Camping near Salisbury Mills offers access to multiple state parks in the Hudson Valley region at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,300 feet. The area sits at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains with seasonal weather patterns bringing colorful foliage from mid-September through late October. Winter camping options remain available at select locations when temperatures typically range from 20-40°F.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Harriman State Park provides extensive trail networks connecting to the Appalachian Trail. "There is a lot of hiking in the area- def check out Bash Bish Falls!" recommends a visitor to Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes throughout the region offer fishing for various species. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," notes a camper at Rudd Pond.
Swimming beaches: State park campgrounds maintain swimming areas with amenities. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," reports a visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
NYC day trips: The proximity to New York City allows for urban exploration from rural camping bases. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," notes a camper at Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park.
What campers like
Natural water features: Streams and ponds enhance the camping experience. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a camper shares, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat. "It felt like I was sharing my site with strangers. Trail to lake overgrown behind campsite," notes a camper at Rudd Pond Area, while another mentions at Pleasant Acres Farm, "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool."
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides a different experience. "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet," reports a visitor to Beaver Pond Campground, adding that "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds offer raised wooden platforms for tents. "There are platform sites. Nice beach, playground. Seemed like a lot of campers were escaping the big city," notes a camper at Rudd Pond Area.
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Campsite spacing differs significantly between parks. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, a visitor explains, "Rv sites were mostly pretty flat, spacious and in a wooded area which we loved. Visited in October so leaves were falling and it was perfect weather."
Bear activity: Several campgrounds report bear presence requiring proper food storage. "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Bathroom maintenance: Facilities vary in upkeep and cleaning schedules. "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!! The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful. Great hikes," reports a Clarence Fahnestock State Park visitor.
Reservation timing: Securing sites requires advance planning during peak seasons. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site. This place can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for younger campers. At Mountain Top RV Park, "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children, and there's also a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games."
Animal interactions: Farm-based campgrounds provide opportunities to observe livestock. "My daughter loved the horses and goats," shares a visitor to Pleasant Acres Farm, while another mentions "Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)."
Weekend activity planning: Many campgrounds schedule organized events for families. A Mountain Top visitor reports, "The family-friendly atmosphere was evident through the thoughtfully designed property, including an updated pool, playground, game room, and a brand-new pickleball court that added a unique touch to the stay."
Budget-friendly options: State parks offer more economical camping rates. "Camping for just $15. This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly," notes a visitor to Beaver Pond Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Certain sections within campgrounds offer advantages for RVs. At Tri-State RV Park, a visitor advises, "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
Waste disposal logistics: RV campers should plan for dump station availability. "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use. The laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters," reports a camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Travel routing considerations: Avoiding certain routes can save on fees when towing. "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze," advises a Liberty Harbor visitor.
Site infrastructure improvements: Recent upgrades enhance the camping experience at select rv parks near Salisbury Mills. "The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience," reports a Mountain Top RV Park visitor.
