Camping in the Catskill Mountains near Saugerties, New York ranges from basic tent sites to high-end glamping experiences with elevations between 200-4,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day and drop to 55-65°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for snow and temperatures that can fall below freezing, particularly at higher elevations.
What to do
Swimming at Lake Taghkanic: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers excellent swimming opportunities with clean, well-maintained beaches. One visitor noted, "I went there with a friend and her family on Tuesday and it was awesome!" Another camper mentioned the "great beach, 5 minute drive from campground" with "clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days."
Stargazing over calm waters: The lack of light pollution makes Lake Taghkanic ideal for night sky viewing. A camper shared: "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low." The surrounding Catskills region provides numerous dark sky locations perfect for astronomy enthusiasts.
Hiking nearby trails: The region offers numerous trail options within short driving distance. At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, trails lead to Bash Bish Falls. A visitor explains: "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."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Many campgrounds feature wooden platforms that make tent setup easier and more comfortable. At Taconic State Park, campers appreciate that "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." Another camper noted the platforms "kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
Clean bathroom facilities: Brookside Campground receives praise for its sanitation standards. A visitor commented: "Nice and clean restrooms very friendly staff I would come back here again and recommended." Another camper noted that while "the bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."
Family activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner focuses on family entertainment with dedicated facilities. A reviewer described it as "great for kids or diverse groups that all want to do different things. It's very family themed and fun for everyone." Another mentioned the "nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone."
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: Some tent sites can be rocky and uneven. At Blue Mountain Campground, a camper warned: "The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent." Consider bringing additional padding if tent camping.
Weekend crowding: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. One visitor to Jellystone Park cautioned: "It can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go." Weekday visits typically offer more peace and quiet.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through October or early November. A Lake Taghkanic visitor noted that even in mid-October "the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018)." Winter camping options are limited but available at select locations.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and water activities: Several campgrounds have dedicated swimming areas safe for children. At Jellystone Park, "they have lasertag which they enjoy. And a bounce pillow" according to one family, while another appreciated that "this campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore."
Campground noise levels: Consider site location relative to common areas. One family at Jellystone reported: "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."
Nearby amenities for supplies: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers convenient access to shops. A camper noted: "Local shops just minutes from campgrounds. Walmart and other bigger shops just a short drive away!" Another visitor to Lake Taghkanic mentioned "a camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites require extra effort to level properly. A camper at Lake Taghkanic warned about specific sites: "One caveat: beware of site G006. The grill at the fire pit is upside down, so it doesn't hold level above the fire." Check campground maps or call ahead to request level sites.
Full hookup availability: While many campgrounds offer electrical and water hookups, sewer connections are less common. At Rondout Valley, a camper described having "a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee." The campground also offers "a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
Size restrictions for larger rigs: Not all luxury glamping near Saugerties accommodates big rigs. At Brookside Campground, one camper noted they "ended up at this campground because the family we were traveling with needed to accommodate their 50 foot camper. As a rule of thumb- I try to visit as little RV parks as I can, but we were trying to find somewhere that would accommodate both of our needs."
