The Pine Bush area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation in the Hudson Valley, offering visitors a varied woodland terrain with mixed deciduous forest interspersed with small streams and ponds. Seasonal considerations impact camping experiences, with spring bringing muddy conditions along trails and summer humidity requiring adequate hydration for hikers. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, limiting some yurt camping options in the region.
What to do
Fishing access: Oakland Valley Campground provides sites directly beside the river for anglers. "You can camp right next to the river and it has a great view," notes reviewer Jeanne-Marie P., who adds that the campground has "3 levels to camp at" with varying amenities at each level.
Hiking trails: Osa Trail offers secluded hiking opportunities with scenic viewpoints. "Had a great time here with my wife and 2 little kids and our dog. One of the most beautiful sunrises we've ever seen!" reports John F., highlighting the panoramic vistas available to hikers.
Water recreation: Multiple recreation options exist at High Point State Park Campground, as Justin P. explains: "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." The reviewer notes you'll "have to drive between the different lakes."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Some campsites feature elevated wooden platforms for tent setup. At High Point State Park, "Each campsite has a firepit/ring, picnic table, and lantern hook," according to Dwight D., though he cautions about potentially steep terrain at some sites.
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the secluded feeling at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, where Kasey M. reports: "We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers. (At least they turned off the music at quiet hours). The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Family entertainment: Beyond water activities, families appreciate structured recreation options. Ian R. describes Thousand Trails Rondout Valley as "what I want for a Catskill campground. It is not a concrete pad haven and yes, there is mud. Our site was even and easy to level on."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Neversink River Resort, Happy Camper L. reports: "We went with a few families and had a nice time. It is very basic and that worked for us. It could benefit from some sprucing up."
Seasonal availability: Most yurt camping near Pine Bush operates from spring through fall. Skyway Camping Resort specifically runs from "May 1 - Oct 14," according to their listing information, making advance reservations essential during peak summer weekends.
Noise levels: Quiet time enforcement varies by campground. Samantha H. notes at Oakland Valley Campground: "The downside though was how loud it got at night with parties and music... it definitely impeded on the peace and quiet. It became frustrating when the noise wasn't addressed by members of the staff."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for varied weather: The Hudson Valley experiences significant temperature fluctuations. At Oakland Valley Campground, Katrina R. explains, "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."
Consider kid-friendly activities: When selecting a campground, prioritize those with dedicated recreation spaces. Amanda S. highlights that Jellystone Park Gardiner has a "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."
Book group sites when available: For multi-family trips, specialized group areas offer better accommodation. Christian describes High Point State Park's group sites: "The group campsites are big enough for the amount of people you can have, have picnic benches, a fire ring, a composting outhouse toilet just for the site, and one of those flat charcoal 'grills'."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: When selecting an RV site at Skyway Camping Resort, Jackie M. advises: "Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff."
Check hookup options: Not all campgrounds offer full RV services. At Neversink River Resort, Carmine B. shares: "Our 2nd ever camping trip with our RV and it really was amazing. Our first trip to another campground was disastrous due to hurricanes and leaks, and this trip made everything so much better."
Consider rental options: For those without RVs, yurt camping near Pine Bush provides comfortable alternatives. Ron H. notes that Skyway Camping Resort is "Very nice and clean... this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites."
