178 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Catskill Mountains surrounding Big Indian, New York provide a range of camping options from primitive backcountry sites to established campgrounds. Woodland Valley Campground, located near Phoenicia, offers tent and RV camping with amenities including picnic tables, fire pits and showers. Other notable camping areas include Giant Ledge Primitive Camp for backpackers and Allaben Campground, which provides free dispersed camping. The region features both DEC-managed facilities and primitive sites throughout the Catskill Forest Preserve, allowing visitors to choose between developed campgrounds and more secluded wilderness experiences.
Camping seasons in the area typically run from mid-May through early October, with most established campgrounds closing for winter. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall foliage season. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region, with visitors noting complete lack of coverage at Woodland Valley and other campgrounds. The terrain varies from accessible drive-in sites to challenging hike-in locations that require proper preparation. Higher elevation sites like Giant Ledge feature rocky, steep approaches. According to one visitor, "It is a near vertical hike the first mile with 90% or more being over rock gardens. It doesn't wind its way up the mountain, someone picked a side and said 'we go straight up.'"
Proximity to water ranks as a primary consideration for many campers choosing sites in this region. Several campgrounds feature stream access, providing both recreational opportunities and natural ambiance. Woodland Valley Campground receives positive reviews for its streamside sites, with one camper noting that "the mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing." The area's mixed-use campgrounds balance access to hiking trails with comfortable amenities. Sites at North-South Lake and Kenneth L. Wilson campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping with hook-ups available. For more rugged experiences, primitive camping options in the Catskills provide greater solitude but require visitors to pack in all supplies and follow leave-no-trace principles.
"Near the Big Indian Wilderness and Sundown Wild Forest in the Catskills, so there’s a lot of hiking and nature to explore."
"water to play in right behind tent. I do prefer fire pits over the brick stove. this had the stove. more advanced hiking in walking distance. no cell service. my gps on phone was able to track though."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This campground is nestled in the Catskills, New York, with easy access to New Jersey and Connecticut."
"Access to fresh water spouts and clean bathrooms were just a walk away from most sites, theres a beautiful pond on site and beautiful views of the Catskills, Woodstock is a 15 min drive if you’re looking"
from $22 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Pros: Near wonderful, little-used hiking trails - challenging ones, too!
- Close to Catskill town options to explore, e.g."
"You can see a picture here of the water just a 10 foot trail away from our campsite. All in all a great trip."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"You will see a yellow little circle sign on a tree with a tent on it, a short distance down that side trail there is the site. It has rock benches and a fire pit. Primitive."
"However the descriptions of this place in reviews here and elsewhere provided very little info and once I got out to the trail realized how different it was to what I expected."
"this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"
"It was close to trails and town"
from $16 / night
Check Availability"A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table"
"Short walk to all campsites."
"Right outside downtown Phoenicia the black bear campground is perfectly situated for a multitude of activities. They offer creek front and wooded campsites."
"2 minutes walk to town"
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability"There are two campsites located right outside of the park where you can park your car next to your tent but we opted to hike in."
"There are several beautiful, secluded hike-in sites along the lake which I would love to return to someday. The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk."
"Cool spot next to a pond. There are a few others that aren’t next to a pond, and therefore not as cool… but still pretty cool bc it’s free and you can walk up a little to a pond."
"Nice spot right off the main road and close to town. Small pond-don’t think there are any fish. Picnic table. Fire pit with cooking griddle. Trails to the fishing access across the road."
ScoutOctober leaves starting to fall makes for a very quiet, peaceful midweek evening in one of the two dispersed car camping sites. Exactly what I was hoping for - private and empty and lovely. Easy to find - two dispersed car sites are to the left at the fork in the road before the trailhead.
GuideMade a reservation (site44) since I arrived as the sun had set. Office registration was open until 8. Staff was neither friendly nor unfriendly. Bathroom was dated but fine and a short walk from my site. CG was emptier being a Tuesday night in mid-October, so was plenty of space.
Great trail following the Hudson River. Beautiful fall colors.
ScoutI stayed here in March 2026 for a night before going snowboarding at Belleayre Mountain. It was in the middle of a snowstorm on a Tuesday night, so I had the whole place to myself, which was nice.
TravelerA nice wooded campground that was quiet despite being almost full on our Friday night stay.
The site we stayed at (64) had some pretty large roots to drive over and may have been an issue for a low clearance vehicle (we have a Subaru Outback).
The shower / house bathroom combo units weee very clean with hot water and baby changing station.
ScoutNice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
LegendMostly peaceful campground with nice spots, most of which offer some privacy. If you are bothered by trains, note that you will hear them in the background quite frequently from the railroad bridge that passes over the Hudson River. It's not loud by any means, but you can hear them.
The state park staff and the camp hosts were all very friendly, and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a state park.
Site 20 is a pull through site and it's huge, and while it is next to the shower building, it's far enough away that it really isn't a problem. Also, the field between you and the shower building is a fantastic spot to set up a Starlink dish.
Travelerbeautiful quiet space, great home base for the Catskills and small towns around here. note there's only a few spots. road conditions were fine.
RangerI'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
The Catskill Mountains near Big Indian offer camping experiences across varying elevations from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. Temperatures in this region typically drop 3-5 degrees for every 1,000 feet gained in elevation, creating distinctly cooler conditions at higher elevation campsites compared to valley locations. Campgrounds throughout the area range from free dispersed sites to established facilities with moderate amenities, most operating from mid-May through early October.
Hiking near Giant Ledge: Access challenging trails directly from Giant Ledge Primitive Camp for experienced hikers prepared for steep terrain. The initial climb requires proper preparation as one camper notes, "It is a near vertical hike the first mile with 90% or more being over rock gardens. It doesn't wind its way up the mountain, someone picked a side and said 'we go straight up.'" Spring water sources are accessible near campsites.
Swimming in mountain lakes: Take advantage of the clear mountain waters at North-South Lake Campground for family-friendly swimming options. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares one regular visitor. The dual lakes provide ample space despite summer crowds.
Paddling opportunities: Rent canoes or kayaks at several area campgrounds to explore mountain ponds and lakes. Little Pond Campground offers watercraft rentals and wildlife viewing opportunities, with a camper reporting, "Got a kayak for the day and it was a great rate. Saw beavers and eagles." The small size of many Catskill lakes makes them manageable for beginners and children.
Streamside sites: Many campers prioritize water access when choosing Kenneth L. Wilson Campground sites, providing natural cooling and ambient sounds. "Although no cell service site was nice. Very nice (clean) bathrooms and showers. Private level site surrounded by trees. EZ access to fresh water spigot," reports one visitor. Stream access serves both recreational and practical purposes.
Primitive camping solitude: Free dispersed sites at Allaben Campground offer basic accommodations with more privacy than established facilities. "A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table," notes one camper. Another adds, "Close to town, but private. Park on side of road, campfire located down slope. Very little traffic. Felt safe."
Secluded walk-in options: Several campgrounds feature hike-in sites for those willing to carry gear short distances. At Alder Lake, "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables. There's no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream." Sites typically require walks of 0.5-1 mile from parking areas.
Bear safety requirements: Black bears frequent many Catskill campgrounds, requiring proper food storage. "We did not see any but definite signs of them," notes one Giant Ledge camper. Some walk-in sites provide bear boxes, but vehicle camping typically requires storing food in cars overnight. Rangers actively monitor compliance.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity remains minimal to non-existent throughout the region, requiring advance planning. At Little Pond Campground, "Cell service is non existent and they have a pay phone near the entrance booth where you can use to make/receive phone calls. It's a 20 min drive back into town to get cell service."
Firewood availability: Not all campgrounds sell firewood on-site, creating potential challenges for campers. "The campground does not sell wood, but rangers will direct you to a gas station close by where you can buy some," explains one Kenneth L. Wilson visitor. New York State prohibits transporting untreated firewood more than 50 miles to prevent spread of invasive species.
Consider shower access: Not all Catskill campgrounds provide shower facilities, making options with this amenity valuable for longer family stays. "The bathrooms were fine. They were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper. The showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!" reports one Kenneth L. Wilson camper.
Waterfront site selection: Families often prefer sites near water for recreation and entertainment value. At North-South Lake Campground, proximity to swimming areas proves valuable: "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect."
Beginner-friendly trails: Select campgrounds with gentle hiking options directly accessible from camping areas for young explorers. At Woodland Valley Campground, "If you like to camp by water, this is the perfect place for you. It has amazing on the water sites you can camp at, plus a stunning view of the Catskills. The hikes are just easy enough for anyone in the family."
Road access considerations: Access roads to many Catskill campgrounds feature steep grades, sharp turns, and occasional rough sections. Devil's Tombstone Campground accommodates smaller RVs and campervans despite limited space: "We had a VW Westfalia, which we had no trouble pulling into our site. If we had something bigger, it might have been an issue."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region feature sloped terrain requiring leveling equipment. One Kenneth L. Wilson visitor noted, "Campsite is flat and packed dirt instead of gravel, which was great," highlighting that level sites remain a valued feature in the mountainous terrain.
Limited hookups: Most Catskill campgrounds offer partial or no hookups, requiring self-containment. "This campground has no hookups for RVs, the only facilities they do offer are bathrooms and showers," explains a Little Pond camper, emphasizing the importance of arriving with full water tanks and empty waste tanks when selecting more remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regulations should I know before camping in Big Indian Wilderness?
When camping in Big Indian Wilderness, you must camp at designated primitive sites or at least 150 feet from any water source, trail, or road. Campfires are allowed but must be kept small and attended at all times. Group size is limited to 9 people for primitive camping. A free permit is required for groups of 10+ or stays longer than 3 nights. Bear-resistant food storage is essential as black bears are common in the area. Devil's Tombstone Campground staff can provide current regulations information, as they're familiar with the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness area regulations, which are similar to Big Indian's. No motorized vehicles are permitted in wilderness areas, and practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash.
Is there a developed campground in Big Indian, NY?
While there isn't a developed campground directly in Big Indian, NY, several excellent options exist nearby. Kenneth L Wilson Campground is nestled in the Catskills with large, tree-surrounded campsites providing a good balance of privacy and community. It features basic amenities including showers. For a more luxurious experience, Phoenicia Black Bear Campground offers both creek front and wooded campsites, each with fire rings and picnic tables. It's conveniently located near downtown Phoenicia, making it an excellent base for exploring the Big Indian area while enjoying developed camping facilities. Both campgrounds provide good access to the hiking trails and natural beauty of the Big Indian region.
Where are the designated camping areas in Big Indian Wilderness?
Big Indian Wilderness offers primitive camping options rather than developed campgrounds within its boundaries. Giant Ledge Primitive Camp provides hike-in access for backcountry camping. The Peekamoose Valley area also offers primitive camping spots with basic facilities. For those seeking established sites near Big Indian Wilderness, Woodland Valley Campground — DEC is located nearby and provides access to the wilderness area's extensive trail network. Remember that backcountry camping in the Catskills requires following proper regulations, including camping at designated sites or at least 150 feet from water sources, roads or trails.
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