Camping near Lake Hill, New York offers diverse options within the Catskill Forest Preserve at elevations averaging 1,500-2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-80°F, while fall brings cooler nights in the 40s. The region features a mix of private campgrounds and state parks with terrain varying from wooded mountain sites to lakeside camping areas.
What to Do
Waterfront recreation: Lake Taghkanic State Park provides swimming access at their clean beach area with boat rentals. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes Mellisa T. from Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Hiking to waterfalls: Access multiple trails directly from camping areas. "Nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls, which you take a short hike across state lines into Mass," reports John E. about Taconic State Park. Another camper, Colleen J., mentions exploring around Alder Lake: "Only a few had a short path down to the water. The beach was pretty full and there were a ton of people walking the path."
Local farms and markets: Within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds, visit seasonal farm stands. "Local shops just minutes from campgrounds. Walmart and other bigger shops just a short drive away!" says Robert M. about the area around Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. Multiple campers note the convenience of accessing fresh produce while maintaining a camping experience.
What Campers Like
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds provide raised wooden platforms. "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table," explains Christina M. about Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park. These elevated sites help during wet weather: "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
Creekside settings: Water features enhance camping experiences. "We had one and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee," shares Robert M. At Alder Lake, camper Nora S. explains, "There's no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream and we had a very peaceful weekend."
Wildlife encounters: The Catskill region offers opportunities to observe local fauna. "The Taconic mountains offer some great flora and fauna. We had several species of frogs and toads wandering about in the evening, giant millipedes were plenty, and even found a newt on our hike," reports John E. Children particularly enjoy these natural encounters, with multiple parents mentioning wildlife observation as a highlight.
What You Should Know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. "The place is pretty easy to access with paved road the whole way there except for the last 1/2 mile where it is very bumpy," reports Nora S. about access to Alder Lake. Lake Taghkanic State Park has a specific season from "May 6 to October 15."
Weekend crowding: Proximity to New York City impacts weekend availability. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," warns John E. about Taconic State Park. Another camper, Colleen J., cautions about Alder Lake: "The parking lot was already packed and cars were lined up along the road."
Variable site privacy: Campground layouts differ significantly. "A lot of complaints that up front the sites were too close together and this was true, but more towards the back was more spacious and private sites," notes John E. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, Ian R. describes it as "not a concrete pad haven and yes, there is mud," emphasizing its more natural setting.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly water features: Shallow swimming areas cater to 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. about Jellystone Park Gardiner. At Lake Taghkanic, Erin B. reports "2 lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment. "They have a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes," states Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. This becomes especially important during extended stays with children.
Recreation fields: Open spaces for active play supplement wooded camping areas. "There was a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming," Christina M. observes about Taconic State Park, making it "very good for easing on first timers."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. "Originally I thought it was the Thousand Trails campground so it was free. I think the regular price is $64. Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent," explains Robert M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, where you can find "dump stations if needed and a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
Site leveling challenges: Terrain impacts rig setup. "Our site was even and easy to level on," reports Ian R. about Rondout Valley. However, at Brookside Campground, Yolanda T. cautions that "tent site[s] are very rocky and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent."
Seasonal flexibility: Some RV parks offer extended seasons beyond typical camping months. "There must be new management because many upgrades have been made over the past year which include all new SWE (full hookups) street lighting, and campground markings/numbering," notes Scott about improvements at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, where camping is available from April through November.
