CAMPGROUNDS

The gift of nature is never far away in Dutchess County - the Hudson River; farms and farm markets; orchards; wineries; multiple-use areas with a variety of woods, fields and ponds; and 30 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Here you can enjoy complete rest and relaxation amid a scenic landscape. Give up the comforts of home for a truly rewarding experience communing with nature. Dutchess County boasts 21 parks, six Multiple Use Areas, and seven reserves with hundreds of miles of trails. The newest to open is Quiet Cove Waterfront Park just north of Marist College in Poughkeepsie. It’s perfect place to picnic and enjoy a peaceful view of the Catskills. It also has a small boat launch site, perfect for kayaks and canoes.

Take out your camera and shoot away as you observe the breathtaking beauty of the Hudson Valley. Examine native birds and other wildlife as you hike through rich forests. About 30 miles of the Appalachian Trail (www.NPS.Gov/Appa) can be accessed in southern Dutchess County. There are 4,000 acres of protected parkland with hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and five overnight use areas. The trail provides a great opportunity to hike a forested part of the 2,000-mile walking path, which extends from Georgia to Maine and is the longest such trail in the world.

Enjoy the heartwarming experience of bringing your family together in the great outdoors. Taconic State Park, Rudd Pond Area (www.NYSParks.com) in Millerton, offers 40 campsites with hot showers and flush toilets; a children's play area; cross-country skiing; fishing; boat rentals and a beach with swimming. Couples and families alike will find Mills-Norrie State Park (www.NYSParks.com) in Staatsburg a real pleasure. Mills-Norrie boasts 51 campsites and 10 cabins on 1000 acres near the Hudson River complete with hot showers and flush toilets. Here there is something for everyone: bike paths; cross-country skiing; nature trails; educational programs; a boat launch and marina; as well as an 18-hole golf course. Both restaurant and food concessions provide the experience of "roughing it" while still having alternatives

Malouf’s Mountain Sunset Camp (www.MaloufsMountain.com) is the newest campground in the county. Located in Fishkill Ridge, just north of Beacon, the area is a fully catered, hike-in, hike-out forest camping resort. Its 12 wooded acres offer 33 well spaced platform sites, which provide an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere. Each site is equipped with a chow box full of camping necessities, a fire pit and wood for the first night. Bathroom facilities have hot showers, flush toilets, running water and clothes dryers. The scenic area provides the opportunity for hikers to explore the grounds, go bird watching, discovery a wide variety of wild flowers and trees, and take in all that nature has to offer.

When looking for a campground with activities for every season, Wilcox Park (www.DutchessNY.Gov) in Stanfordville is a place to consider. This 615-acre park has two small lakes for fishing, swimming and boating. With more than five miles of trails, the park is ideal for hiking in the fall and spring and cross-country skiing and sledding during the winter months. In addition, the park offers picnic tables, a children’s play area, athletic fields and a miniature golf course. The area has 27 family camping sites with hot showers and flush toilets and group camping areas are also available. A new, extra large pavilion with attached kitchen will open in 2006.

For family oriented parks that welcome RV's, check out two parks with plenty of activities. Sylvan Lake Beach Park (845/221-9889) in Beekman, is located on a crystal-clear spring fed lake just 60 miles north of New York City. It offers 95 full hook-up RV sites with electric and septic, picnic tables and fire rings at each site, with phone and cable TV services also available. Here you have the serenity of nature while still being able to access shops, churches, restaurants and golf courses. Enjoy swimming on their lifeguard protected lake, or try fishing or sailing. There is also a game room, playground, athletic fields, and food concessions. Easily accessible from both the NY Thruway and the Taconic Parkway is Interlake RV Park & Sales (www.InterlakeRVPark.com) in Rhinebeck. With 159 campsites, they also offer a 20-acre lake, fishing, boating, recreation hall, 25' X 55' in ground pool, fireplaces, laundromat, camp store and snack bar. The owners work year-round to meet their objective of making your family visit as enjoyable as possible.

Two other parks with RV sites are Breezy Point Campground (845/226-3758) in Rhinebeck and Snow Valley Campground (845/897-5700) in Fishkill. Breezy Point, a small wooded campground, offers 6 RV sites with water and electric hook-ups. Activities at the campground include fishing, swimming and boating. A larger campground, Snow Valley is a 60-acre area with 100 tent stations and 40 RV hook-ups. Its facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, a laundry room and a recreation building. The site has a lake with a beach for visitors to relax or fish. For those who do not like “roughing it,” the campground also offers permanent sites with water, electric, sewer and phone and cable TV hookups.