Best Campgrounds near Athens, NY

The Catskill region near Athens, New York provides a mix of established campgrounds and recreational areas for outdoor enthusiasts seeking diverse camping experiences. North-South Lake Campground offers tent and RV sites with lake access, while places like Brookside Campground and Whip O Will Campsites cater to families with amenities like swimming pools and recreation areas. Several campgrounds in the area feature cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping options, including Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground and Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, both located within 20 miles of Athens.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Weather conditions vary considerably with elevation changes throughout the Catskills. "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas," noted one camper about storm conditions at Brookside Campground. Many campgrounds implement strict protocols regarding food storage and waste disposal due to bear activity in the region. Facilities range from rustic sites with minimal amenities to developed campgrounds with full hookups, showers, and camp stores.

Campers consistently rate water access as a primary attraction when selecting sites in the area. North-South Lake Campground receives positive reviews for its two lakes and swimming opportunities, while Lake Taghkanic State Park offers both tent camping and cabin options with lake frontage. Several visitors mention appreciating the mountainous terrain and hiking trails accessible from many campgrounds. One review pointed out that "most sites are a very nice size, owners are pleasant, very quiet and relaxing" at Brook N Wood Family Campground, though noting limited activities for children. When evaluating campgrounds, travelers should consider whether they prefer recreational-focused sites or locations that may include seasonal or permanent campers, as both types exist in the region and offer different camping experiences.

Best Camping Sites Near Athens, New York (171)

    1. North-South Lake Campground

    43 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 589-5058

    $22 - $44 / night

    "Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home."

    "Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer."

    2. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ancramdale, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 851-3631

    $21 - $195 / night

    "The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."

    "We decided on Lake Taghkanic. Lake Taghkanic State Park was not a long drive from NYC, maybe 2 hours. The campsite was very clean and maintained."

    3. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds

    16 Reviews
    Saugerties, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 246-8334

    "You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river but to do the river you’ll need a New York State fishing license."

    "I was a little skeptical that we wouldn’t get to choose our site, but you can’t go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated. The campground is centrally located you many things to do."

    4. Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park

    20 Reviews
    Copake Falls, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 329-3993

    $21 - $175 / night

    "I'm use to the rough and tough it of backpacking the AT Trail so this place had quite a few amenities I am not use to! Haha."

    "It wasn't too busy when we went- we got there on a Friday night around 6pm and were able to get a spot. There are also some fun activities within the campground, and things nearby."

    5. Schodack Island State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Coeymans, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 732-0187

    $21 - $30 / night

    "The park ensures you’ll have what you need with stores within close proximity and the staff even offers ice and firewood delivery to your site."

    "Wonderful hikes and beautiful walks. Boat docks looked pretty easy for ins and outs, and the pavilions were huge!"

    6. Whip O Will Campsites

    7 Reviews
    Round Top, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 622-3277

    $33 - $113 / night

    "From it bathrooms to its pool to its general store , playground , basketball courts , bocceball, 7 acre lake and 2 miles of walkable runable paths , Ted & Angela do a fantastic job of keeping the place"

    "It had a little arcade, a nice lake, and playground."

    7. Brookside Campground

    6 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 678-9729

    "The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."

    8. Treetopia Campground

    2 Reviews
    Catskill, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 943-4513

    $60 - $100 / night

    "Treetopia is a unique and truly amazing camping/Glamping experience in the Catskills, New York!"

    9. Foothills

    2 Reviews
    West Coxsackie, NY
    8 miles

    10. Camp Catskills

    1 Review
    Athens, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 517-4632

    $275 - $395 / night

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Recent Reviews near Athens, NY

651 Reviews of 171 Athens Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Great staff but back-to-back campsite

    We stayed a coupe of days in Oct. This is a beautiful site to camp out. The staffs are friendly and very attentive.
    Bathroom and water pressure was ok. But one shower location for 50 campsites. Three small showers units and three toilet.
    I never stayed a state campsite where the sites are so close each other. If you like a “normal” distance to your neighbors, I'd not recommend this place.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    New York City North-Newburgh KOA

    Good amenities and fun experience!

    Campsites Great campsites, wooded and cozy, though a little tight for longer rigs as our neighbors found out when they ran over a wooden post backing in. But spaced apart nicely with lots of vegetation between. Nice and level. Amenities Bathrooms are older and need of some repair but let me tell you I was very happy to see a normal shower head with real hot water! So no complaints here. Laundry facilities were clean and open 24/7 with reasonable prices 2.50/2.00 washer/dryer. And the dryers actually worked. Small dog park, communal spaces, and a camp store all made the place feel like a little village. They even have a wine store- cab sav was good. WiFi I work remotely and WiFi is always an issue. We have Starlink but in a wooded campsite, connecting is an issue but luckily their WiFi was great. Had no issues and could stream just fine. Halloween! We visited mid October and folks had sites decorated and the KOA has trick or treating and other activities every weekend in Oct. we were SO bummed to be leaving on a Friday and miss the festivities because it looked really fun. Would definitely go back. Also, staff was super nice.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brookside Campground

    Not a recreational campsite

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available on Google and Dyrt. However, when we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time. Just not the vibe I’m going for. We decided to leave without staying. We called to see if we could get a refund and they were very kind and it wasn’t a problem. But just be warned… this is not a recreational campsite.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Point Folly Campground

    Great

    I’ve been coming here for decades. Little store has what you need if you can find the shop keeper. Great access to bantam lake. You can leave you canoes/kayaks tied up in the water. Great fishing. Love it overall. The only issue I have is the pit toilets are brutal. If you are tent camping, beware!

  • Christine S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Quiet and clean

    So far it's been pretty quiet but we are here at the beginning of October on a Monday. Nice area.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Average

    We stayed one night in late September without a reservation. Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers. We’re from out of state and paid about $23 for a tent site which was reasonable for the facilities.


Guide to Athens

Camping near Athens, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails in the area. Campers have enjoyed the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer mentioning, "The Catskills are very scenic & we enjoyed our time there!" at North-South Lake Campground.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, offer fishing in private lakes and rivers. A visitor noted, "You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at local lakes. One camper at Taconic State Park said, "The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock."

What campers like:

  • Natural Beauty: Campers appreciate the stunning landscapes. A reviewer at Woodland Valley Campground described it as "Gorgeous. There was a brook not far from our campsite, and it was only a short stroll to the lake."
  • Privacy: Many sites are well-spaced, providing a sense of seclusion. One camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "Each of the campsites in our loop has a lot of foliage around it, creating privacy between you and the site next to you."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park said, "Pat and Gordon are incredibly welcoming hosts."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Little Pond - DEC noted, "No Verizon service and Starlink was spotty."
  • Facilities Vary: Some campgrounds have older facilities. A reviewer at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "The bathrooms are very old and very clean."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. One camper at North-South Lake Campground shared, "There are bears that visit the campground."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. A parent at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner said, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Kenneth L Wilson Campground noted, "The sites either side of us were closed for restoration thankfully."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Copake Falls Area - Taconic State Park mentioned, "There is a lot of noise, a lot of people."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds said, "We were within 2 inches or less of trees on 4 or 5 instances getting in and out of our site."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. One camper at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park appreciated the "plenty of water pressure with grey water hookups."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A visitor at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds mentioned, "They need to clear some of the roads if they are going to accommodate rigs over 40'."

Camping around Athens, NY, offers a variety of experiences, from peaceful nature retreats to family-friendly fun. Whether you're tent camping or bringing your RV, there's something for everyone in this beautiful region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Athens, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Athens, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 171 campgrounds and RV parks near Athens, NY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Athens, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Athens, NY is North-South Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 43 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Athens, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Athens, NY.