The Catskill Mountains region surrounding High Falls, New York offers diverse glamping experiences at elevations ranging from 200 to 4,000 feet. Located at the confluence of Rondout Creek and the Wallkill River, this area maintains moderate summer temperatures averaging 78°F, making it ideal for outdoor activities from April through October. Winter camping options are limited with most sites closing by November due to below-freezing temperatures.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 5 miles from Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, visitors can discover scenic cascades. "Nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls, which you take a short hike across state lines into Mass," notes John E., who recommends avoiding weekend crowds for a better experience.
Field sports and swimming: 0.25 miles from your campsite at Jellystone Park Gardiner, enjoy community recreation areas. "This place is great for kids or diverse groups that all want to do different things. It's very family themed and fun for everyone. However, it can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go," advises Carrie J.
Crayfish hunting: 100 feet from certain campsites at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, children can explore creek ecosystems. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," says Kasey M., who appreciated the variety of activities available at this established campground.
What campers like
Clean swimming facilities: Lake Taghkanic maintains water quality standards throughout summer. "Very nice beach but packed. Huge parties at the picnic area. If your okey with all that then it was a great time," shares Taylor P., who visited during Labor Day weekend.
Platform tent sites: These elevated wooden platforms at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park provide a stable base for tent setup. "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!" explains Rosie R.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Multiple glamping locations near High Falls prioritize activities for children. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," Jennifer I. notes about Jellystone Park Gardiner.
What you should know
Bathroom availability varies: During peak season, facilities may be strained at some locations. "They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed," reports Elizabeth M. about her experience at Jellystone Park.
Weather preparedness: The Catskills region experiences sudden rain even in summer months. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain," shares Rosie R. about camping at Taconic State Park.
Weekend crowds: Many glamping sites near High Falls experience higher occupancy Friday through Sunday. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," advises John E. who recommends weekday visits to Copake Falls Area for a quieter experience.
Tips for camping with families
Pool selection: Skyway Camping Resort provides supervised swimming options for various ages. "Nice pool, this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites," notes Ron H., who visited during hot August weather.
Wildlife observation: Children can explore local ecosystems safely at most locations. "We had several species of frogs and toads wandering about in the evening, giant millipedes were plenty, and even found a meet on our hike," shares John E. about the biodiversity at Taconic State Park.
Activity scheduling: Plan around organized events at family-focused campgrounds. "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," Stephanie H. mentions about Jellystone Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Osa Trail, review camping pad locations before booking. "We had a great time staying here. It's a very beautiful campsite. There's lots of great hiking and activities in the area," Jared W. reports about this small, secluded glamping location.
Utility connections: Check connection heights and grades before setup. "Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting," Jason E. notes about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley facilities.
Rental considerations: Golf cart rentals may not be worth the investment at certain locations. "Love it here but renting a golf cart is prob not the best option $175 for 2 days and it only goes 5mph I can walk faster than that," advises Scott about Jellystone Park.
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