Camping spots near Pine Plains, New York offer diverse options within the Taconic Mountains and Hudson Valley region. The area sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet, creating microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during the day but can drop to the 50s at night, making layered clothing essential for campers.
What to do
Water activities at Rudd Pond: Located in Taconic State Park's Rudd Pond Area, campers can enjoy fishing for largemouth bass from shore or by renting boats. According to one visitor, "There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water."
Hiking to waterfalls: Bash Bish Falls, accessible from Copake Falls Area, offers a unique cross-state hiking experience. One camper noted, "Some great hiking here as well. Sunset rock was an adventure but a blast and nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls, which you take a short hike across state lines into Mass."
Stargazing at Lake Taghkanic: With low light pollution, the area provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities. As one visitor reported, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Pool swimming: For those who prefer swimming pools over natural bodies of water, Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds has facilities that campers appreciate. One reviewer mentioned, "There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities can't wait to go back."
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Many campgrounds in the area feature raised wooden platforms for pitching tents, particularly valuable during wet weather. A Lake Taghkanic camper explained, "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
Creek access: Direct water access is highly valued by campers in this region. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, one visitor shared, "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Pricey--$60 a night. But super nice being right on the creek--we took our chairs and plopped down in the water."
Hot showers: Reliable hot water, even late in the season, is frequently mentioned as a benefit at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground. A camper who visited in October noted, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season."
Wildlife viewing: The Taconic region supports diverse animal life that campers can observe from their sites. At Taconic State Park's Copake Falls Area, one visitor observed, "The taconic mountains offer some great flora and fauna. We had several species of frogs and toads wandering about in the evening, giant millipedes were plenty, and even found a meet on our hike."
What you should know
Campsite proximity varies: Site privacy differs significantly between campgrounds in the Pine Plains region. At North-South Lake Campground, a visitor observed, "Always packed, but always beautiful. Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here."
Reservation policies: Campgrounds have specific reservation windows and cancellation terms. One camper at Copake Camping Resort warned, "Extreme cancelation policy."
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities in the area have limited operational seasons, typically closing by mid-October. One Lake Taghkanic visitor noted they had "stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14)," indicating the end of their operating period.
Train noise: Some campgrounds closer to the Hudson River experience railroad noise. A camper at Mills Norrie State Park mentioned, "It was situated right across the Hudson River from a highly active nighttime freight train route, and the noise from the horns and then being awake for a few minutes as the train clattered by."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with designated kid areas: Several camping spots near Pine Plains offer dedicated children's facilities. At Brook N Wood Family Campground, a visitor noted, "They have a great heated pool that our little one loved. Lots of space to run around and a cute mini golf area."
Consider cabins for easier family stays: For families not ready for tent camping, cabin options provide more comfort. A Lake Taghkanic visitor shared, "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."
Book mid-week for quieter experience: Family campers report significant differences between weekday and weekend occupancy. At Rudd Pond Area, a camper observed, "The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors."
Choose sites near bathrooms: For families with young children, proximity to facilities matters. One camper at Lake Taghkanic suggested, "My advice would be to take the sites on the hill, nearest to the bathrooms, as all these sites seemed to be generally very well maintained."
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the hilly Taconic region require careful leveling. A camper at Interlake RV Park & Campground noted, "It was quite priced very reasonably for full hook up and about a half hour from stunning views."
Research hookup locations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility configurations. At Brook N Wood Family Campground, a visitor detailed, "The C section (30 amp) has some shade trees and all grassy sites. Shared hook ups (two sites on one pole) at the rear of the sites with the exception of sewer."
Plan for varying cell reception: Internet connectivity varies widely between camping locations in the region. Some campers report sufficient coverage for remote work, while others find completely disconnected experiences.
Consider campground proximity to supplies: Several RV parks in the area offer close access to stores. One camper at Interlake mentioned, "With that you get free wi-fi, a heated pool, a lake for fishing and boating, a game room and snack bar, movies, other sports, and the security of a gated entrance."
