Campgrounds near Ghent, New York range from rustic tent sites to modernized glamping experiences throughout the Taconic Mountain region. The area sits at elevations between 400-1,000 feet with seasonal temperatures that vary widely from summer highs in the 80s to winter lows below freezing. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, with limited facilities available during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Swimming at natural sites: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers a clean swimming beach that remains open throughout the camping season. According to a camper, "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny."
Hiking nearby trails: Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park provides access to multiple trails including connections to Bash Bish Falls. "There are plenty of hiking trails accessible directly from the campground," one visitor noted, while another shared, "Some great hiking here as well. Sunset rock was an adventure but a blast and nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls."
Racing entertainment: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills sits near Lebanon Valley Speedway, a popular destination for racing enthusiasts. One guest mentioned, "We needed a site close to the Lebanon Valley Speedway to watch a friend race. Our site #1A was a quick back in site with full hookups and a perfect view day or night."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground features elevated wooden platforms that provide a practical advantage during wet conditions. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" noted one satisfied camper.
Modern bathroom facilities: Across many campgrounds, clean facilities stand out as a priority for campers. At Lake Taghkanic, visitors appreciate that "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season." Another camper specifically mentioned, "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure."
Yurt camping options: Yurt camping near Ghent, New York is available at several locations including October Mountain State Forest Campground. "There are 3 yurts available May-October," explains one reviewer, who added, "Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Dogs are welcomed here!"
What you should know
Seasonal crowds impact experience: At Taconic State Park, weekday camping provides a different experience than weekend visits. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," warns one camper. "Very nice campground, but I'd avoid weekends. Not all, but some other campers were less than considerate of others."
Site selection matters: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. At October Mountain State Forest, "what site you get makes all the difference. There are Many, I would say most, Sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have background noise from nearby infrastructure. At October Mountain, "there is a station nearby that offers a constant hum and during the week there are trucks going in and out before 7am. The closer to the street side the worse it is."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Lone Oak Camp Sites caters to families with designated swimming options. "Two big pools, store, bar for adults with live entertainment. Tons of kids activities going on all day," notes one visitor, while another mentions it has "Lots of activities for kids... Super friendly staff, clean sites and bathrooms."
Organized activities: Campgrounds often schedule weekend events for children. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, "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!"
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playgrounds and open spaces for children. Lake Taghkanic offers "a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions vary: At Blue Mountain Campground, RV sites provide standard amenities but with limitations. Sites can be "very rocky and uneven" with some positioned close together, requiring careful navigation for larger rigs.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete services for RVs. Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provides back-in and pull-through sites with full hookups. One RVer noted, "I had a back in site and was having problems with my camper, and they were able to change to a pull through at time of check in."
Terrain challenges: At campgrounds like Lone Oak, the terrain can create leveling issues. "Be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies."
