Lake Taghkanic State Park and nearby campgrounds provide glamping near Germantown, New York in the Hudson Valley region, about 100 miles north of New York City. The area sits at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,000 feet, with a typical northeastern seasonal climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Most tent and glamping sites in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with some cabin options available year-round.
What to do
Swimming at guarded beaches: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers swimming at a clean, lifeguarded beach. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny," notes Mellisa T.
Stargazing opportunities: Take advantage of the area's minimal light pollution. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," according to Seth K.
Waterfall hiking: Explore nearby Bash Bish Falls from Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park. "Awesome place to camp and then hike from the site to a huge waterfall," shares Lou R., though he notes bathrooms can be rustic.
Family activities: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured activities for children. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, "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," reports Stephanie H.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Many campers appreciate raised platforms for tent setup, especially during wet weather. At Taconic State Park, "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" explains Rosie R.
Clean shower facilities: Bathroom and shower quality varies between campgrounds. Perrin M. notes about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground: "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
Proximity to towns: Several campgrounds are conveniently located near small towns for supplies. Seth K. mentions about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, "The town of Hudson is also close by if you're looking to get some of the comforts of a town while you're out and about."
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. At Brookside Campground, "The pool is nice and they offer fun activists for the kids as well," according to michael A.
What you should know
Weekend crowding: Many campgrounds get significantly busier on weekends due to proximity to NYC. About Taconic State Park, John E. advises, "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends."
Tent site quality varies: Look for specific site recommendations when booking. Kurt S. cautions about Lake Taghkanic: "Beware of site G006. The grill at the fire pit is upside down, so it doesn't hold level above the fire. Impossible to use... My advice would be to take the sites on the hill, nearest to the bathrooms."
Seasonal limitations: Most luxury glamping options are available from May through October. Lake Taghkanic State Park operates from "May 6 to October 15" while Taconic State Park has a slightly longer season from "May 6 to November 27."
Site proximity: Many campgrounds feature sites in close proximity to each other. At Brookside Campground, David R. notes it's an "Older smaller campground," which creates a more intimate setting.
Tips for camping with families
Weekday visits recommended: For a quieter experience with children, consider weekday stays. George L. shares about Lake Taghkanic: "We went on weekdays which is not crowded. Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler."
Recreation facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, Jennifer I. mentions it "has an event just about every weekend with kid activity," while Amanda S. notes the "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone."
Family cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, consider cabin rentals. Taylor P. reports about Lake Taghkanic: "Labor Day Weekend stay... Very nice beach but packed... Cottage was great besides all the bees."
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds feature farm animals children can interact with. At Brookside Campground, David R. mentions "Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete hookups for RVs. Mary-Kate L. notes that Lake Taghkanic "Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins."
Site size considerations: Check site dimensions before booking for larger RVs. At Taconic State Park, Erin B. explains "Taconic State Park has a beautiful campground. No electric hookups, but plenty of water and tent sites are available with very large platforms."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide full sewer connections, but many offer dump stations. David S. shares about Brookside Campground: "Stayed here for a few days while on a week long trip. The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."
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