Glamping options near Wingdale, New York provide access to the region's diverse ecosystems spanning from low wetlands to the 1,000+ foot hills of the Taconic Mountain range. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F, making May through October the prime camping months. Several campgrounds in this region offer upgraded accommodations beyond standard tent sites, catering to campers seeking comfort without sacrificing natural surroundings.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 1-mile trail Access the 60-foot Bash Bish Falls, the highest waterfall in Massachusetts, via short trails from Taconic State Park. "A very short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls," notes one camper, who also mentions the park has "2 lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of."
Lake activities: fishing and paddling: Lake Waramaug State Park offers paddleboarding, canoeing and fishing opportunities on a scenic lake. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available," reports one reviewer who found the park "great for a week-day group to stay."
Climb Mount Bailey: Hike to the highest point in Westchester County from Mountain Lakes Park. A camper explains this "gorgeous piece of land contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."
What campers like
Large platforms for tent camping: The elevated wooden platforms at Taconic State Park provide practical benefits during wet weather. One visitor shared, "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" Another camper appreciated that "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."
Yurt accommodations: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers comfortable yurt rentals among other glamping options. As one visitor summarized, "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." The campground provides various forms of glamping in Wingdale's surrounding area with "lots of activities and facilities for campers."
Cabin options with modern amenities: Clean, well-maintained cabins at several parks offer comfort for those new to camping. At Lake Taghkanic State Park, "no complaints. Everything is perfect every year we've been. The lake is beautiful and clean," according to one regular visitor who appreciates the consistent quality of the cabin facilities.
What you should know
Variable bathroom conditions: Bathrooms at some sites receive mixed reviews. At Rondout Valley RV Campground, one visitor found "the laundry room needed some updates, especially some lighting. It has a pretty large staircase and at night with a handful of laundry, it was a little scary navigating without lights." Plan accordingly with headlamps and flip-flops.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October or November. One Lake Waramaug visitor mentioned "Monday apparently is trash day in the area for all the homes around the lake. They start collecting very early and the sound really carries over the lake."
Wildlife awareness needed: Bears and other wildlife are present in the area. A White Pines camper warned: "Beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours." Follow proper food storage protocols at all campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused parks for kids: Lake Compounce Campground provides family-friendly amenities adjacent to an amusement park. One visitor noted, "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here," making it ideal for glamping near Wingdale with children who need entertainment options.
Swimming options for different ages: Several parks offer designated swimming areas for various age groups. One Taconic State Park visitor highlighted the "2 lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," providing safe options for both younger and older children.
Plan for weather contingencies: Mountain weather can change rapidly. Bring tarps and rain gear, especially during spring and fall visits. A Taconic State Park camper shared their experience: "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 from RVers
Limited full hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer some hookups, but full service sites are limited. A Rondout Valley camper explained, "We had one and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee. Clean restrooms, showers and laundry. Dump stations if need and a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
Site length and accessibility varies: Check site specifications before booking, as some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. A White Pines camper advised, "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand."
Call ahead for electrical requirements: Some parks have inconsistent electrical service. At White Pines, one visitor warned to "make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies."
