Cabins near Winooski, Vermont range from rustic to modern across the Lake Champlain basin. Waterbury, located 21 miles east, serves as a gateway to cabin accommodations in the Green Mountains with elevations reaching 4,000 feet. Weather conditions vary considerably from summer highs averaging 80°F to winter lows regularly reaching 10°F, affecting cabin amenities and seasonal availability.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Champlain: North Beach Campground offers direct lake access for swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking. "Burlington, VT is one of my favorite towns on the east coast. Camping at North Beach is a great experience if you want quick access to the water, and dot not mind the close proximity of others," notes Tarah W. The campground's beach features lifeguards during summer months.
Island exploration by boat: Paddle to Burton Island State Park Campground for a car-free camping experience. "There's a camping bistro where you can buy pancakes, coffee, local beer, and fine wines," shares Tara S. The 2.5-mile-long island requires a ferry or personal watercraft to reach, with ferry costs at $8 per person.
Mountain biking trails: Several cabin locations provide access to extensive trail networks. "Bring your bikes! you're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls," suggests Mackenzie B. about local riding options. Trail difficulty ranges from beginner-friendly rail trails to technical mountain routes.
Historic site hiking: Some cabin areas feature abandoned settlements and ruins. Little River State Park contains numerous historical foundations along its trail system. One visitor observed that "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover." These remnants date from early Vermont settlements of the 1800s.
What campers like
Cabin proximity to Burlington: Shelburne Camping Area provides convenient cabin options just 7 miles south of Burlington. "The grounds were landscaped well, and they were changing flower beds over to mums for fall during our stay," notes one camper. The campground maintains year-round operations with both basic and full-service cabin rentals.
Waterfront cabin views: Lakeside cabin locations offer premium sunset viewing. "The views of lake Champlain are amazing. Ex check in and plenty of amenities," shares Ronald C. about Apple Island Resort. Their cabins include terraced layouts to maximize lake visibility.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing at many cabin locations. "The campground is laid out in a very attractive way rather than typical straight rows. Lots of walking paths," reports Susan & Kevin W. Most cabins include defined outdoor spaces with fire rings and picnic tables.
Access to local food producers: Cabin locations throughout the region provide proximity to Vermont's agricultural offerings. One visitor recommends "Definitely recommend going to Burlington which has nice shopping and restaurants. Grand Isle State Park is nearby and has some hiking trails and there is a great biking trail nearby." Farm stands and markets operate seasonally within 5-10 miles of most cabin areas.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Summer cabin bookings require significant advance planning. "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance)," warns a Burton Island visitor. Holiday weekends and July-August periods typically fill completely by early spring.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Some cabins include private bathrooms while others rely on communal facilities. "The bathrooms in 'B' were just redone," reports a visitor to Little River State Park Campground. Most shower buildings require quarters (50 cents for 5 minutes common) and may close seasonally.
Accessibility considerations: Terrain affects cabin access throughout the region. "We were able to convince the staff that we could take a standard tent site, which was more than big enough," explains one camper about navigating site classifications. Cabin approaches may include gravel paths, stairs, or inclines that aren't documented in listings.
Cooking setups: Most cabins provide basic or minimal cooking facilities. "Due to COVID, mostly call ahead/pick-up or drive thru for many things...incl. delicious coffee in town at Village Wine & Coffee and AWESOME cider donuts at Shelburne Orchards!" notes a camper regarding local food options. Visitors should plan meals considering limited cabin kitchen capabilities.
Tips for camping with families
Beach quality assessment: Evaluate swimming areas carefully when booking family cabin stays. "The beach is nice even though rocky, the lean to sites are a great way to help keep things dry, and there were great accessible all-gender bathrooms," reports Season D. about Grand Isle State Park Campground. Rocky shorelines may require water shoes for comfortable swimming.
Playground availability: Some cabin areas include dedicated play equipment. "The small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," shares a visitor to Little River State Park. Not all locations maintain playground equipment, particularly during off-season periods.
Nature programming for kids: Several parks offer organized children's activities. "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," notes Jessica G. These programs typically operate on weekends during peak season (June-August).
Island exploration safety: For cabins on islands, prepare children for boat travel requirements. "No cars on the island. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans," explains a Burton Island visitor. Life jackets are required for children on ferries and watercraft.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers cabin alternatives when RV hookups aren't available. "No power hookups and no water hookup at site," notes Craig G. about regional campground utilities. Many Vermont cabins provide electricity even when RV sites don't.
Site leveling challenges: RVers switching to cabin stays should note terrain variations. "We got an error on our control panel that said stop! Power source is not correct!" warns one RVer encountering electrical issues. Cabin locations typically provide more stable power connections than RV sites.
Winter accessibility: Some cabin properties maintain winter operations when RV areas close. "Open year round!" explains Alyssa S. about Shelburne Camping Area. Winter cabin rentals may require 4WD vehicles during snow periods, with plowing services varying by location.
Parking considerations: Camp Skyland and other locations have specific parking protocols for cabin guests. "Great tent / RV / cabin site on an island in Lake Champlain. Tent area is a large field with cabins on the rock bluffs and RV row along the road," explains Patrick. Cabin parking may be separated from the actual cabin location by walking distances.