Glamping near Blauvelt, New York offers a mix of upscale and rustic outdoor experiences within the Hudson Valley's rolling terrain. Most sites sit at elevations between 400-1,800 feet, creating distinct microclimates with cooler temperatures than nearby Manhattan. The region experiences temperature variations between 15-20°F cooler than city temperatures, especially in higher elevation campgrounds like High Point State Park where fall colors arrive 1-2 weeks earlier than surrounding areas.
What to do
Hiking to mountain vistas: Stokes State Forest connects to the Appalachian Trail with over 63 miles of marked trails. A camper explained, "We took a few pictures of the cabins in Shotwell. I wouldn't personally rent one, but I guess if your winter camping it has a little fireplace and will keep you dry and somewhat warm."
Lakeside recreation: High Point State Park Campground features multiple water bodies for swimming and fishing. "I spent two nights camping with my niece and this campground was perfect. We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake," shares one visitor.
Winter camping options: Several luxury glamping operations near Blauvelt maintain seasonal cabins with heating systems. At Stokes State Forest, "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation campsites feature wooden platforms for tent setup. A recent visitor noted, "Our site is easily the nicest—all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here. The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings set back in the woods a bit from the pad that you park on."
Military family facilities: West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area provides exclusive accommodations for military personnel. "We love that its a place specifically for Vets and active Military. Everyone is amazingly respectful of each other and the caretakers take such care of the grounds," reports one military family.
Kid-focused activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family entertainment with scheduled events. One parent mentioned, "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time."
What you should know
Seasonal bathroom limitations: Camp facilities vary dramatically by season, with many parks reducing services during shoulder seasons. A visitor to High Point State Park noted, "Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites."
Weather considerations: The Hudson Valley experiences significant temperature swings, particularly in spring and fall. At Mountain Lakes Park, a camper reported, "We went in November when there was a light rain that turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! It was certainly an adventure."
Reservation timing: Peak weekends book 3-6 months in advance, especially for cabins and yurts. Sites without hookups remain available closer to arrival dates. At Kittatinny Campground, "We showed up to our reserved site occupied by another group. The employees offered us a prime river spot due to the inconvenience."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites strategically based on noise preferences. "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," reports a family at Jellystone Park.
Wildlife education opportunities: Camp Glen Gray offers structured nature programs. A camper mentioned, "Great Camp!!! One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
Platform tent options: Many parks provide raised wooden platforms that keep tents dry during wet weather. At Mahlon Dickerson, "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most luxury glamping sites near Blauvelt have electric but not full hookups. A visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation noted, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Terrain considerations: Many campgrounds have challenging grades not suitable for larger rigs. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," reports an RVer about Mahlon Dickerson.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically by carrier. At Round Pond Recreation Area, a camper reported, "Just a note to other campers with T-Mobile, we did not have any service on the campsite, however just a hop in the car or a quick walk down the mountain for 5G service near the entrance off the main road."
