The Catskill Mountains near West Hurley, New York sit at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the camping season. Most campgrounds in this region operate from April through November, closing during winter months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing. The area's glacial history has created numerous lakes and streams that support diverse fishing opportunities.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provides connections to several hiking paths through hardwood forests. "Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails," notes Mary-Kate L., highlighting the variety of outdoor activities available from a single location.
Water recreation options: Swimming and boating are popular at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, where reviewers emphasize the water quality. "The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring. Wish I would have brought my fishing pole," says Rosie R., who visited during rainy weather but still found activities to enjoy.
Family sports facilities: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides fields and courts for group activities. "It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes," explains Kasey M., who camped there with her family and particularly enjoyed exploring the creek.
What campers like
Private campsite options: Sites away from main areas offer more seclusion at certain locations. "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," mentions Stephanie H. at Jellystone Park Gardiner, suggesting careful site selection based on preference for activity or quiet.
Water features: Campgrounds with natural water elements receive consistently positive feedback. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," shares Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, highlighting how water access enhances the camping experience.
Platform tent sites: Multiple campgrounds offer raised platforms that improve tent camping. "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table," explains Christina M. about Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, adding that these platforms accommodate multiple smaller tents or one large tent comfortably.
What you should know
Weekend crowds: Proximity to New York City means weekends attract larger groups. "This place is great for easing on first timers and there were quite a few children," notes Christina M. about Taconic State Park, while another reviewer advises, "Avoid weekends. Not all, but some other campers were less than considerate of others."
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground bathrooms range from basic to recently renovated. "The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean," reports David S. about Brookside Campground, highlighting that appearances can be deceiving.
Weather considerations: The clay soil at some locations can create drainage issues during heavy rain. "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas," observes David S. at Brookside Campground after experiencing hurricane remnants during his stay.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused activities: Campgrounds with structured children's programming reduce planning pressure. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," shares Jennifer I. about Jellystone Park Gardiner, indicating the regular schedule of organized events.
Swimming options: Consider pool depth when traveling with children of different ages. "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," explains Amanda S. about Jellystone Park, noting the graduated swimming areas for different age groups.
Noise levels: Family campgrounds can be lively during daytime hours. "Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up. The kids were around until about 10:30 or so each night," reports Stephanie H., providing realistic expectations about sound levels at family-oriented locations.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring additional equipment. "Our site was even and easy to level on," mentions Ian R. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, suggesting this is not always the case at other locations in the region.
Utility hookup positioning: Sewer connections may be problematic at certain sites. "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," notes Inez W. at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, demonstrating the importance of site-specific utility considerations.
Alternative glamping options: For those seeking glamping near West Hurley, New York without an RV, Whispering Timbers maintains two exclusive glamping units with essential amenities. "Whispering Timbers is a new glamping site on the Dyrt," confirms Jake C., highlighting expanded options for comfortable outdoor accommodations in the region.
