Camping options near Andes, New York range from primitive sites to luxury glamping accommodations across the western Catskill Mountains. Located at elevations between 1,300-2,500 feet, the area experiences cool nights even in summer, with temperatures often dropping below 50°F after sunset. The region sits within the 700,000-acre Catskill Park, where seasonal road closures can affect access to remote campsites from November through April.
What to do
Hiking at Alder Lake: Access multiple trail networks directly from the campground, including the 6+ mile connector trail and the loop trail around the lake. "We stayed three nights in late October. The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk. The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely," reports Erik C.
Fishing in the Beaverkill: Cast for trout in one of the Northeast's premier fly fishing destinations. Roscoe Campsites sits right on this legendary river. According to Richard V., "Right on the Beaverkill River, it's quiet, clean, gorgeous, brand new cabins and concrete pads. Fisherman's heaven."
Water activities: Swim, paddle, or float at Russell Brook where guests enjoy direct water access. "Our site was massive (39) and had direct access to Russell Brook. Couldn't keep my son out of the water," notes Mike C. about his stay at Russell Brook Campsites.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Away from crowded campgrounds, glamping close to Andes, New York provides privacy and quiet. "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables," notes a camper about Alder Lake.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain spotless bathrooms and showers throughout the season. "Bathrooms are clean, campground could use a little more attention to cleanliness but overall not bad," reports Mike C. about Roscoe Campsites.
Stargazing opportunities: With minimal light pollution, the night skies provide exceptional star-viewing. "We arrived here early afternoon, which ended up being perfect timing as we could set up everything and catch sunset by the fire. There's no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream," notes Nora S.
Family-friendly amenities: Country Roads Campground offers activities for all ages. William R. mentions, "They have special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo."
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have reported water issues. At Nickerson Park, one camper warned, "The water smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored. Little to no pressure and a couple times no water at all."
Cellular service limitations: Many campgrounds have spotty or no cell coverage. "No cell service. If you bring a handsaw you'll be good for firewood. Bugs were pretty bad," reports gabe about Alder Lake.
Site differences: Tent sites and RV sites often have very different features. "The 'tent sites' are not actually built for tents. The ground is worn over and very rocky. If you visit, bring incredibly thick sleeping pads or air mattresses," advises a visitor to Nickerson Park.
Seasonal variability: Crazy Acres Campground operates from mid-April through October, with different amenities available depending on the season. "Very quiet as they had just opened," noted Wilson W. about his early season visit.
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront activities: Choose sites with stream or lake access for built-in entertainment. "Couldn't keep my son out of the water. Very peaceful. Felt like we had the place to ourselves," reports Mike C. about Russell Brook.
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Crazy Acres, Robert M. shares, "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well."
Spacious sites: Select larger sites that offer room for kids to play safely. "We are tent campers...The farm, playground, beach, and shallow river make it a great, easy entry point for new and younger campers," notes a visitor about their experience.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Check whether your site has a concrete pad or natural surface before arrival. As Ryan B. notes about Roscoe, "We are camp newbies and I guess we didn't do enough research because this place was RVs and Cabin mecca."
Access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "It was not the easiest for my RV van to get up the hill with the ruts, but I have a small lift so it helps, lower clearance vans might not make it," warns SJ W. about accessing Alder Lake.
Hookup availability: Verify what connections are available at your specific site. "Convenient WSE hookup right at site. Staff was friendly. It was hard to pre book a site though. You can't do it online, you have to email," shares Jen B. about Deer Haven Campground.
