WHY THE HUDSON VALLEY BELONGS ON YOUR #VANLIFE BUCKET LIST
When most people think of van life, they think of red rock desert and high alpine meadows, sweeping California coastlines and misty evergreen forests, but we know that van life looks different for everyone. There are DM Vans on the road from Maine to Alaska, from cities and suburbs to wide open spaces. So, for our next travel guide, we’re headed east, to the Hudson Valley in New York. A popular getaway for NYC city slickers, the Hudson Valley is home to Woodstock, The Catskills, an unreal number of amazing restaurants and breweries, world class museums, antique stores and a whole lot of history. We’re here to give you the inside scoop on where to park for the night and what to do during the day.
Cooper Lake from Twin Mountain
WHERE TO SLEEP
State & DEC Campgrounds
Book through ReserveAmerica the moment you circle a date—summer weekends fill fast.
Beaver Pond (Harriman State Park) – If you crave lakeside paddles and an easy train ride back to Manhattan, this is your sweet spot. Sunrise mist on the water is pure Instagram gold.
Devil’s Tombstone Campground – Twenty‑four tree‑shaded sites, fire rings that beg for s’mores, and the legendary Devil’s Path cutting straight through camp. Wake to birdsong, brew a trailhead coffee, and step directly onto one of the toughest hikes in New York.
Woodland Valley Campground – Tucked beneath slide‑prone peaks, Woodland Valley marries creature comforts (hot showers, flush toilets, dump station) with back‑door access to the Burroughs Range. It’s the ideal basecamp for bagging Slide, Wittenberg, and Cornell in a single push.
Free & Dispersed Options
- Allaben Primitive Campsites – Eight DEC‑designated pull‑ins off NY‑28, wrapped in hemlock and the sound of rushing creeks. You’re ten minutes from the legendary pancakes at Phoenicia Diner and small‑batch pours at Woodstock Brewing.
- Cooper Lake Pull‑offs – A gravel loop skirts the reservoir’s turquoise water, perfect for van‑side stargazing. Arrive before dusk to snag a level spot—no swimming, but morning fog rolling off the lake feels like pure magic.
- Rail‑Trail Trailheads – The Ashokan Rail Trail features several parking lots where overnights are tolerated if no signage states otherwise. Roll in late, lay low, roll out at dawn, and you’ll share sunrise with only the whir of bike tires.
Last‑resort? A trio of Walmart lots—Newburgh, Peekskill, Harriman—stay van‑friendly. Always confirm on iOverlander before you commit.
Devil’s Tombstone Campground
WHAT TO DO
Hiking
Some of the best hiking on the East Coast can be found in the Hudson Valley. Below is a list of our favorites.
Gertrude’s Nose in Minnewaska State Park – This loop is 6.5 miles round trip and offers sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and traverses some of the coolest rock formations around.
Breakneck Ridge just south of Beacon – This challenging scramble is a popular sunset hike, and for good reason. Once you reach the top, you will have sweeping views looking west over the Lower Hudson Valley. The trail is 4 miles long in total, but the top of the ridge is less than a mile from the start.
The Devil’s Path in Catskill Park – This one of our favorite trails in the Catskills. Devil’s Path is 23 miles long with over 8,000 feet of elevation gain and summits five Catskill 3500’ peaks. It is great for section hiking, or if you’re up for a challenge, you can attempt it in one day (it is a point to point so you will need a second car to shuttle).
Giant’s Ledge and Panther Mountain in Catskill Park – This hike is an out and back, taking you up to Giant’s Ledge where you’ll walk through mossy forests and meadows that will make you feel like you’re in a real-life Lord of the Rings. Keep going and you’ll summit Panther Mountain. This hike is just under 7 miles round trip if you go all the way to Panther Mountain.
The Gunks – We’d be remiss not to mention The Gunks, one of the most famous and popular climbing areas in the Hudson Valley. Yes, it isn’t technically a hike, though there are plenty of great hiking trails and around the climbing areas on the Mohonk Preserve. If you climb, you must go to The Gunks.
Minnewaska State Park
Sightseeing
Walkway Over The Hudson in Poughkeepsie – The Walkway is an railroad crossing turned foot and bike path taking you across the Hudson River. It offers unbeatable views, especially in the spring and fall. Be mindful of other users as this is a multiuse pathway, so you’ll see cyclists, runners and pedestrians.
FDR National Historic Site and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park – Our 32nd President called the Hudson Valley his home, and now you can visit his home and the home of Eleanor Roosevelt, see the nation’s first Presidential Library, and explore over a thousand acres of gardens and outdoor space.
Walkway Over The Hudson
Art and Culture
Storm King Art Center just south of Newburgh – This 500-acre outdoor museum features large scale sculpture out in the open air. Storm King is a must visit for any artsy outdoorsperson.
Dia:Beacon – Built on the banks of the Hudson and featuring art from the 1960’s to the present, Dia has nurtured the arts community in Beacon and turned it into a thriving cultural hub.
Hudson Valley MOCA in Peekskill – HVMOCA features both local and international art in its 12,000 square foot exhibition space, as well as several site-specific installations around Peekskill.
Storm King Art Center
Eating and Drinking
Hudson Valley Brewery in Beacon – If you’re into beer, especially sour beer, you need to go to HVB. They are known for their world class farmhouse sours and sour IPAs. They don’t serve food but they have an amazing food truck right outside. It’s the perfect stop after visiting Dia:Beacon.
Mill House Brewing Company in Poughkeepsie – Another great one for beer lovers, but unlike HVB they also have an amazing menu. Just in the mood for a quick bite? Get a sampler flight and an order of their fried pickles. You can thank us later.
Phoenicia Diner in the Catskills – This diner opened in 1962 then relocated to the Catskills in the 80s. Their menu is every brunch lover’s dream come true, with amazing locally sourced food, cocktails and beer. While you’re in the area, make sure to swing down the road to Woodstock Brewing for some world class brews.
Hudson Valley Brewing
Phoenicia Diner
VAN‑LIFE LOGISTICS
- Water fills – Free spigots at Kingston’s Forsyth Park; Love’s Travel Stops on I‑87 if you’re topping off after hours.
- Dump stations – Northbound I‑87 rest area at mile 112 or Beaver Pond CG for a small fee.
- Groceries – Hunt hyper‑local fare at Adams Fairacre Farms (Kingston & Poughkeepsie) or snag budget basics at Kingston’s Aldi.
- Connectivity – Verizon and AT&T dominate ridgelines; T‑Mobile fades in hollows. Download offline maps via Gaia GPS before you lose bars.
- Seasonal tips – Book foliage weekends (late Sept–mid Oct) at least four weeks out. Winter roads can glaze overnight—carry chains and know New York’s seasonal tire rules.
READY TO ROLL EAST?
DM Vans now ships Lifestyle Vehicles® door‑to‑door anywhere on the East Coast—so your dream rig can be waiting in your driveway before the next long weekend. Find your perfect van with our interactive Van‑Finder, or schedule a call with one of our Van Consultants right now.
YOUR TURN
Already explored the Hudson Valley on wheels? Drop your secret trailheads, farm‑stand stops, and stealth‑camp tips in the comments below—help the next adventurer fall in love with the East Coast’s most underrated van‑life playground.
Everything you need, nothing you don’t—see you on the parkway.