Arden camping options range from rustic tent sites to motorhome-friendly parks across varied elevations from 300 to 1,500 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F while summer days average 82°F with occasional thunderstorms. The region's bedrock consists primarily of metamorphic gneiss and marble, creating diverse terrain conditions from level campsites to more challenging sloped areas.
What to do
Visit nearby lakes and ponds: Rondout Valley Campground sits near several fishing spots where campers report good success. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Explore hiking trails: Harriman State Park offers numerous trail options within a 35-minute drive from Arden. A camper reported, "A quick 15 minute drive from Beaver Pond, is Bear Mountain State Park. Here you can find some of the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town."
Apple picking and seasonal activities: Fall brings additional recreation options. "If you are in to apple picking it is a short drive and it is easy to get into town to take the train to and from NYC," mentions a visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
What campers like
Proximity to NYC with natural settings: Many campgrounds serve as bases for exploring both wilderness and urban attractions. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," writes a camper at Beaver Pond Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Several parks offer facilities specifically for children. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, one reviewer appreciated the "Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony). There were some organized activities which was nice, not as much as a Jellystone Park."
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons provides a different experience. "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great," notes a September visitor at Beaver Pond Campground.
What you should know
Limited winter operations: While some RV parks near Arden remain open year-round, services may be restricted. A winter visitor to Black Bear RV Park reported: "The bathrooms for our area looks well kept outside, but, closed due to covid. Other campgrounds have just stepped up the cleaning and remained open for convenience of the campers."
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds use traditional booking methods rather than online systems. At Black Bear RV Park, a traveler noted, "They currently only accept reservations over the phone. The person I spoke to was friendly and helpful."
Site quality differences: Individual sites at the same campground can vary significantly in size, privacy and amenities. "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," mentions a reviewer at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Tips for camping with families
Check for kid-specific activities: Some campgrounds offer regular programming for children. At Skyway Camping Resort, a visitor observed it's "a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites."
Consider swimming options: Water access varies by season. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, a camper mentioned, "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful."
Research bathroom facilities: Washroom conditions impact family comfort significantly. "The bathrooms weren't the best but we aren't picky. It was close to good hiking as well as a few wineries. Not a bad weekend!" reports a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Highway access considerations: RV parks Arden, New York and surrounding areas often require navigating varied road conditions. At Tri-State RV Park, a reviewer advised, "Ext 53. Straight at the light. Drive all the way down to the end of the road."
Full hookup availability: Several motorhome-friendly campgrounds near Arden provide complete services. "We stayed for 2 nights while traveling through. The campground is small and a bit rundown. The sites are on the smaller size. The gem is the beautiful grounds, river, and parklike setting. Lots of wildlife around. We had a FHU 30/50 amp," writes a visitor to Tri-State RV Park.
Site leveling requirements: RV campers should prepare for varied terrain. At Mountain Top RV Park, a winter visitor reported, "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
