Best Campgrounds near Hudson, NY
The Hudson River Valley region of New York offers a diverse camping landscape within an hour's drive of Hudson. State parks dominate the area, with North-South Lake Campground in the Catskills and Schodack Island State Park along the Hudson River serving as popular destinations. Campgrounds range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks with hookups, while specialty accommodations like yurts and cabins can be found at Treetopia Campground and Lake Taghkanic State Park. Most established campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with a few extending into November. Private campgrounds like Rip Van Winkle offer additional amenities including fishing lakes, playgrounds, and recreation facilities for families.
Weather conditions and terrain present notable considerations for campers visiting the Hudson area. Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly, particularly in the higher elevations of the Catskills. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds having limited or no connectivity. As one camper noted about North-South Lake: "There is NO cell service and just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged." Many sites require advance reservations, especially for weekend stays during peak summer months. Black bears are present throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. Some campgrounds have sites with steep access that may challenge larger RVs, as another visitor experienced: "There are some sites with an incline down to the site. That might give some RVs trouble."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Hudson area. Schodack Island State Park campers praise its spacious sites and river access, with one reviewer noting it has "lots of well-marked trails with great views of the river." Fall camping is particularly popular for the spectacular foliage displays. Lake Taghkanic earns praise for stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Weekday visits typically offer a quieter experience than weekends, when many campgrounds reach capacity. Proximity to cultural attractions adds appeal, with the FDR Presidential Library, Vanderbilt House, and the town of Woodstock all within reasonable driving distance. Train noise can be an issue at some riverside campgrounds, with one camper mentioning "the occasional freight train in the distance" at Mills Norrie State Park.
