Camping options near Dover Plains cover diverse terrains with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet across the Taconic Mountains. Seasonal considerations are important as most campgrounds operate from May through October, with September offering cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. The region sees moderate rainfall even during summer months, making waterproof gear essential.
What to do
Hiking at Taconic State Park: Short trail options lead to natural features like Bash Bish Falls. "Great campground, friendly staff, great trails around it. Would come back," notes a visitor at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park.
Swimming in natural settings: Lake Taghkanic offers supervised swimming areas for families. "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins. Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails," according to a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies provide excellent viewing conditions away from city lights. "The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports a guest at Lake Taghkanic.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Many parks have updated their facilities recently. "The bathhouse was clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there," shares a visitor at Lake Taghkanic.
Watercraft rentals: Multiple lakes offer paddling options. At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, a camper notes, "If you have your own paddleboard or canoe or kayak, this would be a good place to use them. If you don't there are very expensive rentals available on site."
Yurt camping near Dover Plains: Some parks offer alternative accommodations. A camper at Mountain Lakes Park reports, "A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in. The area, as the name implies, is home to several lakes which can be used for various recreational purposes."
What you should know
Seasonal crowding considerations: Weekdays offer more solitude than weekends. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," warns a camper at Copake Falls Area.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and skunks frequent some campgrounds. At White Pines Campsites, a visitor cautions, "Also beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours."
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited connectivity. "It is possible to get a phone signal up at the 'lookout' of the hike," mentions a Lake Waramaug visitor, while another adds, "Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Supervised swimming areas provide safety. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, a parent shares, "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."
Game options for various ages: Many campgrounds offer recreational facilities. "The Gaga ball pit was great. The pool was nice, although, no seating due to covid. The camp store was convenient and well stocked," notes a visitor at Jellystone Park.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. "Night fell and the place turned into Margaritaville. The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place and while some have tasteful decor and lights, others not so much. Even 50 yards away from the RV section and I felt like I was in a dance club parking lot," reports a White Pines camper.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Multiple campgrounds offer electric and water service. At Lake Compounce Campground, an RVer reports, "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds have sewer hookups at each site. "Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," notes a visitor to Lake Compounce Campground.
Site selection tips: Confirm site dimensions before booking. "The first site they offered us has a tree growing in the middle of it, which really should be cut down to allow access," warns a White Pines camper.
