Camping near Gardiner, New York centers around the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge, with elevations reaching over 2,200 feet and distinctive white quartz conglomerate cliffs. The area offers both established campgrounds and secluded sites at lower elevations in the valley. Average summer temperatures range 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night, making summer the most comfortable season for tent and yurt camping.
What to do
Hiking at Mohonk Preserve: Access numerous trails with varying difficulty levels from several camping locations. "The surrounding area provides access to the spectacular Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park for hiking and outdoor exploration," notes a visitor at Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Fishing and water activities: Several campgrounds provide water access. At West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area, one camper mentioned, "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."
Local exploration: The Hudson Valley offers diverse activities beyond camping. "The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more," shares a visitor from Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
What campers like
Family-focused amenities: Campgrounds near Gardiner cater extensively to families with children. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a camper noted, "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."
Water features: Many appreciate the various water options. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," shares another Thousand Trails Rondout Valley visitor.
Natural setting: The region's natural beauty impresses visitors. "The campsites are nice. But that all. They have loads of events over the weekend but the weekend hasn't happened yet to check them out," explains a camper describing their basic but functional site.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Quality and availability of bathroom facilities differ between campgrounds. At Kittatinny Campground, one reviewer observed, "They have showers and bathrooms but they weren't very clean and we avoided them as much as possible."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from April through October or November. Jellystone Park Gardiner runs from April 16 to November 1, while Skyway Camping Resort operates May 1 to October 14.
Noise levels vary by location: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was. I really enjoyed our visit," reports a Thousand Trails visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water parks for kids: Some campgrounds feature extensive water attractions. "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," shares a visitor at Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Activity scheduling: Plan around peak activity times. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," notes another Jellystone Park Gardiner camper.
Site selection: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities versus quietness. "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up," warns a visitor.
Tips for RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. At Skyway Camping Resort, a visitor noted, "Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. "The 'trailer' sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump," explains a visitor at High Point State Park.
Yurt camping alternatives: For those without RVs seeking comfort beyond tents, yurt camping in Gardiner, New York offers a middle ground. Various campgrounds including Jellystone provide yurt accommodations with different levels of amenities from basic to luxury options.
