The Hudson Valley around Hyde Park offers a range of camping options within a moderate climate zone that typically sees summer highs around 85°F and lows near 65°F. The region sits at elevations between 100-500 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for campers to explore. Most glamping sites in the area operate seasonally from April through October when temperatures remain conducive to outdoor activities.
What to do
Water activities beyond pools: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers swimming in a natural lake setting with boat rentals available. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny," notes Mellisa T.
Hiking nearby trails: Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park provides access to multiple trail systems. "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible," shares Jackie G.
Farm experiences: At Brookside Campground, campers can interact with small farm animals. "Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese," reports David R., making this a unique addition to standard glamping amenities.
What campers like
Spacious platform tent sites: Platforms at Lake Taghkanic provide practical benefits during wet weather. "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," explains Rosie R.
Quieter weekday visits: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers more solitude mid-week. "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was," Katie B. reports, contrasting with typical weekend busyness.
Natural water features: Creek access adds value at some campgrounds. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," writes Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, providing natural play areas beyond constructed amenities.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and maintenance of restrooms can differ significantly between sites. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, one camper noted: "They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed. The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water."
Weekend crowds: Popular sites see significant increases in noise and activity levels on weekends. "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," explains Carrie J.
Site drainage issues: Some campgrounds have challenges during rainfall. At Brookside, "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roadways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas," observed David S., highlighting terrain considerations for tent campers.
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Jellystone Park organizes regular programming for children. "This campground is great for kids. It has an event just about every weekend with kid activity," Jennifer I. mentions, helping parents plan entertainment.
Swimming options for various ages: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers swimming facilities suited to specific age groups. "The swimming area is an absolute joke, unless you are 18 months old, and then its probably perfect. (Extremely small, extremely shallow, and some sand to dig in.)," notes Mo S.
Playground locations: Consider site proximity to play areas when booking. At Jellystone, "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up," Stephanie H. shares.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Check sewer connection details before arrival. One visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley noted "the sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," requiring a site change.
Signal access: Cell service varies dramatically throughout the Hudson Valley. At West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area, "Just a note to other campers with T-Mobile, we did not have any service on the campsite, however just a hop in the car or a quick walk down the mountain for 5G service near the entrance off the main road," Jacey H. advises.
Site dimensions: Larger rigs require careful planning. At Brookside Campground, they specialize in accommodating oversized RVs, which is "about the only thing it had going for it," according to one reviewer, though they added "the spots were spacious, particularly pertaining to tent sites."
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