The Poughkeepsie area features over a dozen RV parks spread across the Hudson Valley's rolling terrain, with elevations ranging from 160 to 1,600 feet. Winter closures affect most campgrounds from November through April, though Black Bear RV Park remains open year-round with heated water pipes for cold-weather camping.
What to do
Creek exploration: At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley in Accord, the creek running alongside the campground provides excellent opportunities for kids to enjoy nature. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," notes Kasey M.
Hiking trails: Campgrounds throughout the region connect to extensive trail networks. "There is a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park," mentions Katherine P. about Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park.
Stargazing: Low light pollution, particularly at lakeshore campgrounds, creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," shares Seth K. about Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Local towns: The Hudson Valley offers numerous historic villages within short drives of most campgrounds. "The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more," reports Kasey M. about the communities surrounding Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Several state parks feature raised wooden platforms for tents, particularly useful during wet conditions. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" notes Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Beach access: Many RV campgrounds Poughkeepsie, New York offer swimming areas during summer months. "Nice clean Beach and Lake, Bathroom and showers were clean. We had a family camping trip with lots of kids of all ages," writes Stacey R. about her experience at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Recreation options: Campgrounds typically offer various activities beyond hiking. "It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes," mentions Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley amenities.
Post-Labor Day perks: Several campgrounds provide special access to amenities after the main season ends. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite," notes Courtney D. about Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Booking early is essential, particularly for prime sites with specific features. "This place can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance," advises Asher K. about Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Site variation: Campsite quality and features vary dramatically within the same campground. "All sites were so different. There was a storm the night before our arrival date, all campers were evacuated and they did a fantastic job clearing all the debris and downed trees before our arrival," explains Erinn N.
Uphill sewer connections: Some campgrounds have challenging hookup configurations. "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," notes Inez W. at Interlake RV Park & Campground.
Construction considerations: Some parks in the region are undergoing renovations. "I would rate this a 5 when they're finished with the upgrades. Unfortunately there was nothing on this saying that they have limited spaces due to construction," reports Wyndie G. about changes at Black Bear RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak visits: Weekday camping offers a more serene experience than weekends. "This park has a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals," notes Shelly B. about Clarence Fahnestock, adding "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Children's activities: Family-focused campgrounds offer structured programming. "It has a pool, concession stand, game room, playgrounds, sports field and more," explains Robert M. about the facilities at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Site selection for privacy: Sites vary significantly in privacy levels, which affects family comfort. "I do feel the campground bathhouse really needed more attention... while it had clearly been painted this past year, it was very 'buggy' - and did not appear to have been thoroughly cleaned since spring," warns Shelly B.
Winter closures: Most family-oriented campgrounds in the Poughkeepsie region close from November through April, with few exceptions. "They currently only accept reservations over the phone. The person I spoke to was friendly and helpful," explains Gabbie Y. about Black Bear RV Park's winter operations.
Tips from RVers
Highway noise considerations: Some RV parks near Poughkeepsie have road noise issues. "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot. Restrooms are clean," warns Michael H. about Tri-State RV Park.
Full hookup options: Multiple parks offer complete services year-round. "Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Plenty to do in and around campground," notes Robert M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, highlighting its amenities.
Winter RV camping: Limited options exist for cold-weather RV camping. "At least we had a place to park for the night, and power, but unfortunately it was very overpriced for what we got," reports Gabbie Y. about her winter experience at Black Bear RV Park, noting "As it seems to be rare to find open campgrounds for winter camping, this is probably a good option."
Elevation challenges: Some RV campgrounds in the region have significant grade issues. "The sites are on the smaller size. The gem is the beautiful grounds, river, and parklike setting," writes Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure about Tri-State RV Park.
