Camping options near West Park, New York span across the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River Valley, with elevations ranging from 200 feet along the Hudson to over 3,000 feet in the western mountains. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with cooler nights in higher elevations. Fall camping season brings spectacular foliage displays, particularly from mid-September through October when local campgrounds experience their second-busiest period.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, campers can enjoy creek fishing right on the property. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," notes one visitor. The campground provides direct access to a babbling brook perfect for morning fishing sessions.
Hiking trails: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the Gunks. Located minutes from world-class hiking, a camper reports it has "great access to amazing hiking and climbing in the area! About half the sites are walk-in and half the sites are drive-up." The campground connects to numerous trails leading to scenic overlooks.
Swimming spots: When temperatures rise, North-South Lake Campground provides refreshing water activities. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares one regular visitor. The campground features two connected lakes with designated swimming areas and boat rentals available during summer months.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural surroundings at Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, where sites are "large and heavily wooded!" A visitor notes, "We happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great!" The campground maintains significant tree coverage between sites, creating natural privacy screens.
Modern facilities: At Shawangunk Gateway Campground, campers enjoy practical amenities like "a covered communal pavilion with picnic tables, big sinks for washing dishes, and lighting." The campground provides "a 'comfort station' for the campsites farther from the main pavilion with bathrooms and big sinks for dish washing."
Seasonal activities: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds keeps campers entertained with programmed events throughout the season. "I go here every year it's such a great campground," mentions a repeat visitor. Another camper adds, "There's a creek on the property (Plattekill) is great, the pond is fun to fish in, the RC track is great for those who are into it."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms can affect camping plans in the Hudson Valley. At Shawangunk Gateway Campground, staff are prepared for weather events as "there was a storm the night before our arrival date, all campers were evacuated and they did a fantastic job clearing all the debris and downed trees before our arrival."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds in this region fill quickly during summer weekends. For Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, a camper advises "this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Bathroom facilities: Quality and availability of bathrooms varies significantly between campgrounds. At Kenneth Wilson Campground, "The bathrooms were fine. They were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper." However, some campers noted that "the showers were not by the bathrooms and there was only one shower house very far from the campsites."
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized kids' activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family entertainment with "a event just about every weekend with kid activity." Another parent mentions, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Check swimming options: Families appreciate water features for keeping children entertained. One parent reported about Jellystone Park: "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."
Consider site location: When booking with kids, think about proximity to facilities. At Rip Van Winkle Campground, a first-time camper found "Plenty of space, your car is right there next to you, and the camp store has every essential you could ever need if you left anything at home or are just stopping by!"
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, an RVer mentions they needed to be selective about locations: "Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites can be limited at state parks. At Catskill/Kenneth Wilson Campground, campers with RVs appreciate that "the campsite was secluded and quiet. Close to hiking trails and the facilities were in good shape." The campground provides electric hookups at select sites.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds in the Hudson Valley have uneven terrain. When staying at North-South Lake Campground, a camper noted their "campsite was relatively well spaced apart. The campground was well maintained overall," though they needed to use leveling blocks on some sites due to the natural terrain.
