Campgrounds near Glasco, New York span from the eastern edge of the Catskills to the western shore of the Hudson River. Most operate between May and October, with elevations ranging from 100 feet near the river to over 2,000 feet in the mountains. Temperature drops can be significant during evening hours, with typical summer highs reaching 80°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to the 50s even during peak season.
What to do
Creek exploration: The Plattekill Creek at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers wading and cooling off during summer months. "We took our chairs and plopped down in the water," reports one visitor, noting it was "super nice being right on the creek."
Hiking from camp: Several campgrounds provide direct access to notable trail systems. Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground connects with multiple Catskill routes. One camper notes, "Got chased off by a bear... the hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear."
Swimming options: Lake activities are available at multiple locations from May through early September. A visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground described it as having a "beautiful beach but packed" during holiday weekends, adding the "lake is gorgeous and clean."
Stargazing: The region offers good dark sky viewing, particularly at higher elevations. According to a Lake Taghkanic visitor, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Campgrounds vary greatly in privacy levels. At Devil's Tombstone Campground, a camper noted, "We had number 17 and 23, and both times we could see our neighbors across the campground road, but not on either side."
Clean facilities: Campground upkeep receives frequent mention in reviews. At Mills Norrie State Park, a camper appreciated the "peaceful quiet well maintained grounds" with "showers always clean bathrooms also."
Convenient locations: Proximity to towns and attractions matters to many campers. One visitor staying at Interlake RV Park praised its location, being "close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
Platform tent sites: Some campgrounds offer alternatives to traditional ground tent placement. A visitor at Lake Taghkanic appreciated that "platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Service varies significantly across the region. At Woodland Valley Campground, a reviewer confirmed "no mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while."
Campsite terrain: Soil conditions and site features vary widely. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, one camper described their experience: "Campsite is flat and packed dirt instead of gravel, which was great."
Weather preparation: The region experiences significant rain during summer months. At Brookside Campground, a visitor noted that "during heavy rains water flowed down the roadways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas."
Bathroom situations: Facility quality varies by campground. At Devil's Tombstone, a camper warned that "the bathrooms are a glorified hole in the ground with a toilet seat, but if you need it, it's there. No sinks."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Interlake RV Park, a visitor mentioned the "sports complex and pool actually looked very nice and well maintained. There were kids everywhere."
Swimming options: Water activities rank highly for family enjoyment. One North-South Lake Campground visitor reported "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time."
Animal viewing: Some campgrounds feature small farm operations. A Brookside visitor noted "small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese" which children enjoyed.
Arcade spaces: Indoor recreation provides backup options during inclement weather. A Brookside camper shared, "I went last year with my kids they loved the arcade small but it's a camp ground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Larger RVs require careful campground research. A guest at Rip Van Winkle noted, "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite."
Access concerns: Road conditions vary significantly. When visiting Devil's Tombstone, know that "State Route 214 divides the campground in half, and you could hear road noises from our site, but they quieted down by 6:00."
Site variety: Campgrounds offer different levels of hookups. At Interlake RV Park, a visitor shared they "stayed there for 3 weeks for work it was quiet priced very reasonably for full hook up."
Seasonal considerations: Many facilities close earlier than expected. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground operates from "May 6 to October 15" while other campgrounds in the area may close after Labor Day.
