Fishkill sits within the Hudson Valley, with terrain ranging from 200 to 1,600 feet in elevation across nearby camping areas. Local yurt camping options typically operate seasonally from April through November, with sites in Gardiner offering water access and those in more elevated areas providing hiking trails with panoramic views. Winter camping isn't widely available at most locations.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Mountain Lakes Park, campers can access trails directly from their sites. "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it," notes one visitor to Mountain Lakes Park.
Water activities: The swimming areas at West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area provide family-friendly water recreation. A visitor mentioned, "We were very impressed with the playground on site! Unfortunately, due to our early start in the camping season the weather did not allow us to enjoy fishing or the beach or water hook ups, however all areas looked well maintained."
Local attractions: From Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, campers can take a short hike to Bash Bish Falls. "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," reports one camper.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Lake Waramaug State Park campers appreciate the generous camping areas. "Sites are HUGE. Bathrooms, water, showers are close by. You will almost always have a view of the water," explains a repeat visitor to Lake Waramaug State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Military families value the maintenance at Round Pond. "Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful. Military families should check it out!" notes a reviewer.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides activities beyond standard camping. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish. The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more," shares a family who visited.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many yurt camping options near Fishkill require advance booking, particularly during peak season. Sites at most campgrounds fill quickly from June through August.
Quiet hours: Enforcement varies by location. "The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We started our camping season off right with a quick weekend stay at Round Pound," reports one visitor about management practices.
Facility limitations: High Point State Park Campground has specific shower access times. "Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers," notes a camper who stayed at the park's Sawmill Lake area.
Cell service: Connectivity is limited at many campgrounds in the region. "Just a note to other campers with T-Moblie, 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," advises a Round Pond visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Taconic State Park offers swimming areas suited for different ages. "2 lIfeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of. Very short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls," notes a visitor.
Site selection: Choose locations with playground access for younger children. "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there," shares a visitor about Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Weather preparation: The Hudson Valley experiences significant temperature drops overnight, even in summer. Pack additional layers for children, especially for higher elevation sites like those at High Point State Park where evening temperatures can drop below 60°F.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: At Rondout Valley, site conditions can vary. "Our site was even and easy to level on. Lots of locals and summer residents," explains one RV camper.
Water and electric access: RV sites at Taconic State Park have limitations. "No electric hookups, but plenty of water and tent sites are available with very large platforms," notes a camper who stayed there with their dog.
Hookup options: Confirm exact hookup specifications when booking. "There are full hookup sites with showers, toilets, and trash service throughout the property" at many campgrounds, but specifications vary widely between locations in the Fishkill region.
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