Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers cabin options for campers near Red Hook, New York, situated at approximately 900 feet elevation in the eastern Catskill foothills. The campground remains open from May through mid-October, with cabins typically requiring reservations several months in advance during peak summer weekends. These accommodations provide a base for exploring the region's numerous trails, waterways, and cultural attractions.
What to do
Swimming at Lake Taghkanic: The state park features a clean swimming beach with lifeguards. "This campground was one of the best I've been to... The campground has 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," notes a visitor at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Water recreation fees: Bring your own paddleboards or kayaks for a $15 daily fee. "No complaints. everything is perfect every year we've been. the lake is beautiful and clean. expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards / kyacks etc. Worth every penny," shares a camper from Lake Taghkanic.
Hiking at Bash Bish Falls: A short drive from Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park takes you to this popular waterfall. "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, 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," reports a visitor.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Elevated platforms keep tents dry during wet weather. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection," explains a camper at Taconic State Park.
Hot showers year-round: Even in cooler months, the facilities remain comfortable. "They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018)," notes a visitor at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Proximity to towns: Access to local amenities adds convenience. "The town of Hudson is also close by if you're looking to get some of the comforts of a town while you're out and about," mentions a Lake Taghkanic visitor. Another camper adds: "Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler and refilling our beers."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Choose locations carefully for the best experience. "Beware of site G006. The grill at the fire pit is upside down, so it doesn't hold level above the fire. Impossible to use... Also, this site was downwind, so occasionally was in the cloud of septic stench. My advice would be to take the sites on the hill, nearest to the bathrooms," advises a camper at Lake Taghkanic.
Weekday visits recommended: Weekends can get crowded, particularly at family-oriented campgrounds. "We went on weekdays which is not crowded," notes a visitor at Lake Taghkanic. Another camper at Taconic State Park cautions: "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. "The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent. When it rains theres a horrible smell across the campground," warns a visitor to Blue Mountain Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park offers numerous structured events. "This place is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," shares a visitor to Jellystone Park Gardiner. Another notes: "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."
Cabin options for mixed groups: Consider cabins for family glamping near Red Hook, New York when accommodating different comfort levels. "This is a very nice campground for families. Has a lot of activities and facilities for campers," states a Jellystone visitor.
Farm animals for kids: Some campgrounds offer animal interactions. "I went last year with my kids they loved the arcade small but it's a camp ground the playground area was nice... They have animals the kids can go check out," reports a visitor to Brookside Campground.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins," states a Lake Taghkanic visitor.
Weekend noise considerations: Be prepared for more active weekends. "We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers. (At least they turned off the music at quiet hours)," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Deck sites for smaller vehicles: Some locations offer specialized spots. "We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air," shares a visitor describing their glamping experience at Treetopia Campground.
