The Stormville region of New York sits in the Hudson River Valley at approximately 500 feet elevation, offering a mix of lowland camping and hillier terrain that borders the Taconic Mountains. Weather patterns typically feature warm summers with highs in the 80s, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Late summer thunderstorms can develop quickly, particularly in the afternoon hours.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers excellent fishing conditions with a calm lake surface. "The lake is gorgeous and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes Mellisa T., highlighting the lake's accessibility for anglers.
Hiking trails: Multiple marked and unmarked trails wind through Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park, providing different difficulty levels for day hikes. "There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water. There is a lot of hiking in the area- def check out Bash Bish Falls!" recommends Rosie R.
Historical sites: The Hudson Valley area features numerous historical attractions within a short drive. "Close by is the Roosevelt Presidential Library and house, Vanderbilt House, and even further out is Woodstock and plenty of other cool parks," explains Larissa C. about the region near Mills Norrie State Park Campground.
What campers like
Tent platforms: Several campgrounds provide elevated wooden platforms that keep tents dry during wet weather. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection! The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring," shares Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic.
Swimming beaches: Clean, maintained beaches provide summer relief for campers. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," writes Kurt S. about Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Seasonal amenities: Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park offers different experiences throughout the camping season. "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," notes Rebecca S., highlighting the value of timing your visit.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience occasional train sounds. "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," explains Rebecca Y. about her stay at Mills Norrie State Park.
Wildlife considerations: Bears are present in the region and require 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," recounts Steve W. about the Beaver Pond check-in experience.
Uneven terrain: Some sites require careful setup due to sloping ground. "Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope)," reports Katherine P. about her experience at Taconic State Park's Rudd Pond area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Skyway Camping Resort caters to families with children through dedicated play areas. "We were very impressed with the playground on site! Nice pool, this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites," notes Ron H.
Off-season weekdays: For quieter family experiences, schedule visits during weekdays outside peak summer season. "Clean campsite was very clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there," writes Seth K. about Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Group site options: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated group camping areas ideal for family reunions. "Group camping sites, single private sites, R.V. welcome, boat access, marina, kyack," lists Frank M. about Mills Norrie State Park's accommodations options.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: RV campgrounds near Stormville, New York provide varying levels of hookup options. "We stayed in site 44 for just one night. I can hear distant cars from time to time but, not like highway sounds. Bathrooms for our area looks well kept outside," notes Harold C. about Black Bear RV Park.
Winter operations: Off-season camping requires preparation as some facilities close. "We have short driving days and we try stop after every couple hundred miles for one night at a time, just to sleep, shower and eat. This was our first stop and primarily chosen because it was one of the few places along our route that was open for RVs in the off season," explains Gabbie Y. about winter camping at Black Bear RV Park.
Big rig access: Several parks accommodate larger motorhomes with appropriate sites. "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs," confirms Dave S. about Black Bear's capacity for larger recreational vehicles.
