Glamping options near Montgomery, New York extend beyond the well-known Jellystone Park to include diverse accommodations for varying preferences and budgets. The Hudson Valley region sits at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,200 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Sites typically require reservations 3-6 months in advance, especially for premium riverfront locations.
What to do
River activities: Take advantage of the Neversink River. At Neversink River Resort, tubing is a popular activity with guests. "Tubing was fun. Bring bug spray," notes one camper, highlighting the importance of insect protection during water activities.
Kid-focused entertainment: Participate in organized weekend programs. Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities to keep children engaged. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," according to Jennifer I. These activities often include themed weekends specific to each season.
Nature exploration: Visit nearby state parks. The region offers access to multiple hiking areas with varying difficulty levels. "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," shared a visitor at High Point State Park, noting they had to drive between the different lakes.
What campers like
Water features: Enjoy amenities beyond standard pools. Jellystone Park has specialized water areas for different age groups. Amanda S. mentions, "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." This water complex provides options for families with children of varying swimming abilities.
Riverfront camping: Experience sites adjacent to moving water. At Oakland Valley Campground, campers can set up directly alongside the river. "Our location was by the river and did not disappoint. It was a rocky location but we didn't mind," reports Tonya D. River sites tend to fill up first during peak season.
Organized activities: Participate in campground-led programs. Many glamping facilities in the Montgomery area offer structured recreation. "This is a very nice campground for families. Has a lot of activities and facilities for campers," explains a visitor to Jellystone, highlighting the availability of planned entertainment beyond self-directed recreation.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Check campground maps carefully. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, site quality varies significantly. "Our site was even and easy to level on. Lots of locals and summer residents," reports Ian R., suggesting research before booking specific sites is essential.
Facility conditions: Expect variation in maintenance. The reality of glamping accommodations ranges from pristine to needing updates. A visitor to Jellystone Park noted bathrooms could be an issue: "They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed." This indicates checking recent reviews for facility status is advisable.
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for prime locations. The most desirable sites fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. A camper at Oakland Valley explained, "We spent most of early spring at Oakland Valley right on the river," suggesting riverside sites are booked months ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Balance structured and unstructured time. While organized events are available at most glamping sites, natural exploration remains popular. At High Point State Park Campground, Justin P. shares, "I spent two nights camping with my niece and this campground was perfect. The site was maybe a 50-yard walk-in and we barely heard anyone around us and had a real wilderness feel."
Noise considerations: Research quiet areas within campgrounds. Many glamping facilities have zones with differing noise policies. At Jellystone Park, a reviewer mentioned, "People tend to walk through your campsite constantly. Even adults with their dogs. The kids were around until about 10:30 or so each night," indicating some areas are livelier than others.
Bathroom proximity: Select sites based on facility access. For families with young children, location relative to restrooms matters. One camper at Neversink River Resort noted, "Bathrooms were far on this loop. There are little foot bridges that you could take to get to the bathroom easier (and closer) but they are set on people's campsites."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Expect variations in pad conditions. At Skyway Camping Resort, full-hookup sites offer amenities but may require leveling equipment. "Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi," mentions Jackie M., indicating the infrastructure supports larger rigs despite potential leveling needs.
Reservation limitations: Understand military-only facilities. Some excellent campgrounds in the region have restricted access. A reviewer of Lake Frederick notes, "Yes, this is a military-only campground but, that doesn't take away from how incredible it is and that is properly advertised." This highlights the importance of verifying eligibility requirements before attempting to book.
Hookup quality: Check specific site utilities. Even at full-service campgrounds, utilities may vary by location. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a camper observed, "Nice, quiet place. Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park," suggesting requesting specific information about hookup reliability and water pressure before arrival.
