The Catskill Mountains near Haines Falls, New York sit at elevations between 1,600-4,000 feet, creating cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with summer averages around 75°F. Winter camping options are limited, with most rv sites near Haines Falls, New York closing between mid-October and early May due to snowfall that averages 60-70 inches annually. Camping in this region requires preparation for temperature swings that can exceed 30°F between day and night.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: North-South Lake Campground offers easy access to Kaaterskill Falls, one of the region's most impressive natural features. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," notes a visitor at North-South Lake Campground.
Swimming and boating: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provides multiple water recreation options throughout summer. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," reports a camper. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground also offers boat rentals for those without their own equipment.
Stargazing: Lake Taghkanic provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities due to lower light pollution. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports one camper who visited in October.
Fishing: Rudd Pond Area at Taconic State Park offers productive fishing for largemouth bass. "Being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," shares a visitor to Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature raised wooden platforms for tents, helping during wet conditions. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection! The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring," shares a camper at Lake Taghkanic who camped during rainy weather.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept bathhouses with reliable hot water. "Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," notes a Lake Taghkanic visitor.
Access to historic sites: Interlake RV Park & Campground provides convenient access to historic attractions. "It took me a while to identify a campground that was convenient for exploring the Hyde Park area, in particular the FDR National Historic Site (20-30 minutes away) and the Walkway over the Hudson," shares a camper who used this location as a base for regional exploration.
Family-friendly recreation areas: Campgrounds often provide additional activities beyond natural features. "This campground is great. Lots of activities a pool access, food court and basketball courts," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley in Accord.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the Catskills have closely spaced sites. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!!" notes a Rudd Pond visitor. At other locations, privacy can be more challenging: "Campsites not private at all. Felt like I was sharing my site with strangers," reports another camper.
Campground access roads: Some campgrounds require navigation on tight, winding roads. "There are lots of trails to explore. Many unmarked. Campsites not private at all," shares a Taconic State Park visitor, highlighting both benefits and drawbacks.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate only from spring through fall. "We stayed here in August 2020... Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope)," reports a Rudd Pond visitor.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for premium sites. "Clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails. perfect Hudson getaway. Reserve very early for waterfront," advises a camper from North-South Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Campgrounds with dedicated children's play areas provide important activity options. "Big and spacious state park with many camping options... Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails... playground," notes a Lake Taghkanic State Park visitor describing amenities important for families.
Recreation programs: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "As part of the Thousand Trails group, this campground has many amenities. It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers. (At least they turned off the music at quiet hours)," shares a Rondout Valley visitor.
Beach quality: Swimming areas with gradual entry points work well for younger children. "My school friends decided on a camping trip since 1970's. We decided on Lake Taghkanic. Lake Taghkanic State Park was not a long drive from NYC, maybe 2 hours. The campsite was very clean and maintained. We loved the hot showers after a long day of fishing and swimming in the lake," reports a visitor.
Rainy day options: Weather in the Catskills can change quickly. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campgound. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," notes a Lake Taghkanic camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require careful leveling. "Our site was back-in and had plenty of space. There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river," reports a camper at Arrowhead Marina & RV Park, highlighting a location with more favorable conditions for RVs.
Utility placement: RV hookup locations vary between campgrounds. "This was my first stay at any TT campground and I wasn't sure what to expect with this campground as the reviews are so mixed... The only problem I had was that my Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam. Oh yea, the sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," shares a visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Site size limitations: Larger RVs face challenges at some campgrounds. "This is what I want for a Catskill campground. It is not a concrete pad haven and yes, there is mud. Our site was even and easy to level on," notes a Rondout Valley camper, pointing out both the rustic appeal and practical considerations.
