Campsites near Hudson, New York provide year-round access to both the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River Valley. The region sits at elevations ranging from 150 feet along the Hudson River to over 3,000 feet in the western Catskills, creating diverse camping microclimates. Fall camping season extends longer than many realize, with Taconic State Park operating until late November when temperatures typically range from 30-50°F.
What to Do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, trails lead directly to Bash Bish Falls. "The facilities were just what you needed after a long day of hiking and swimming," notes Jackie G. The waterfall area offers swimming opportunities during low water periods when "we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible."
Family water activities: North-South Lake Campground provides dual lakes for recreation. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares Lizz H. The campground offers "boating, showers, great hiking" according to Becky G., making it versatile for varied interests.
Stargazing: Lake Taghkanic State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports Seth K., who visited during the final weekend of the camping season in mid-October.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Schodack Island State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The bathrooms have good showers and were very clean during our stay. There is also a dishwasher sink and even bookshelves with books available to borrow," notes Kevin C. Another camper mentions it has "the cleanest bathrooms and shower facilities of any place I have ever been."
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between sites at Schodack Island. "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen," reports Kara W. The state park design includes "dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers," making it feel less crowded even when full.
Specialty accommodations: Treetopia Campground offers unique lodging beyond typical tents and RVs. "They have RV sites, yurts, custom furnished treehouses with electricity, beautiful tiny homes with outdoor living spaces, completely remodeled vintage airstreams, and gorgeous private cabins," according to Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure.
What You Should Know
Water management: Some campgrounds experience drainage issues during storms. At Brookside Campground, "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas," observed David S. after experiencing hurricane remnants.
Advance planning required: Many campgrounds fill completely, especially for summer weekends and holidays. "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," recommends Tara L. about North-South Lake. Another camper advises to "Reserve very early for waterfront" sites at the same location.
Site selection matters: Not all campsites offer equal experiences. At Lake Taghkanic, one camper warns, "beware of site G006. The grill at the fire pit is upside down, so it doesn't hold level above the fire." The same camper recommends taking "sites on the hill, nearest to the bathrooms, as all these sites seemed to be generally very well maintained."
Tips for Camping with Families
Recreation options: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds provides multiple activities for children. "This place had was huge and had a lot of things for kids to do," notes Amanda. Another camper mentions it has "a great pool and a lot of amenities" that families appreciate.
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds incorporate farm animals for educational experiences. At Brookside Campground, visitors mention "goats, cow, chickens, ducks, geese" on a "small farm right next to our site." Michael A. shares that "They have animals the kids can go check out," making it educational for younger campers.
Weather preparedness: The region's quick-forming storms require extra planning with children. At Whip O Will Campsites, staff check on campers during weather events. One visitor reported, "After the storm, the staff came out to check on us individually to make sure we were okay!"
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: RV sites vary significantly in access and positioning. At Treetopia, one RVer recommends "the deck sites to people small to moderate sized RVs and for large rigs they have some big sites." These elevated deck sites provide enhanced outdoor living space separate from the camping pad.
Hookup specifics: Understand exactly what utilities are available at each campground. Schodack Island offers "30/50 amp electricity. There are several water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out," according to one RVer, but no sewer connections at individual sites.
Connectivity options: For working remotely, cell service varies widely. One full-time RVer at Schodack Island reports, "ATT and Verizon fluctuate between 1-3 bars. It was enough for me to work - downloading files, sending emails, and conducting non-video zoom calls. At night we were able to stream with just a little buffering."
