Camping options near Ancramdale extend beyond Lake Taghkanic and Taconic State Parks. The region sits in the Hudson Valley at elevations between 600-1,000 feet with cold, snowy winters and moderate summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited availability during spring mud season when trails can become difficult to navigate.
What to do
Hiking trails with waterfalls: Access Bash Bish Falls directly from camping areas at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park. "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible," notes one visitor.
Swimming in natural settings: Natural swimming areas provide alternatives to developed beaches. "This campground was one of the best I've been to. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Yurt camping options: Find yurt accommodations at October Mountain State Forest Campground just across the Massachusetts border. "There are 3 yurts available May-October (no dogs allowed in the yurts). There are several tent sits available. Dogs are welcomed here! Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table," explains a visitor who enjoyed yurt camping near Ancramdale.
Water sports: Many lakes offer boating opportunities beyond swimming. "If you like lakes and water sports, make sure you target this place. Great for kayaking, canoeing, water skiing and more! People were fishing and swimming," shares a camper from Lake Waramaug State Park.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Raised platforms help during inclement weather at several campgrounds. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection," reports a Lake Taghkanic visitor.
Clean shower facilities: Hot showers remain operational through late season. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there," notes a visitor at Lake Taghkanic.
Stargazing opportunities: Low light pollution allows excellent night sky viewing. At Woodland Hills, "We rented a rustic campsite for a long weekend and it was way better than expected. The staff was helpful, the site was pretty and there are so many places to hike and the best of the Berkshires so close by," according to a recent camper.
Quiet weekday camping: Mid-week stays offer more privacy at most locations. "This campground was very clean and maintained. We loved the hot showers after a long day of fishing and swimming in the lake. We went on weekdays which is not crowded," explains a Lake Taghkanic visitor.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campsite locations vary significantly in privacy and terrain. At October Mountain State Forest, "what site you get makes all the difference. There are Many, I would say most, Sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Weekend crowds: Friday through Sunday brings larger groups. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends. The staff was friendly and helpful," warns a Taconic State Park visitor.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal connectivity. "Plan on bringing your own food and cooking. It is a 10 mile drive that takes about a half an hour to complete to get any take-out," advises a camper from Lake Waramaug.
Noise sources: Some campgrounds have unexpected sound issues. "A clean and for the most part quiet camp spot. However it is near an electrical plant that has a hum all day & night—makes for great white noise when sleeping," notes an October Mountain camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Some locations specialize in children's programs. Jellystone Park Gardiner "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. The campground had a lot of activities but some were repetitive."
Swimming areas for different ages: Pool depths vary by location. "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the swimming water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also," explains a visitor to Jellystone Park.
Farm animal experiences: Some campgrounds feature small farms. At Brookside Campground, visitors note "Quaint little campground, nice pool, large activities field, some things for kids to do. Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese."
Playground proximity considerations: Site selection affects noise levels. "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up," cautions a Jellystone visitor.
Tips from RVers
Deck sites for small rigs: Elevated camping spots work well for compact vehicles. "We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air," shares a visitor at Treetopia Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain varies across campgrounds. "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are. Friendly hosts," notes a Woodland Hills camper.
Late check-in availability: Some locations accommodate evening arrivals. At Woodland Hills, visitors appreciate that "They allow late check ins!"
Hookup variations: Electrical service differs by site. "Although sites are squeezed in, it is a nice family campground. However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow," reports a Woodland Hills visitor.
