Lake Taghkanic State Park sits in the mid-Hudson Valley, about 90 miles north of New York City, with elevations around 500 feet above sea level. This region's mix of forest and water features creates distinct seasonal conditions for campers. Tivoli itself is a small village on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, with camping options that range from traditional tent sites to luxury glamping accommodations.
What to do
Swimming at state parks: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers an excellent beach area for water activities. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes Mellisa T.
Explore nearby towns: Hudson is a short drive from most campgrounds. "The town of Hudson is also close by if you're looking to get some of the comforts of a town while you're out and about," explains Seth K. from Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Stargazing opportunities: The Catskills region has relatively low light pollution. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," according to Seth K.
Hiking nearby trails: Copake Falls Area at Taconic State Park provides access to multiple hiking trails. "This location was very accesible to the Bish Bash Falls trail and even had a few side trails to explore," writes Christina M.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: These raised wooden platforms keep campers dry during wet weather. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" shares Rosie R. from Lake Taghkanic.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are consistently mentioned as a positive feature. "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," notes Perrin M. from Lake Taghkanic.
Renovated glamping sites: Treetopia Campground has invested significantly in their glamping facilities. "The bathrooms and showers are out of this world! Best of any campground we've ever visited!" according to Janly P.
Spacious tent sites: Many campgrounds offer good-sized sites for tent campers. Mary-Kate L. writes about Lake Taghkanic: "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins."
What you should know
Weekend crowds: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. John E. advises about Taconic State Park: "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends."
Site selection matters: Choose sites carefully based on location and features. Kurt S. from Lake Taghkanic recommends: "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."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds have limited seasons. Lake Taghkanic operates from "May 6 to October 15," while Taconic State Park has a longer season running from "May 6 to November 27."
Weather considerations: Rain can affect camping experience significantly. Rosie R. shares: "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family entertainment. "This campground is great for kids. It has an event just about every weekend with kid activity," says Jennifer I.
Swimming options for different ages: Pools with varied depths accommodate families with children of different ages. Amanda S. notes about Jellystone: "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Playground accessibility: Consider site location relative to play areas. Stephanie H. mentions: "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."
Recreation areas for rainy days: Indoor spaces provide alternatives during bad weather. At Lake Taghkanic, campers appreciate the "Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days," according to Kurt S.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers complete services for RVers. "Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground," notes Robert M.
Site leveling considerations: Check whether sites are level before setting up. Inez W. shares: "The only problem I had was that my Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam."
Access to supplies: Proximity to stores matters for longer stays. George L. from Lake Taghkanic notes: "Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler and refilling our beers."
Waste management options: Some campgrounds provide additional services. Robert M. mentions that Rondout Valley has "Dump stations if need and a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
