Campgrounds and RV parks near Ghent, NY

Warm-weather activities in the area include beach time, biking, boating, fishing, hiking, and hunting, while winter brings ice fishing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Lake Taghkanic State Park surrounds Lake Taghkanic and offers a swimming beach, boat launches with rowboat, paddleboat, and kayak rentals, and multiple hiking and biking trails. The private pond at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills offers swimming, fishing, and paddle boating. Waubeeka Family Campground includes paddleboat, kayak, and pedal-boat use along with planned activities, themed weekends, and weekend entertainment. Day trips from Ghent reach Olana State Historic Site, Clermont State Historic Site, Hudson's antique shops and galleries, and the Art Omi sculpture park in Ghent itself.

The camping window in this part of the Hudson Valley is concentrated between mid-spring and late fall. At Lake Taghkanic State Park, the camping season runs May 16 through October 25, with reservations available through Reserve America. Nearby Taconic State Park's Copake Falls Area opens campsites in spring and runs into mid-fall, with cabins available on a similar window. Waubeeka Family Campground operates from May through October in Copake. July and August are peak season, with the warmest lake temperatures, full programming at private parks, and the highest demand for waterfront sites. West Beach swimming runs weekends and holidays only from late May into late June, then daily from late June through Labor Day, while East Beach is closed. September and early October bring cooler nights, fewer bugs, and fall foliage across the Taconics and Berkshires. Winter closes most private campgrounds, though Lake Taghkanic is open year round for day use activities, with overnight camping available May through October. Winter day-use activities include ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing where conditions allow.

Expect a mix of full-hookup RV resorts and more rustic state park sites. Private parks in the area typically include a picnic table, fire ring, water, and 30 or 50-amp electrical service at each site, with sewer at many. At Lake Taghkanic, campers have access to hot showers, flush toilets, and a dump station, with a camp store selling ice, firewood, snacks, and camping supplies; raised deck platform sites accommodate larger groups, and RVs and trailers up to 20 feet are welcome. State park check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m. Firearms, fireworks, and cutting of trees are prohibited. Cell coverage and WiFi vary by location, and New York's Don't Move Firewood rules apply, helping protect the state's forests.