The Hudson Valley region surrounding Castleton-on-Hudson sits at elevations ranging from 10-600 feet above sea level and experiences four distinct seasons, with camping season typically running May through October. The Taconic Mountains to the east and Catskills to the west create a diverse terrain for campers, with riverfront options along the Hudson. Most rv parks in the Castleton-on-Hudson area operate seasonally due to the cold northeastern winters.
What to do
Birdwatching by the Hudson River: Just a short walk from your campsite at Schodack Island State Park Campground, visitors can access excellent bird viewing opportunities. "Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region... Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle."
Mountain biking in the Catskills: Camp Catskills provides a central location for exploring Catskill mountain trails with designated paths for various skill levels. The campground serves as an ideal base for day trips to nearby mountain biking routes that range from beginner to advanced terrain.
Boating and paddling: Alpine Lake RV Resort features direct water access for various watercraft. "Peaceful for such a large campground. Waterfront sites worth the dollars! Bring your boats and SUP boards for lots of fun! Hikers and water enthusiasts will love this place! Lots to explore."
Swimming at public beaches: During summer months, the swimming beaches at Lake Taghkanic State Park offer a refreshing break from the heat. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten."
What campers like
Large wooded sites: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park provides spacious campsites with natural forest surroundings. "This was our favorite spot so far this summer. Sites were large and wooded. Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds near Castleton-on-Hudson typically maintain high cleanliness standards. "Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
Unique accommodations: Treetopia Campground offers specialty lodging options beyond traditional tent sites. "We were able to meet Betty, Treetopia's manager, who toured us around the campground and took us into each type of rental they provide for that special camping trip. They have RV sites, yurts, custom furnished treehouses with electricity, beautiful tiny homes with outdoor living spaces, completely remodeled vintage airstreams, and gorgeous private cabins!"
Stargazing opportunities: The low light pollution in the region creates excellent conditions for night sky viewing. "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."
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds in this area feature sloped or uneven terrain. "The terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are. Tricky footing for older folks like my wife and I. Particularly since my wife uses a cane."
Reservation requirements: Book well in advance for summer weekends and fall foliage season. Many rv parks near Castleton-on-Hudson fill completely during peak periods, especially for riverside or lakefront sites.
Weather preparedness: The Hudson Valley experiences variable weather patterns. "We stayed 3 nights with 2 buddies... Weather was warm, so we were mostly trying our best to stay cool."
Neighborhood day-use crowds: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground sees significant day-use traffic on weekends. "Labor Day Weekend stay. A lot of people! Very nice beach but packed. Huge parties at the picnic area. If you're okay with all that then it was a great time."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation options: Campgrounds with multiple activities keep children entertained. "The park offered many activities or just sit around the campsite drinking beers and reminiscing our youth days. We went on weekdays which is not crowded."
Consider platform tent sites: These provide advantages during wet weather. "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!"
Check bathroom accessibility: Not all facilities accommodate mobility challenges. "I was hoping to be able to use the bathrooms and showers since I broke my foot and in a walking boot and using a shower chair. But not only were they yuk there were absolutely no handicap stalls in the closest bathroom and I'm (newly) in a walking boot and needed a hand rail."
Choose midweek visits when possible: For a quieter family experience with fewer crowds. "We went on weekdays which is not crowded. Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler and refilling our beers."
Tips from RVers
Deck sites for smaller rigs: Some rv parks near Castleton-on-Hudson have specialty sites. "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."
Road conditions: Access roads to campgrounds may present challenges. "Fabulous stay! The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once you're in the loop things are smooth!"
Site selection for larger rigs: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park accommodates larger RVs effectively. "This was one of our favorite campgrounds of our cross-country trip. Our site was back-in and had plenty of space. There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river."
Spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have more privacy between sites than others. "The site was SO spacious and felt secluded because of all the nature and greenery. Bathrooms are clean and the water is very cold!"
