Camping spots near West Coxsackie, New York extend from riverfront lowlands to elevations reaching 2,000 feet in the nearby Catskill Mountains. The camping season generally runs from May through mid-October, with late September offering cooler temperatures averaging 50-70°F and prime fall foliage viewing. Most campgrounds close by late October when overnight temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: North-South Lake Campground offers two lakes with swimming areas that remain popular throughout the season. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," notes one visitor to North-South Lake Campground.
Hiking with varied difficulty levels: The area provides trails suitable for all ability levels. At Taconic State Park, visitors can access nearby natural attractions. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends... nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls, which you take a short hike across state lines into Mass," explains a reviewer at Taconic State Park.
Boating opportunities: Several campgrounds offer water access with boat launches. At Lake Taghkanic, visitors can bring their own watercraft or rent on-site. "Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny," states a camper from Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
What campers like
Bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds maintain clean restroom facilities with hot showers. "Superb. Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," reports a visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Waterfront sites: Campsites along lakes and streams remain in high demand. Schodack Island State Park provides sites with river views. "The best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle. Not time to fully explore. Would go back," shares a reviewer at Schodack Island State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife populations. "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog," notes another camper at Schodack Island State Park Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially for summer weekends. "North South lake is one of the larger public campgrounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," advises a visitor to North-South Lake Campground.
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen. RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity," explains a reviewer from Schodack Island State Park Campground.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the region. "ATT and Verizon fluctuate between 1-3 bars. It was enough for me to work - downloading files, sending emails, and conducting non-video zoom calls. At night we were able to stream with just a little buffering needed throughout," reports a camper at Schodack Island State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with recreation areas: Several locations provide dedicated play spaces. "This place is very beautiful and rustic at the same time. The employees are all very friendly. Once you get the hang of getting around the area there is so much to do, I can't wait to go back," shares a visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Consider sites with platform tents: These elevated structures help with wet conditions. "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 and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" notes a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Evaluate swimming options: Different campgrounds offer varied swimming experiences. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," describes a visitor at Taconic State Park.
Tips from RVers
Check site specifications: RV site sizes and amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite. Loved having gated security," reports a visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Consider security features: Some campgrounds offer additional safety measures. "We left our rig to take the train (about 1 hr away in Poughkeepsie) into the city for the weekend and we had no problems. Great launch pad to explore the area from," explains another camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Evaluate hookup options: Available connections differ between campgrounds. "Rip Van Winkle is a beautiful campground, it's well run, well maintained, and has a lot to do! I was a little skeptical that we wouldn't get to choose our site, but you can't go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated," notes a visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
