RV campgrounds near Bethel, New York sit in the western Catskill Mountains, an area characterized by rolling hills and elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with hot summers, colorful fall foliage, and cold winters that close most camping options from November through April. Summer weekend camping requires reservations weeks or months in advance due to limited availability.
What to Do
River activities: The Delaware River runs through the region, offering recreation opportunities at several campgrounds. At Soaring Eagle Campground, guests enjoy direct river access. "Nice campground right on the Delaware river great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing," noted a visitor.
Farm experiences: Several RV resorts near Bethel offer agricultural activities. Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort provides interactions with farm animals. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," reports one camper, while another noted "important to not miss: the amazingly beautiful miniature horse that wonders around its huge pin located in the middle of the campground."
Game room activities: Many campgrounds in the Bethel area maintain indoor recreation facilities for rainy days. Mountain Top RV Park features "a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a TV and puzzles/board games," according to a recent visitor.
What Campers Like
Creek access: Natural water features enhance camping experiences near Bethel. One visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley remarked, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish." These water features provide natural cooling and exploration opportunities during summer months.
Wooded privacy: Despite being established campgrounds, many RV parks maintain natural surroundings. As one camper described, "This is what I want for a Catskill campground. It is not a concrete pad haven." Another noted that "the sites are nicely wooded."
Weekend activities: Skyway Camping Resort schedules family-friendly weekend programming during peak season. "Nice pool, this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites," reports one visitor. Other campgrounds in the area offer "hayride, animals to feed" and "plenty of planned activities to keep you occupied."
What You Should Know
Variable spacing: Site dimensions differ significantly at Bethel-area RV parks. "The sites are well groomed. We had one and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee," noted one camper at Rondout Valley. At other facilities, visitors report "sites on top of each other" with limited separation.
Weather considerations: The mountainous terrain creates weather challenges throughout the camping season. "When you leave you have to drive the wrong way in the campground because of the low hanging trees the correct direction," warned one RVer about Pleasant Acres Farm. Another mentioned that "the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
Infrastructure updates: Mountain Top RV Park has recently made significant improvements to their facilities. "The newly upgraded camp infrastructure elevated the stay, providing amenities for comfort and entertainment. The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience," according to one visitor.
Tips for Camping with Families
Wildlife observation: Children enjoy the natural encounters possible at campgrounds near Bethel. "My daughter loved the horses and goats" at Pleasant Acres Farm, shared one parent. At others, kids can explore creeks for small wildlife.
Multiple playgrounds: Facilities targeting families maintain play structures throughout their grounds. "My kids explored the playground and found it sufficient," noted one parent about Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South. Another mentioned having "a small playground that would be better suited for older children."
Weekend noise levels: Family-friendly doesn't always mean quiet, especially during peak season. One camper mentioned "We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers. (At least they turned off the music at quiet hours)." Another noted being "pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was" despite being a large family campground.
Tips from RVers
Overnight stops: Some RV campgrounds near Bethel work better for overnight stays than extended visits. At Tri-State RV Park, one RVer described it as "a parking lot with hookups" but appreciated that it was "Safe, clean, and right on the Delaware River. Groceries and Home Depot close buy if you need to restock." Another called it "Perfect for an overnight stop."
Connectivity considerations: Cell coverage varies dramatically throughout the region. "Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity," reported one camper. Another mentioned "the cell service for most providers is practically non-existent."
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require adjustments for level parking. Visitors report that sites are "overgrown with weeds, un-level" at some locations, while others note "Our site was even and easy to level on." Bring leveling blocks when visiting RV campgrounds in the mountainous Bethel area.
