Camping cabins near Poughquag, New York provide access to the Hudson River Valley's diverse terrain, with elevations ranging from 150 to 1,500 feet across the region. Most cabin facilities operate April through October, with limited winter availability at private campgrounds. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Hiking trails with river views: At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, accessible trails connect directly to camping areas. According to a visitor, "There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite... When the park clears out during the week you sleep to the sounds of nature and the occasional freight train in the distance."
Water activities on multiple lakes: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers paddling, fishing and swimming options. A camper notes, "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available."
Historical sites exploration: Within 30 minutes of Interlake RV Park & Campground, visitors can access numerous historical attractions. One reviewer mentioned, "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby." The campground's central location makes it ideal for exploring the region's historical sites.
Waterfall viewing: Taconic State Park provides trail access to Bash Bish Falls, with hiking options for all skill levels. A camper shared, "Nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls, which you take a short hike across state lines into Mass." Several trails connect directly from the campground to this natural feature.
What campers like
Privacy levels at different sites: Some cabin options provide more seclusion than others. At Kettletown State Park Campground, a visitor noted the variety available: "The campsites are varied, you can tent camp, use a camper, or they also have a few cabins you can rent. Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!"
Clean facilities: Cozy Hills Campground maintains well-kept amenities. One reviewer reported, "Very nice facilities. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community. Sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel."
Weekday tranquility: Multiple campgrounds offer significantly different experiences depending on timing. A visitor at Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground observed, "By 12 on Sunday-we had the entire campground to ourselves... in the middle of JULY. The fishing, peace and quiet of the place was exactly what we needed!"
Family-oriented activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner includes numerous structured options for children. According to a camper, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity." Another added, "This place is great for kids or diverse groups that all want to do different things. It's very family themed and fun for everyone."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and maintenance of restrooms differs significantly between parks. At Taconic State Park, a visitor reported, "The staff was friendly and helpful... The facilities are on par with most parks." Meanwhile, weekday cleaning schedules may impact availability.
Cell service limitations: Many locations have limited connectivity. An Interlake RV camper mentioned, "Stayed in cabin #1. Clean & had all the amenities but very dated & dark. Could use brighter light bulbs!! Beautiful & quiet." For remote work needs, some campgrounds offer Wi-Fi near administrative buildings only.
Weather preparedness: The Hudson River Valley experiences seasonal temperature swings. At Lake Waramaug, a reviewer cautioned, "This area is rural, so cows do moo at 6am, and kids are up even earlier. If you like to sleep in skip and rent a B&B."
Reservation timing: Seasonal popularity affects availability. For Housatonic Meadows, a camper noted, "It was a Saturday afternoon, and it was NOT full! On LI- its impossible to get a campsite unless you book it 6 months in advance."
Tips for camping with families
Pool options for different ages: Choose facilities based on swimming depth preferences. At Cozy Hills Campground, a visitor observed, "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids." Another mentioned, "Kids caught about 20 fish. The pool is nice, no deep end."
Playground access: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive play equipment. A reviewer noted, "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."
Activity schedules: Organized events occur regularly at many locations. According to a camper, "The campground had a lot of activities but some were repetitive. It looks like Saturdays have the best activities but we were not there on a Saturday."
Wildlife awareness: Several parks have resident wildlife to monitor. For Kettletown State Park, a visitor advised, "Place is perfect for young kids! It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime! I went to there with campers for ten years. One thing that I have to say to watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: For RV camping near Poughquag, check site specifications carefully. At Mills Norrie State Park, a visitor warned, "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, abs there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs."
Transportation options: Some larger campgrounds require supplemental transportation. As one Cozy Hills camper noted, "I stayed there for 3 weeks for work it was quite priced very reasonably for full hook up and about a half hour from stunning views." Another advised, "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Electric availability: Power options differ by location and site. At Lake Waramaug, a reviewer explained, "This is basic dry camping it is fun but there is no electric or water at the sites o LU in the bathhouse. So if you get a site close the the bathhouse you will have water close by and electricity close."
