Camping near Annandale-on-Hudson, New York offers wooded sites in the eastern Catskills and along the Hudson River. The terrain varies from the riverfront plains at 200 feet elevation to higher mountain campgrounds reaching 2,000 feet in the nearby Catskill Mountains. Seasonal temperature variations are significant, with summer highs averaging 83°F and nighttime temperatures often dropping 20 degrees even during peak season.
What to do
Swimming spots: Access to multiple lakes. North-South Lake Campground features two swimming areas popular with families. Lizz H. notes: "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time."
Waterfall hikes: 1-2 miles from campsites. Taconic State Park provides direct trail access to Bash Bish Falls. Jackie G. reports: "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."
Historic site visits: 20-30 minutes from camp. Campgrounds near Rhinebeck provide access to significant landmarks. Jean C. from Interlake RV Park & Campground mentions: "It took me a while to identify a campground that was convenient for exploring the Hyde Park area, in particular the FDR National Historic Site (20-30 minutes away) and the Walkway over the Hudson."
What campers like
Proximity to multiple trail systems: Within walking distance. Woodland Valley Campground serves as an ideal starting point for accessing numerous Catskill hiking trails. Derek W. explains: "This is an excellent site if you're looking to explore the Slide Mountain Wilderness and a great place to prep if you're planning to go backpacking as well."
Waterfront camping: Creek access at select sites. Woodland Valley Campground offers sites adjacent to flowing water. Erica H. shares: "Water to play in right behind tent. I do prefer fire pits over the brick stove. This had the stove. More advanced hiking in walking distance."
Private, wooded sites: Variable privacy levels. Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers secluded tent sites. Katherine P. notes: "Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy, but some of the other sites were literally next to the road."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Plan accordingly. Many Catskill campgrounds have minimal connectivity. John N. from Woodland Valley explains: "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while."
Bears are present: Proper food storage required. Wildlife sightings are common in certain areas. Kane B. from Kenneth L Wilson Campground recounts: "It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear."
Weekend crowds: Book well in advance. Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially North-South Lake. Tara L. advises: "North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Swimming and recreation. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers facilities designed for children. Richard V. describes: "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities."
Platform tent sites: Easier setup and drier camping. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground features raised platforms. Rosie R. shares: "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
First-time family camping: Ease into outdoor experiences. Some campgrounds cater to novices. Katie S. from Rip Van Winkle notes: "First trip to ease my way into camping! Plenty of space, your car is right there next to you, and the camp store has every essential you could ever need if you left anything at home."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Limited at state parks. Electrical hookups are available at select sites. Rebecca Y. from Mills Norrie notes: "The campground was nicely maintained and space was restricted between sites due to Covid. Firewood wasn't available at the camp, had to drive about a mile to grab some."
Site selection considerations: Terrain challenges. Some campgrounds have difficult access for larger rigs. Kathy L. warns: "There's only one bath house with just a few showers and toilets. It's in pretty bad shape... There are only a handful of sites with electric hookups and only one (site 51) is level. Some have a steep descent off the road, abs there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs."
Reservations essential: Secure electric sites early. RV sites with utilities fill months in advance. C O. from Rip Van Winkle reports: "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite. Loved having gated security... Cell coverage was good for us to work (att & Verizon). Stayed 8 nights."
