Camping accommodations near Beacon, New York range from state parks to private RV resorts throughout the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. Elevation varies from 800 to 1,500 feet across most campgrounds, with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than New York City. Camping season generally runs April through October, though several facilities operate year-round for winter recreation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots across its lake and ponds. One camper noted, "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards / kyacks etc. Worth every penny." Another visitor at Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park mentioned, "Being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water."
Historic sites: Within 30 minutes of Interlake RV Park, campers can visit the FDR National Historic Site. A reviewer shared, "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." Another camper confirmed, "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
Trail hiking: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground connects to extensive trail networks. One visitor explained, "The park rangers told us the plumbing had been re-done in the past year, so the water fountains and water spigots were in great shape and provided cold, clear water... There are a lot of nice hikes directly from the campground." At Beaver Pond Campground, hikers can access "the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic part of the region including the one to Doodle Town."
What campers like
Sunset views: Many campsites offer scenic evening views. At Taconic State Park, one camper observed, "Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on... You get a pretty decent view of Rudd Pond, and the sunsets are pretty."
Natural waterways: Campers appreciate the streams and ponds. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a reviewer shared, "We had one and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee." Another mentioned, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Stargazing conditions: Lake Taghkanic State Park receives positive reviews for night sky viewing. According to one camper: "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low." The rural setting of most campgrounds around Beacon creates good conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Weekend crowds: Multiple campgrounds report significant differences between weekday and weekend visits. At Beaver Pond Campground, a ranger noted that "during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Platform sites: Several parks offer raised tent platforms. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "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!"
Wildlife encounters: Bears are present in the region. At Beaver Pond, a camper warned, "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping." Another visitor was told by staff, "'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Mountain Top RV Park, "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children, and there's also a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games."
Off-season facilities: Pool and beach facilities typically close after Labor Day at most parks. One camper at Lake Taghkanic noted, "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful."
Close-together sites: At Rudd Pond Area, a camper observed, "The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors." This consideration affects family groups who may prefer more privacy or those with children who make noise.
Tips from RVers
Winter access: Several RV campgrounds remain open year-round with varying services. At Tri-State RV Park, a winter visitor noted, "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites. Next to grocery store. CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry. Perfect for an overnight stop."
Renovation status: Check current construction conditions at sites upgrading facilities. One RVer at Black Bear RV Park shared, "I would rate this a 5 when they're finished with the upgrades. Unfortunately there was nothing on this saying that they have limited spaces due to construction or that they changed the name."
Flooding issues: Some campgrounds have drainage problems during heavy rain. At Mountain Top RV Park, a camper advised, "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."
