 slide outs. Called them same day from Capital Region Welcome Ctr in NY, about 3 hrs away. They had a full hook up, pull-thru corner space for us."
Limited amenities at rustic sites: RVers seeking cabins should verify hookup availability. According to one visitor, "No electrical hookups to be found, so bring your solar panels if you want power. There is a ton of space between sites -- we could barely see our neighbors or hear them."
