Cabin camping near Red Hook, New York provides access to the Hudson Valley's distinctive terrain where the Catskill foothills meet the Hudson River. The region sits at elevations between 200-600 feet, creating moderate temperatures that average 78°F in summer months and 26°F during winter. Rainfall averages 3-4 inches monthly during peak camping season, with most cabins requiring reservations at least 8-12 weeks in advance for weekend stays between May and October.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Taconic State Park connects directly to Bash Bish Falls through marked trails. "Trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible," notes one camper at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park.
Historic site exploration: Multiple presidential and historic homes sit within 30 minutes of area campgrounds. "Close by is the Roosevelt Presidential Library and house, Vanderbilt House, and even further out is Woodstock and plenty of other cool parks," reports a visitor to Mills Norrie State Park Campground.
Creek wading access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for cooling off. "We took our chairs and plopped down in the water," mentions a camper who stayed at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, describing their creekside experience during summer months when temperatures frequently reach the 80s.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Raised wooden platforms at select campgrounds keep gear dry during typical Hudson Valley rain showers. "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," explains a visitor to Taconic State Park.
Fall foliage viewing: October camping provides optimal leaf-peeping opportunities. "Camping here during October was, by far, better. The foliage was turned to all hues of orange, yellow, green, and red," shares a camper from Mills Norrie State Park Campground who visited during peak color season.
Late-season accessibility: Many cabin sites remain open into November. "The water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there," notes a visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground regarding the extended operational season.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Some riverside campgrounds experience nighttime train sounds. "It was situated right across the Hudson River from a highly active nighttime freight train route, and the noise from the horns and then being awake for a few minutes as the train clattered by," explains a camper at Mills Norrie State Park Campground.
Variable water pressure: Shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," notes a visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Site spacing differences: Privacy levels vary widely between cabin areas. "The once well groomed and maintained place is getting more weedy and unkempt," mentions one camper about Copake Camping Resort, which offers "3 different types & sizes of rental cabins" according to another review.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Kid-focused programming varies by day of week. "It looks like Saturdays have the best activities but we were not there on a Saturday," shares a visitor to Jellystone Park Gardiner, noting weekend-heavy scheduling patterns.
Pool temperature planning: Swimming facilities often include heated options. "They have a great heated pool that our little one loved," reports a camper from Brook N Wood Family Campground, highlighting a feature important for families visiting during cooler spring or fall temperatures.
Animal interaction opportunities: Some campgrounds maintain small farm areas. A visitor to Brookside Campground notes that they have "goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese" right next to their site, providing additional entertainment for children.
Tips from RVers
Gate security features: Several campgrounds offer controlled access. "Loved having gated security. My husband went on a work trip and left me alone for a few days and we left our rig to take the train into the city for the weekend and we had no problems," explains an RVer who stayed at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Site selection strategy: RV sites vary significantly in privacy levels. "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," advises a camper about Brook N Wood Family Campground, providing specific location details.
Launch point locations: Certain campgrounds serve as efficient bases for regional exploration. "Great launch pad to explore the area from," notes an RV traveler who used Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds as their headquarters while visiting regional attractions.
