Camping options near Accord, New York cluster along the western edge of the Catskill Mountains at elevations ranging from 600 to 900 feet. The area sits in a transitional climate zone with warm summers and cold winters, with most campgrounds operating from April through November. Fall camping in the region features dramatic foliage colors, especially in mid-October when temperatures can range from 40-65°F.
What to do
Creek exploration and wildlife viewing: At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, campers can observe local wildlife along the creek that borders the property. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," reports Kasey M., who stayed at the campground.
Family-focused water activities: The swimming pool at Jellystone Park Gardiner provides water recreation options for various age groups. Amanda S. notes, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Lawn games and recreation: Multiple campgrounds feature traditional outdoor games. Ian R. from Thousand Trails Rondout Valley comments, "This is what I want for a Catskill campground. It is not a concrete pad haven and yes, there is mud. Our site was even and easy to level on."
Lakefront activities: Located within driving distance, Alder Lake offers water-based recreation options. "The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk. The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely," shares Erik C.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Despite offering numerous activities and facilities, some campgrounds maintain a peaceful environment. Jody B. from Jellystone Park Gardiner reports, "Nice. QUIET. Great pool with beverages for the adults.... Making this a yearly trip as well."
Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds that keep up with maintenance receive positive feedback. A visitor to Skyway Camping Resort noted, "Very nice and clean. Nice pool, this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites."
Full hookup options: For those needing complete amenities, several campgrounds provide comprehensive services. Robert M. explains, "Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground. Grounds has a pool, concession stand, game room, playgrounds, sports feild and more."
Access to natural features: Campers appreciate sites positioned near water features. Nora S. from Alder Lake shares, "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds feature closely positioned sites. Denise S. observed at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "Dirty, sites on top of each other. They definitely cater to people who bought into their campground."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and maintenance of restrooms varies significantly between properties. According to Elizabeth M. at Jellystone Park Gardiner, "The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water, some had no paper, hairs everywhere, the toilets didn't work."
Seasonal popularity: Visitation levels fluctuate drastically throughout the season. Colleen J. from Alder Lake notes, "We arrived around 11:00 am and the parking lot was already packed and cars were lined up along the road. We grabbed one of the three spots that were left."
Internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly across campgrounds. One visitor mentioned, "The Wi-Fi is also bad here. My kids enjoyed themselves a lot, and that is what matters, but I don't consider this a 5 star resort."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive programming for children. Jennifer I. states, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Kid-friendly glamping options: For those seeking glamping in Accord, New York with children, structured environments work well. Stephanie H. explains, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there."
Noise considerations: Family campgrounds can be louder than wilderness camping. "Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up. The kids were around until about 10:30 or so each night," notes one reviewer about their site near recreational facilities.
Off-season advantages: For quieter glamping experiences near Accord, consider weekday or shoulder season visits. One camper mentioned, "It can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: At Osa Trail, ground conditions affect setup. Jared W. advises, "We had a great time staying here. It's a very beautiful campsite. There's lots of great hiking and activities in the area."
Access considerations: Some sites require careful navigation. SJ W. from Alder Lake cautions, "Was not the easiest for my RV van to get up the hill with the ruts, but I have a small lift so it helps, lower clearance vans might not make it."
Golf cart rental costs: Transportation within larger campgrounds can add expense. Scott from Jellystone Park Gardiner notes, "Love it here but renting a golf cart is prob not the best option $175 for 2 days and it only goes 5mph I can walk faster than that."
Sewer connection placement: Pay attention to hookup positioning when selecting sites. Jason E. from Thousand Trails explains, "Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting."
