Middletown camping areas sit in New York's Hudson Valley region at approximately 600 feet above sea level, creating moderate temperatures that average 70°F during summer camping months. The area features a mix of deciduous forest and riverside terrain, with campgrounds positioned near both the Shawangunk Mountains and Delaware River watershed. Most sites remain open from May through mid-October, though select RV facilities operate year-round.
What to do
River activities: floating and fishing: At Oakland Valley Campground, campers can enjoy direct river access for fishing and wading. A reviewer noted, "We spent most of early spring at Oakland Valley right on the river... They loved to fish and play in the river, explore the woods and ride bikes around."
Hiking options: varied terrain: The trail system at High Point State Park Campground connects to the Appalachian Trail and provides multiple hiking options. One camper mentioned, "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake."
Swimming: lake access: Several campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. As one visitor to High Point State Park noted, "The slight downside was that we had to drive between the different lakes," highlighting that while swimming is available, some facilities require short drives between camping areas and swimming locations.
What campers like
Natural separation between sites: The wooded setting at Beaver Pond Campground provides good site spacing. One camper appreciated that "the biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor."
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance is consistently mentioned as a positive at several campgrounds. A visitor to Winding Hills Park reported, "Clean bath house, hot showers in a quiet and wooded campground. We slept like rocks!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting attracts various wildlife. A reviewer at Neversink River Resort mentioned, "The best part was at dusk when the animals came out!" This creates opportunities for nature observation while maintaining proper food storage practices.
What you should know
Varied water quality: Some campgrounds have mineral-rich water. A Winding Hills Park visitor noted, "The water smells a little like sulfur, so you may want to bring your own," suggesting campers might want to bring drinking water.
Off-season advantages: Many campgrounds are significantly less crowded outside peak summer weekends. A Beaver Pond camper shared, "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet... Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Site selection importance: Sites vary significantly within each campground. At Korns Campgrounds, a camper recommended, "We had a nice tent site (92) along the river," showing that waterfront sites offer the most pleasant experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured activities. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, a parent reported, "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."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include playground facilities. A camper at Winding Hills Park mentioned, "The playground has a volleyball net and other Normal playground equipment that I saw driving past it," providing recreation options beyond natural features.
Booking timing: Holiday weekends require advance planning. As one Winding Hills visitor explained, "Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season; Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Must book the entire holiday weekend 3 days ($90 for non electric sites add $5 each day for electric)."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: For RVers needing full hookups, options vary. A reviewer at Neversink River Resort mentioned, "The grounds are great. Certain loops/areas definitely better than others," suggesting RVers should request specific areas when booking.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring extra preparation. A visitor to Neversink noted, "We had to try 2 different spots bc some of them are VERY un level," suggesting RVers bring adequate leveling blocks.
Year-round options: Several pet friendly campgrounds near Middletown remain open during winter months. Black Bear RV Park operates year-round, though a winter visitor cautioned, "Unfortunately at this site, the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night," suggesting winter campers confirm all utilities are operational.
