Camp Liahona, Holmes, NY

Introduction / Overview

For New York-based organizations, large families, or church groups seeking a beautiful, spacious, and dedicated retreat location within easy reach of the downstate region, Camp Liahona in Holmes, NY, is an exceptionally well-suited destination. Nestled within the scenic and tranquil landscape of Dutchess County in the Lower Hudson River Valley, Camp Liahona is primarily known as a group-oriented facility, managed and utilized extensively by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its youth programs and community gatherings. This operational focus means the campground is designed to handle large groups efficiently, providing a structured, safe, and family-friendly environment.

The camp offers a refreshing break from the intensity of city and suburban life, providing a classic, simple outdoor experience. Patrons consistently praise its "exceptionally beautiful" setting and the ability to host meaningful gatherings, such as annual church picnics, which serve as vital opportunities for community connection that are often hard to maintain in busy New York lives. Activities focus on wholesome, straightforward outdoor fun—swimming, games, and fellowship—making it a perfect venue for creating lasting, positive memories for youth and families across the region.

Importantly for New Yorkers, its location provides an accessible escape. While it offers a rustic, wilderness feel, the camp is close enough to major roadways to be reached without a burdensome trip, a crucial factor for day-use events or multi-day retreats originating from the Tri-State area.

Location and Accessibility

Camp Liahona is geographically situated in a beautiful, accessible part of the Hudson Valley, specifically at 1790 NY-292, Holmes, NY 12531, USA. This address places it in the hill country of northern Putnam County and southern Dutchess County, a region celebrated by New Yorkers for its rolling hills, forests, and wetlands.

The campground is strategically located near Whaley Lake in the southeast corner of Dutchess County, providing scenic water access which is a major draw. Accessibility is excellent, particularly for groups traveling from New York City, Long Island, and surrounding upstate areas. The camp is less than two hours from Manhattan and is easily reached via major corridors such as Interstate 84 (I-84) and Interstate 684 (I-684), or from Poughkeepsie via Route 55. Detailed directions confirm that the site is designed to accommodate the traffic flow of groups, with clear road signs and identifiable landmarks, ensuring a smooth arrival for New York-based event organizers and participants. This blend of wild beauty and convenient travel makes it a practical choice for local group functions.

Services Offered

Camp Liahona’s core services are structured around providing a safe, functional, and engaging setting for youth camps, community gatherings, and large group retreats:

Lake and Waterfront Use: The property features lake access for swimming, which is a key summer activity. Camp operating procedures emphasize safety, requiring supervision by certified water safety instructors and lifeguards during use, offering peace of mind to New York parents and event planners.
Sports and Recreation Areas: The camp includes open fields for games and outdoor activities, as well as an indoor gymnasium or basketball court. These areas allow for both simple grass games and organized sports, ensuring activities are available regardless of the weather.
Lodging and Housing: The facility is equipped to house groups, though specific details vary. Generally, camps like this offer cabins or dorm-style accommodations with bunks, providing a traditional summer camp experience for the youth programs they host.
Group Meeting Spaces: It is set up to handle large gatherings, which is crucial for the picnics and religious services held on-site. These facilities may include large outdoor pavilions or indoor meeting rooms for fellowship, dining, and activities.
Essential Utilities: The camp provides essential utilities to support group stays, including restroom and shower facilities, ensuring the basic needs of all campers and attendees are met during their retreat.

Features / Highlights

The primary highlights of Camp Liahona revolve around its natural setting and its suitability as a dedicated group-use facility, making it stand out to New York residents searching for a quality group retreat experience:

Dedicated Group Focus: Unlike public campgrounds, Camp Liahona is designed specifically for group rentals, ensuring that the entire space—from the lakeside to the gym—is available to the booked organization, facilitating unity and effective programming.
Beautiful Lakeside Environment: The access to a lake and the surrounding forests provides the perfect backdrop for photography, quiet contemplation, and a wide array of water-based activities that are essential for a classic New York summer camp experience.
Variety of Simple Activities: The camp fosters simple, clean fun with activities like lake swimming, playing games on the grass, and shooting hoops. This emphasis on simple, nature-based enjoyment is a highlight for groups aiming for digital detox and genuine human connection.
Spiritual and Community Hub: For the local church community, it acts as a much-appreciated central location for annual traditions, helping families in the widespread New York region stay connected and build bonds away from their individual congregation locations.
Hudson Valley Accessibility: Being situated in the beautiful and convenient Hudson Valley makes the camp feel like a distant retreat while remaining practical for regional travel, minimizing logistical headaches for New York-based planners.

Contact Information

For New York groups and organizations interested in learning more about the facilities and booking Camp Liahona for an event, retreat, or large picnic, please use the following contact information. Note that, given its primary use by a major religious organization, booking information may best be acquired through direct inquiry or by contacting the organization that manages the facility's scheduling.

Address: 1790 NY-292, Holmes, NY 12531, USA

Phone: This campground's primary contact number is not widely published for public rentals and is best obtained by calling the local administrative offices of the group that owns and manages the facility. It is recommended to use the phone number from an officially affiliated organization or search for a general camp office contact for the most current information.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Camp Liahona in Holmes, NY, is more than just a campground; it is a vital community hub and a premier group-use facility perfectly suited for New York locals. Its suitability stems from its ability to offer a truly rustic, beautiful, and structured retreat experience without demanding an unreasonable travel time. For New York-based religious stakes, non-profits, or large groups, the existence of a facility dedicated to youth and community programming—complete with lakeside access, sports fields, and housing—is an incredible asset.

The glowing customer reviews highlight its unique role in facilitating deep community connection, stating that it "really helps out" to see family and friends in a busy world. This proves its value to New Yorkers: a dedicated, beautiful space for fellowship, simplicity, and recreation that strengthens the bonds of local communities. By offering a sanctuary for simple pleasures like swimming, games, and large picnics, Camp Liahona stands as an indispensable retreat center for groups across the greater New York region.