Campers visiting Thiells, New York can access several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The Hudson Valley region features rolling hills and deciduous forests that transform with vibrant colors during fall months. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping often requires extra layers for cooler evenings.
What to do
Lake activities at Beaver Pond: Located in Harriman State Park, this campground offers swimming at nearby Welch Lake with a lifeguard-monitored beach. "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out," notes one visitor at Beaver Pond Campground.
Historic trails: Harriman State Park features sections of the Appalachian Trail and other historic paths. "Here you can find some of the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town," mentions a camper who stayed at Beaver Pond.
Visiting New York City: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides excellent access to Manhattan. "Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door," reports a camper who visited Liberty Harbor RV Park.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Some campgrounds offer raised platforms for tent camping, providing better protection during wet conditions. A Beaver Pond visitor noted, "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay."
Laundry facilities: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides on-site laundry. However, at some campgrounds, facilities may need maintenance: "We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting. It has a pretty large staircase and at night with a handful of laundry, it was a little scary navigating without lights," reports a Tri-State RV Park camper.
Creek access: Natural water features enhance the camping experience at some locations. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," writes a visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Bears are present in the region, especially at Harriman State Park. "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... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area," mentions a Beaver Pond visitor.
Seasonal campground closures: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground runs from "April 15 to December 4," making it one of the longer-season options in the region.
Highway noise levels: When selecting a campground, consider proximity to major roadways. At Tri-State RV Park, "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot. Restrooms are clean. Not much else to say about this CG, is just a parking lot with hookups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. "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," notes a visitor to Mountain Top RV Park.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities during summer months. One camper at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley reports, "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."
Off-season benefits: Consider visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons for a quieter experience. "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," shares a Beaver Pond camper who visited in September.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: For RV camping near Thiells, New York, several parks offer complete utility connections. At Skyway Camping Resort, visitors note the campground provides "full hookups with cable and wifi" though one camper mentioned, "Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early."
Seasonal water system issues: Winter RV campers should confirm water availability. One visitor to Black Bear RV Park experienced issues: "Unfortunately at this site, the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night."
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary considerably between campgrounds. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig. Pluses, minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!"
