Glamping close to Poughkeepsie, New York offers visitors access to the varied terrain of the Hudson Valley, with elevations ranging from 150 to 1,500 feet across the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F during July and August with cooler evenings in the 60s. Most luxury camping accommodations in the area operate seasonally from April through November, with limited winter availability.
What to do
Swimming in lifeguarded areas: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers designated swimming zones with safety measures. "The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock. Close to great hiking," noted one visitor who appreciated the well-maintained facilities.
Hiking local trails: Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park provides access to numerous paths. A camper shared, "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."
Recreation for children: Jellystone Park Gardiner focuses on family activities throughout the season. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," according to one parent who visited with their family.
What campers like
Easy access to water: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground provides direct lake access for various activities. As one reviewer mentioned, "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available."
Clean facilities: West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area maintains their grounds meticulously. "The grounds are well-kept and the bathrooms are clean. The campground itself is pretty quiet, although there is some noise by the playground," noted a visitor who appreciated the upkeep.
Platform tent sites: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers stable platforms for tents. "As part of the Thousand Trails group, this campground has many amenities. It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. We loved our full hookup site," one camper reported.
What you should know
Military-only campgrounds: Some of the area's well-maintained facilities have restricted access. "We've been coming here for at least 13 years. We love that its a place specifically for Vets and active Military. everyone is amazingly respectful of each other and the caretakers take such care of the grounds," explained a regular visitor to West Point FMWR Round Pond.
Seasonal variations: Most upscale glamping sites near Poughkeepsie operate from April through November, with peak season during summer and fall foliage periods.
Reservation requirements: Stony Rose Farms has only four glamping sites available, making advance booking essential during peak seasons. Sites include fire pits and picnic tables in a secluded setting.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and water features: Jellystone Park Gardiner provides multiple swimming options for various ages. "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," commented a parent who appreciated the child-friendly design.
Activity planning: Some campgrounds schedule more events on specific days. "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," shared one family that visited during a weekday.
Site selection: Locations closer to facilities can be convenient but noisier. "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up," reported a family who stayed at Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Tips from RVers
Campsite leveling: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers various site conditions. "This is 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," noted an RV camper who preferred the natural setting.
Golf cart rentals: Some glamping locations near Poughkeepsie offer transportation options at additional cost. "Love it here but renting a golf cart is prob not the best option $175 for 2 days and it only goes 5mph I can walk faster than that," advised one Jellystone Park Gardiner visitor.
Hookup considerations: Be aware of sewer connection challenges at some sites. "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," mentioned an RV owner at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley who needed to switch sites.
