Searching for the best camping near Big Indian, NY? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Big Indian is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Big Indian and user-submitted reviews.
$20 / night
"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."
$22 / night
"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"
$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."
$22 / night
"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."
"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."
$16 / night
"this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"
"It was close to trails and town"
$35 - $65 / night
"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"
"A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table"
"Short walk to all campsites."
"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."
"We got to the spot at around 4pm, and choose a spot in the “upper field”, although we didn’t see anyone at the lower spots on the road."
"This was a good campground for a base point for hiking around the peekamoose area. I stayed in the middle field campground site #6 (which is the worst spot on that field)."
GuideWe 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.
RangerThis is an old campground, but is quite quaint. Reminds me of lake camping that I grew up with. Hosts are very nice and helpful. This is more of a seasonal camping site. Do not follow your GPS directions. Get directions from the campground staff.
TravelerDespite current info posted online and even at the Lower Field site, not all sites are open. Only the Lower Field site is open. We walked down the hill, across the bridge, and looked at a few sites in each direction. It was walk-in only and about a 5-10 minute walk to the first site. The setting was nice, close to the creek, with a stone fire ring at each. You can see the folks in the next site but there’s quite a bit of privacy. There wasn’t much wood laying around to make a fire, so plan ahead. The ports potties are in the parking lot so it’s likely that you won’t make the trek up to them. Make sure you know the rules about how far away from the water you should pee and whatnot. I believe it’s on the info sign nearby. We have a roof top tent and we were stopping in the middle of a long drive so we just waited until dark and popped it in the parking lot and then left in the morning but I don’t think you’re supposed to do that. FYI they empty the dumpsters at 4am on Monday and then do the ports potties at 7am. Yay.
TravelerNice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff.
TravelerWell maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups.
GuideI didn’t hate this campground, but I won’t be going back.
It’s a nice campground and perfect for single/family camping. I would not choose this location if I were taking a group of people. The sites are on the smaller side and many have slanted entrances.
The campground is kept clean and the bathrooms were tidy. The campground is in bear country so you have to be mindful about leaving food out when you’re not at the site or asleep.
There is a pond and there’s kayaks, canoes, etc for rent. The beach area is clean and the water is clear. I was there middle of August and the water was not cold and quite comfortable. There are some water front sites that you can use to access the water with a boat or paddle board.
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. That’s a non- starter for me. It would be beneficial if they had service near the entrance at least for people to check in with Family.
ScoutStay clear! Owner is a rude, nasty, vile human being! He doesn’t care about paying costumers, they are a nuisance to him! He overcharges customers constantly. Cabins and bathrooms are filthy. 0 stars
LegendGreat campground very well kept and closest to Dreams Park. We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and / or on your own. Security gate to enter and exit, pool, store, arcade, wide open where the RV’s are.
LegendCute cabins, lots of great amenities, pools, corn hole, volleyball net, nicely kept baseball fields , store, areas for group picnics. You could have the whole team stay here in the cabins and bring RV’s too. Only 10min or so to dreams park. Wooded area where RV’s are and separate area where the cabins are. Great spot. Festive and well kept.
Camping near Big Indian, New York, offers a fantastic escape into nature with a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Camping near Big Indian, New York, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With beautiful scenery and a variety of campgrounds, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next getaway!
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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