Rhinebeck

[Steve]

Does anyone have any recommendations for camping near the Duchess County Fairgrounds near Rhinebeck New York?

I know there are limited sites (when I want to go) at the fairgrounds, but was wondering if there are any nearby Parks (preferably state/local parks and national parks) or campgrounds.

[aldebnj]

Hi Steve,

Here is a link to some campgrounds in the Dutchess County area.  http://www.dutchesstourism.com/campgrounds.asp
Norrie Point is in the next town south of Rhinebeck and Stanfordville is about 20-30 minutes east off of Rt. 199.
Across the river (over the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge) in the Saugerties area there is a KOA.  I grew up in LaGrange in central Dutchess County.
 
Hope this helps.
Al

[copcarguy]

Hey all!!  

Like Al said, there is Mills-Norrie SP right near the fairgrounds.  There are 54 sites there, none with hookups whatsoever.  I would say 80% of the sites are "tent" sites because the roads in the middle of the CG are far from paved and flat.  I tried driving through the 2 middle roads with the PU on once and the scraping noises were unbearable.  If you stay on the perimeter road, you will have no problem.  I live only a few miles away from this SP and go there all the time.  Lyle, the Park Ranger there is a nice guy...  There is one bathhouse (with hot water showers & flush toilets) for the entire CG.  If it's a busy weekend Lyle can't keep up with the bathouse and checking everyone in.  This does not mean that this SP is crappy, far from it, but it is a very small SP with literally one person running the entire CG.  I go there on a moments notice to spend the weekend if I've had a bad week.  My favorite site there is 44, you are on the Hudson River and it's just plain beautiful.
 
If you don't mind driving 20 or 30 minutes away from the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, I would recommend the Newburgh/NYC North KOA.  It is one exit south of the Kingston/Rhinecliff Bridge on the Thruway.  It is very wooded, full hookups, and CLEAN!  It's not a "parking lot" type KOA.  Also, as mentioned before, there is Saugerties KOA which is one exit north of the K/R Bridge.  I have only been there once, it's not as nice as the Newburgh KOA, but it's fairly wooded.
 
My favorite place to camp anywhere would be North-South Lake SP in Haines Falls, NY.  It's about 45 minutes to an hour from the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, but well worth the drive in my opinion.  No hookups there either, but hot showers and flush toilets in every loop.  I would recommend Loops 5 and 6.  Very beautiful place.  I have lots of pictures of all these places on my webshots page...  Click the link under my profile and have at it.  
 
Well, I am curious what you're going to visit the Fairgrounds for...  drop me a note when you're going there and I'd be glad to show you around the area.