The Catskills region surrounding Lake Hill sits at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature variations between valleys and peaks. Campgrounds in this mountainous terrain offer diverse experiences from lakeside sites to wooded retreats. Several seasonal operations close between October and April due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rudd Pond at Taconic State Park offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass. "There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," notes one visitor who caught "decent-sized largemouth bass" during their stay.
Swimming spots: Lake Taghkanic State Park features a clean, maintained beach area with clear water. One visitor described it as having "the best swimming experience ever," while another noted that "the lake is beautiful and clean" though there's typically a $15 fee to use personal paddleboards or kayaks.
Hiking trails: Kenneth L Wilson Campground provides direct access to multiple hiking trails. "The campground has a lake on site with swimming. We happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great!" shares one camper. Another mentions that this campground is "close to hiking trails and the facilities were in good shape."
Fall foliage viewing: Clarence Fahnestock State Park offers exceptional autumn colors. "We make a habit of going during the end-of-summer/fall when you can watch the leaves change along the hiking trails, go apple and pumpkin picking near the campsites, and eat some scrumptious apple cinnamon doughnuts and drink pumpkin hot chocolate," a regular visitor reports.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers secluded spots among the trees. "We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at this site... Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy," explains one visitor. Another adds: "Large and heavily wooded! Enjoyed our stay even on a busy weekend."
Clean facilities: Treetopia Campground receives praise for its cleanliness. "The bathrooms and showers are out of this world! Best of any campground we've ever visited!" states one reviewer who visited in late September. The campground underwent recent renovations that improved visitor experiences.
Lakefront access: North-South Lake Campground provides direct water access. "Clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails. Perfect Hudson getaway. Reserve very early for waterfront," advises one camper. Another mentions that it's "one of my favorite swimming spots."
Platform tent sites: Lake Taghkanic State Park offers raised platform sites that provide advantages during wet weather. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" explains a repeat visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the Lake Hill area operate between May and October. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground runs from "May 6 to October 15," with varying conditions throughout the season. One late-season camper noted, "The water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14) which was when we were there."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active in this region. One camper at Kenneth L Wilson Campground reported: "Got chased off by a bear. 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."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have poor or no cellular coverage. A visitor to Kenneth L Wilson Campground mentioned, "There was no cell service in the campground," which affects planning and communication during stays.
Site variations: Quality and features of campsites vary significantly even within the same campground. A Clarence Fahnestock State Park visitor advised: "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site... check out the sites online to get one that is private."
Tips for camping with families
Book early for peak times: Interlake RV Park & Campground offers family-friendly RV sites near Lake Hill, New York with activities for children. "As part of the Thousand Trails group, this campground has many amenities. It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes," reports one family. The site also features "a creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Look for educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programs specifically for children. "The campsite was secluded and quiet. Close to hiking trails and the facilities were in good shape," mentions a visitor to Kenneth L Wilson Campground, making it suitable for family exploration.
Consider day-use areas: Not all visits require overnight stays. A day visitor to North-South Lake Campground said, "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," indicating flexibility for family outings.
Choose campgrounds with recreation facilities: Clarence Fahnestock State Park includes multiple family options. "It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes," notes one family camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: For RV sites near Lake Hill, New York, consider advance planning. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a camper reported: "My first stay at any TT campground and I wasn't sure what to expect with this campground as the reviews are so mixed... If you are looking for a CAMPground, this is a wonderful place! The grounds are well-kept and the bathrooms are clean."
Utility connections: Pay attention to site details when booking. One RVer at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley noted, "The only problem I had was that my Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam. Oh yea, the sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low."
Length restrictions: Certain areas accommodate larger RVs better than others. Treetopia Campground offers specialized sites: "We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air... for large rigs they have some big sites."
Seasonal RV storage: Several campgrounds offer extended seasonal options. A visitor to Interlake RV Park noted: "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was."
