Camping options near Craryville, New York range from primitive backcountry sites to fully equipped RV parks. The area sits within the Taconic Mountains at elevations between 700 and 2,000 feet, creating varied camping terrain with distinct microclimates. Summer evenings often drop below 60°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s, requiring campers to pack appropriate layers.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: The 1.5 mile trail to Bash Bish Falls from Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park offers accessible terrain for most ability levels. "Great place for First Timers... This location was very accessible to the Bish Bash Falls trail and even had a few side trails to explore," notes Christina M.
Swimming in natural settings: The designated swimming area at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground includes both shallow and deep water sections for swimmers of different abilities. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports Seth K.
Field sports and games: Multiple campgrounds maintain open recreation areas for group activities. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, "They have a pond for swimming and softball field. They allow late check ins!"
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Elevated camping platforms at several campgrounds protect tents from wet ground during rainy periods. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection! The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring," writes Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diverse forest habitat supports various animal species that campers frequently observe. "The taconic mountains offer some great flora and fauna. We had several species of frogs and toads wandering about in the evening, giant millipedes were plenty, and even found a meet on our hike," describes John E. about his stay at North-South Lake Campground.
Pet-friendly policies: Most area campgrounds welcome dogs with proper vaccination records. At Copake Falls Area, "If you are traveling with a dog, be sure to bring proof of rabies— they ask," advises Erin B.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds have open layouts while others offer more secluded options. "I can here to spend time with friends and i feel like we got lucky with our site. It had a nice wooded area behind us and felt more private than some of the other site," explains Emily F.
Terrain challenges: The mountainous setting means many campgrounds have sloped sites. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or leave sights are," reports Ray P.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking backcountry experiences, Alander Trail Camground offers a more remote setting. "You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots... They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box," explains Kay D.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming alternatives: Beyond lakes, several campgrounds offer additional water features. "This park had a nice pool and used to be a KOA now it is privately owned but I believe it is still just as nice. They have live music and it's gated so only campers and visitors can get into the gates which is nice security wise," reports Amanda S. about Copake Camping Resort.
Check for organized activities: Weekend events provide additional entertainment for younger campers. "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast. They also had a community 'Father's Day' breakfast (fathers ate free!) which was open to all and yummy!" shares Kat about Spacious Skies Woodland Hills.
Choose shower-equipped facilities: After outdoor activities, shower access becomes important for families. "The facilities were just what you needed after a long day of hiking and swimming," notes Jackie G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV campers should research specific site dimensions and layouts. "This is a larger campground, with large sites" but advised bringing your own water as "the running water they provide doesn't taste the best," notes a visitor to Taconic State Park.
Terrain navigation: The mountainous setting creates challenges for larger rigs. "Although sites are squeezed in, it is a nice family campground. However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow," warns Ray P. about Spacious Skies Woodland Hills.
Check seasonal availability: Most RV facilities operate on limited schedules. "Our site was shady and long. There is a farmers market not far away every Sat. 9-1. Harney and Sons teas is a short 20 min drive," mentions April L., highlighting additional attractions near camping options.
Ranger
