Battenkill Glamping Resort: A Peaceful Retreat in Cambridge, New York
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On our first morning, I watched a mother merganser shuttle a line of fluffy babies down the Battenkill while breakfast burritos cooked over the fire pit a few feet away. We had nowhere to be but the riverbank, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
Battenkill Glamping Resort is a gorgeous 82-acre riverfront glamping property in Cambridge, New York, set right on the Battenkill, one of the most famous trout streams in the Northeast.
Open between May and October, this special spot provides everything I could want in a nature-inspired weekend: a cozy cabin right on the river, an onsite bistro, a wood-fired sauna, and plenty of privacy to just relax and enjoy our stay.
We visited in early June and had the riverbank mostly to ourselves, but the warm stretch from late spring through fall is your perfect window for fishing, tubing, and long nights by the fire.
Come for a weekend, do almost nothing, and leave feeling completely refreshed.
At-A-Glance: Battenkill Glamping Resort
Location: 935 State Route 313, Cambridge, New York, on the Battenkill River
Distance: 3.5 hours from Boston, NYC, and Montreal, and an hour from Albany
Rates: Vary by season and lodging type. Geodesic domes start around $150/night, riverfront cabins around $180/night, tent cabins from $185/night, and deluxe tent cabins from $275/night
Dogs: Yes, in four of the cabins
Kids: Ages 13 and up only
Website: https://battenkillresort.com/
Luxury Glamping in Upstate New York
What sets the resort apart from other glamping options in New York State is its diverse lodging options.
You can book a geodesic dome for stargazing, a tent cabin with a bit more room, a deluxe tent cabin with a full bathroom and hotel-grade amenities, or a riverfront glamping cabin, which offers the most privacy.
A few additional details made this spot stand out:
Provisions, the onsite bistro, served breakfast and dinner, so we didn’t have to pack a ton of food or go off property (although we couldn’t resist seeking out local baked goods and ice cream).
Board games, lawn games, and a lovely common area are a fun way to connect with other visitors or just have a little fun with your crew.
Complimentary bicycles and river tubes so you can stay active (if you want). Let me tell you, that river is cold in June!
A wood-fired sauna is perfect for relaxing after a day on (or in) the river.
A Riverfront Setting on the Battenkill
The Battenkill is a renowned trout stream, known for its native brown trout and brookies, and wonderfully challenging fishing. The water is clear and moving, lined with trees, and alive with birds. We saw mergansers with babies, ducks, geese, osprey, a bald eagle, and more songbirds than I could name.
Eric bought a one-day New York State fishing license to try fishing the river, but he came up empty (he wasn’t trying very hard).
The river was freezing during our visit, but we did spend some time walking upstream in the shallows and floating back down to our cabin. Be sure to bring water shoes or sandals for floating or swimming.
The Details: Lodging Options at Battenkill Glamping Resort
If you’re deciding between cabins, here’s the lay of the land to help you choose the right accommodations for you.
The geodesic domes are the budget-friendly pick and perfect for stargazing. Nearly half of each dome is clear, so you get mountains by day and stars at night. The domes are located at the back of the property, farthest from the river. They have a queen-sized bed, an electric generator, a cooling fan, and a Keurig coffee maker. Outside, there’s a picnic table, Adirondack chairs, and a private Breeo smokeless fire pit.
The tent cabins give you the canvas-walled glamping feel with a plush queen bed and hotel-quality linens, a step up from a tent and a step toward a hotel. Outside, there are Adirondack chairs, a gas grill, a picnic table, and a Breeo smokeless fire pit.
The deluxe tent cabins are the splurge: You get everything listed for the tent cabins, plus large decks overlooking the river and full bathrooms with rain showers.
The riverfront glamping cabins are the cozy, solid-walled option. While there’s no indoor plumbing, we chose this option for its privacy and proximity to the river.
Inside Our Riverfront Glamping Cabin
The resort recently reconfigured these cabins from two double bunk beds to a single queen, which makes them ideal for couples or solo travelers rather than families. The bed was exceptionally comfortable.
The cabins have both air conditioning and heat, though early June meant we needed neither. We kept the windows open so we could hear the river as we drifted off to sleep, and the birds singing to us each morning.
Inside, you get a microwave and a Keurig, so simple meals are easy, and outside there’s a smokeless Breeo fire pit for campfire cooking. There’s also a mini fridge, two frying pans, and paper plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery for meals. A complimentary bag of firewood is also provided, with additional wood available for purchase.
There is a faucet right outside the cabin with potable water for drinking, washing, and cooking, and the bathhouse is a short walk away, with free hot showers, hair dryers, cotton towels, and Beekman 1802 soaps.
If a midnight walk to the bathhouse sounds like a dealbreaker, book the deluxe tent cabin with a bathroom or a dome, which is closer to the facilities. We borrowed one of the resort’s complimentary bikes and turned the five-minute walk into a one-minute ride. Problem solved.
On-Site Amenities
This is where the resort makes the case for never leaving. Thoughtful amenities are provided so you can turn this glamping getaway into a true staycation:
- A wood-fired sauna on the property, with robes and towels waiting in our cabin
- A pavilion common area with a big-screen TV, gas fire pits, and cozy seating
- Lawn games, including cornhole, badminton, and croquet, plus board games
- River tubes for floating when conditions allow
- Complimentary bikes for getting around (and to the bathhouse)
- Wi-Fi throughout, if you need to stay connected
Eating at Provisions
Provisions is the on-site bistro and bar, with nice seating and a solid beer and wine list. During our early-June visit, the menu consisted of dependable staples: burgers, wings, and Roman-style pizza, with beef sourced from local family farms. Later in the season, the kitchen expands toward more farm-to-table fare.
It’s also a good spot to swap river stories with other guests over a margarita at the end of the day. Eric enjoyed a platter of wings, and I opted for fries (my weakness). We both enjoyed icy-cold beers and chatted with some of the other visitors. It was such a relaxing way to end the day.
What We Got Up To
You don’t come here for a packed itinerary. You come to do less. Our two days looked like this:
- Watching the sunset from the main river access
- Reading by the water
- Birdwatching (the mergansers and their babies were the highlight)
- Fishing, or in Eric’s case, holding a rod near fish
- Cooking breakfast burritos over the fire
- Sitting by the fire pit and watching the river go by
- Meandering the property on the complimentary bicycles
Things to Do Near Battenkill Glamping Resort
If you do want to venture out, there are two adorable towns just a short drive away: Cambridge is 4 miles south, and Salem is 10 miles north.
We spent a day in Salem, wandering through the Cary Hill Sculpture Park at Salem Art Works and exploring the Old Salem Burying Ground, which is the burial site of more than 100 Revolutionary War soldiers.
We explored downtown Salem, had lunch at On a Limb (amazing pastries), then drove to Battenkill Valley Creamery for ice cream. I got the maple walnut, and I’m still thinking about it.
Three historic covered bridges span the Battenkill in the region: the Eagleville Covered Bridge, Shushan Covered Bridge, and Rexleigh Covered Bridge. There’s a great (and a bit scary) rope swing at the Eagleville Covered Bridge, if you need an extra adventure on a hot summer day.
Planning Your Stay at Battenkill Glamping Resort
If you’re craving a peaceful stay that blends comfort and nature, this place is hard to beat.
It’s a great fit for:
- Couples and solo travelers who want to slow down by the water
- Campers who want the riverfront without hauling the gear
- Groups who want to rent several cabins near each other (the domes are an affordable way to do this and a stargazer’s dream)
A few things to know going in:
- Kids under 13 are not permitted due to the proximity to the river and unpredictable conditions. I think this is the right call.
- Dogs are welcome in four of the cabins. Book one of those if you’re bringing the pup.
A few tips for future guests:
- Bring groceries from home (or from the Cambridge Food Co-Op) if you plan to cook, and plan for campfire meals or something you can throw in the microwave.
- Take time to unplug. Though Wi-Fi is reliable, the peace and quiet are even better.
- Bring water shoes for exploring the river.
- Bug spray is a very good idea in the summer!
- Binoculars are useful for birdwatching.
If you want a riverfront reset that reminds you to step away, slow down, and enjoy the peace of the river, Battenkill Glamping Resort in Cambridge, New York, is a place worth discovering.
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Our stay was generously hosted by Battenkill Glamping Resort.
