Camping near Stanfordville, New York offers access to both the Taconic Mountains and Hudson Valley region. With elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet throughout the area, campers experience milder summer temperatures compared to surrounding lowlands. Most campgrounds in the Stanfordville area remain open from early May through mid-October, with limited facilities available during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Hiking the Taconic Ridge Trail: At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, trails connect directly to multiple hiking networks. "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," notes one camper about this Copake Falls campground.
Fishing in local streams: Several campgrounds offer creek access for fishing. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "the pond is fun to fish in" according to one reviewer, while another mentions "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop... super nice being right on the creek--we took our chairs and plopped down in the water."
History exploration: The Stanfordville region provides access to significant historic sites. A camper at Interlake RV Park & Campground notes it's "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby." Another visitor adds it's "convenient for exploring the Hyde Park area, in particular the FDR National Historic Site (20-30 minutes away) and the Walkway over the Hudson."
What campers like
Waterfront campsites: Campers frequently highlight the appeal of sites adjacent to water. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, a visitor reports "Big sites" and appreciates that "The campground was nicely maintained and space was restricted between sites due to Covid." Another notes, "Great sites and bathroom, friendly staff, right next to the Hudson river."
Swimming facilities: The region offers various swimming options from natural lakes to maintained pools. One visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground describes it as having "Both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season." Another adds, "The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring."
Proximity to local towns: Many campgrounds are situated within short driving distance of charming Hudson Valley communities. A camper at Interlake RV Park mentioned being able to explore "quaint towns nearby," while another appreciated the "beautiful part of the country - the Hudson River Valley - with a good location for visiting the towns, villages and hamlets on the valley."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. A visitor to North-South Lake Campground advises, "Always packed, but always beautiful. Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here," while another suggests to "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds." Many campers recommend reserving waterfront sites months in advance.
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise. At Mills Norrie State Park, a camper noted, "It was situated right across the Hudson River from a highly active nighttime freight train route, and the noise from the horns and then being awake for a few minutes as the train clattered by."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facility quality ranges significantly between campgrounds. One reviewer at Taconic State Park mentioned "The facilities were just what you needed after a long day of hiking and swimming," while a camper at Mills Norrie described "an ancient bath house built during the New Deal in the 1930's. Not a resort campground."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for children: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools that are particularly suitable for families. A camper at Jellystone Park Gardiner reports, "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time."
Playground availability: Many campgrounds maintain playgrounds for children. A visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds observed, "This place had was huge and had a lot of things for kids to do. Our site was on the creek and we went with three little nieces who had a wonderful time."
Weekday vs. weekend stays: Family campers often report different experiences based on timing. At Jellystone Park, one camper noted, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there." However, another mentioned, "It can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go."
Tips from RVers
Leveling concerns: RV campers should check site conditions carefully. At Mills Norrie State Park, a reviewer cautioned about certain sites: "There are only a handful of sites with electric hookups and only one (site 51) is level. Some have a steep descent off the road, and there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs."
Full hookup availability: Stanfordville area offers varying levels of RV services. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, a camper praised the "Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite," while another appreciated "Wooded and private with full hook ups!"
Security considerations: Several RV campgrounds in the region offer enhanced security features. One camper at Rip Van Winkle noted, "Loved 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."
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