Camping cabins near Philmont, New York range in elevation from 500-1,000 feet above sea level, experiencing warm summers and cold winters with significant snowfall from December through March. The surrounding Taconic Mountains and Hudson Valley offer forested campsites with predominantly oak, maple, and pine tree coverage. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with several locations situated near creeks or small lakes.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Taconic State Park, the Bash Bish Falls trail connects directly to the campground. "There's also a nice bike trail to go on too!" according to one camper. The hiking trails showcase the region's diverse plant and animal life, with one visitor noting they "had several species of frogs and toads wandering about in the evening, giant millipedes were plenty, and even found a meet on our hike."
Swimming in managed areas: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers "a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low." One visitor mentioned "the swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock," while another appreciated that "the lake is beautiful and clean."
Mini golf and outdoor games: Brook N Wood Family Campground features "a cute mini golf area" and "lots of space to run around." For families seeking additional recreational activities, the campground provides "a great heated pool that our little one loved." The activity options complement the quieter nature of the facility, which one camper described as having "very well kept" grounds.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms with hot showers. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, one camper noted "bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season." Another visitor commented that "the cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is" but generally found that "showers are hot and there's great water pressure."
Platform tent sites: Elevated platforms at several campgrounds provide practical benefits during wet weather. One camper at Taconic State Park shared that "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." At Lake Taghkanic, another visitor explained that "the platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" when it rained.
Location near attractions: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds benefits from its central position for regional exploration. "The campground is centrally located to many things to do. Minnewaska state park was gorgeous, and the hikes around Kaaterskill as well," wrote one visitor. Another camper mentioned the convenience of day trips: "We left our rig to take the train (about 1 hr away in Poukeepsie) into the city for the weekend and we had no problems."
What you should know
Proximity to power infrastructure: Some campgrounds have electrical substations nearby that create ambient noise. A visitor to October Mountain State Forest reported that "there is a station nearby that offers a constant hum and during the week there are trucks going in and out before 7am." Sites farther from the entrance often have less noise exposure, as "the far off sites... the sound is still there but more distant."
Weekend crowds: The region's proximity to New York City creates significant weekend traffic. One visitor to Taconic State Park advised to "avoid weekends. This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends." Another camper reinforced this by noting some weekend visitors were "less than considerate of others."
Site spacing varies: Tent sites at many campgrounds offer limited privacy. At Taconic State Park, "You are very close to your neighbor in this area but when we were there everyone was very respectful." Another visitor noted that at October Mountain State Forest, "Many, I would say most, sites that you feel very exposed... and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers multiple water features for children. "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," reported one family. The creek access provides natural entertainment, while more structured water play is available at various pools.
Tent placement strategy: When setting up at wooded sites, consider potential wildlife traffic. One family camping at Rip Van Winkle advised: "Be sure to put your tent on the woodchips and not the leaves, otherwise you will have chipmunks running under your heads." This practical tip highlights the importance of site selection when camping with children in areas with active wildlife.
Off-season benefits: Fall and spring visits often mean fewer crowds and more campsite availability. "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids!" reported one visitor to Rip Van Winkle, highlighting the seasonal separation options that some campgrounds implement to accommodate different visitor preferences.
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: At Waubeeka Family Campground, RV sites vary significantly in quality and location. "Our site was more like camping in a Walmart parking lot with hookups. Golf carts everywhere," noted one RVer, underscoring the importance of requesting specific sites when making reservations. The campground layout places some RV sites in more exposed areas with limited natural features.
Utility connections: Many campgrounds have shared hookup arrangements. At Brook N Wood Family Campground, "The C section (30 amp) has some shade trees and all grassy sites. Shared hook ups (two sites on one pole) at the rear of the sites with the exception of sewer." Cable television access varies by site, with one visitor noting that "cable hook up was old and although we couldn't get any channels our neighbors got about 10 on the antenna."
Seasonal limitations: Most RV campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October with varying amenities. During shoulder seasons, facility availability may be limited, though one camper at Lake Taghkanic noted "the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14)." Advance reservations become particularly important during fall color season when sites fill quickly.
