Camping near Hyde Park, New York includes options along the Hudson River and into the surrounding forests of the Catskill Mountains. The area's elevation ranges from river level at about 0 feet to higher-altitude sites reaching 2,000 feet in the nearby mountains. Summer temperatures typically average 75-85°F during the day, dropping into the 50-60°F range at night, with higher chances of thunderstorms from June through August.
What to do
Kayaking on the Hudson River: Mills Norrie State Park Campground offers boat access with rental options and a marina. "Kyack" access is available, according to Frank M., who noted the "peaceful quite well maintained grounds" with "boat access" and "marina" facilities.
Rock climbing at Gunks: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides direct access to world-renowned climbing areas. "This is a very nice modern campground with great access to amazing hiking and climbing in the area!" says Mollie R., adding that it's "located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area."
Explore historic sites: Interlake RV Park & Campground serves as a convenient base for visiting nearby landmarks. "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby," recommends one visitor who appreciated the campground's proximity to historical attractions.
Fishing opportunities: Look for stocked ponds at family-friendly campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," shares Kasey M., who also noted that "the nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more."
What campers like
Large, private campsites: Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers spacious, wooded sites away from crowds. "We LOVED our site (site 9). It was absolutely massive! The photo doesn't do it justice. It was set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site!" reports C.R., adding that "it still felt like a very private site."
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas with beach access. "We walked 20 min from our site to the beach across the 2-lane highway. The lake is clear and sandy (some rocks in sand on shore, but standard for imported sand)," describes Jess M. about Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Cool mountain breezes: Higher elevation sites provide natural air conditioning during summer months. At Clarence Fahnestock, one camper noted their site "is surrounded by forest, and is at the top of a small ridge above Pelton Pond, so there was a pretty consistent breeze (few bugs!) and the soft sounds of bullfrogs at night."
Creek access for cooling off: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers sites along a refreshing creek. Katie S. shared: "First trip to ease my way into camping!! Plenty of space, your car is right there next to you, and the camp store has every essential you could ever need if you left anything at home or are just stopping by!!"
What you should know
Bear activity: Be prepared for wildlife encounters at several campgrounds. Kane B. reports from Kenneth L Wilson: "It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear." Many sites require proper food storage.
Reservation requirements: Book early for summer weekends, especially at popular spots. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, Shelly B. advises, "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Free dispersed camping option: Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park offers no-cost primitive camping. "99% of people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for," explains Doc B., adding that it has "the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service."
Variable bathroom quality: Facilities differ widely between campgrounds. At Rip Van Winkle, a camper noted they "lost one star because the bathrooms kept clogging," while at Clarence Fahnestock, another reported the bathhouse "was very 'buggy' - and did not appear to have been thoroughly cleaned since spring."
Tips for camping with families
Water play areas: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive water activities for children. "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also," explains Amanda S., who visited with children of various ages.
Scheduled activities: Look for campgrounds with organized kids' programming. At Jellystone Park, Jennifer I. notes, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Playground access: Many family-friendly campgrounds feature multiple play areas. At New York City North-Newburgh KOA, a visitor mentioned, "Playground was large and in decent condition," making it easier to keep children entertained throughout their stay.
Private loop options: Some campgrounds offer adult-only sections for quieter experiences. At Rip Van Winkle, one camper shared, "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids!"
Tips from RVers
Full hookup site selection: At Interlake RV Park & Campground, RVers can access complete amenities for longer stays. "Great Campsite. Well maintained. Lots of pretty lots under the shade. Good for Families. Pool. Recreation Barn. Recycling. Some people stay here all summer," notes one visitor.
Security for extended stays: Gated campgrounds offer peace of mind when leaving your rig. At Rip Van Winkle, one reviewer appreciated "having gated security. My husband went on a work trip and left me alone for a few days and we left our rig to take the train into the city for the weekend and we had no problems."
Site spacing considerations: Check reviews for reports on how close sites are positioned. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, conflicting reports show the experience varies: one camper complained "sites on top of each other" while Inez W. countered, "If you are looking for a CAMPground, this is a wonderful place! The grounds are well-kept and the bathrooms are clean."
Cell coverage for working remotely: Signal strength varies widely between campgrounds. A camper at Kenneth L Wilson reported "no cell service in the campground," while at Rip Van Winkle, another noted "cell coverage was good for us to work (att & Verizon)."
