RV camping near Valley Cottage, New York offers diverse options in the Hudson Valley region, situated at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,300 feet. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, though a few provide year-round access. Winter camping opportunities are limited but available at select locations where temperatures typically range from 20-40°F during December through February.
What to do
Lake swimming and beach access: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides a creek where children enjoy finding crayfish. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," notes one visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect directly from campgrounds to larger networks. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, visitors access the Appalachian Trail and other historic pathways. "They offer stunning views of the changing foliage, quick glances at the Hudson River and the rolling hills of the area," explains a camper.
Farm experiences: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort offers animal interaction opportunities. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," shares a visitor. Children can feed animals and participate in scheduled farm activities during peak season.
What campers like
Proximity to NYC: The closest RV option to Manhattan is Liberty Harbor. "Location, Location, location. The closest RV park to NYC. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room," recommends one camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park. Public transportation options include ferries and trains minutes from most sites.
Clean facilities: Beaver Pond Campground maintains quality bathrooms and dishwashing stations. "Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite. The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping," notes a visitor to Beaver Pond Campground.
Scenic views: Mountain landscapes provide backdrop at multiple locations. "The gem is the beautiful grounds, river, and parklike setting. Lots of wildlife around," shares a camper about Tri-State RV Park, highlighting natural surroundings often overlooked by visitors.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds close between November and March. "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites. Next to grocery store. CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry," notes a winter visitor to Tri-State RV Park.
Price considerations: Rates vary significantly based on location and proximity to NYC. Liberty Harbor charges approximately $120 per night for basic hookups, while campgrounds farther from the city average $35-80 per night for similar services.
Reservation requirements: Fall foliage season demands advance booking. "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" advises a Fahnestock visitor. Some locations accept same-day reservations during off-peak periods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "They have a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Scheduled activities: Pleasant Acres Farm organizes regular family events. "Lots of seasonals and lots of cabins, many RV sites I think all with full hookups. There were some organized activities which was nice, not as much as a Jellystone Park," explains a camper at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening animal sightings enhance the experience. "The best part was at dusk when the animals came out!" shares one Black Bear RV Park visitor, highlighting the natural aspects of camping even at more developed sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose perimeter or end sites for more space. At Liberty Harbor, "If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig. Pluses, minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center."
Dump station limitations: Several campgrounds have restrictions. "Convenient location, not great location. There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use," notes a reviewer at Black Bear RV Park highlighting the need to research these facilities before arrival.
Full hookup availability: Winter camping requires preparation. "We arrived after 8pm but I had called ahead to confirm our reservation. Unfortunately at this site, the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night," shares a winter visitor to Black Bear RV Park.