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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"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"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)."
GuideSpent one night here. The park is quiet. The facilities are a little outdated, although they said that newer ones had been built by the marina. I wasn’t up for the 15 minute walk, having just hiked up a mountain. My spot included electrical and water hook ups.
GuideWe've only stayed overnight at this campground. Roads are all paved, and some sites as well. They stagger the campers so that you don't look right into another camper, which makes it feel like you are camping in the woods.
Lots of trees so watch DVD or OTA television as you likely won't get satellite TV in your rig. Large swimming pool and playground for kids. There is an activity center where you can get something to eat, and sit on the deck to enjoy the scenery.
Sites are level. Staff are friendly. The camp store is large and well stocked in just about anything that you could need.
Enough trees that if you have a large rig and are towing you need to use some care leaving your RV site.
GuideThis is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State. The campsites are well laid out, the surroundings are stunning, and the entire campground is very clean and well maintained. We visited in October, and it was pleasantly uncrowded, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful fall scenery made for a perfect camping trip. I'm not sure how busy it gets during the peak summer season, but our autumn visit was fantastic. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back.
GuideGood, quiet place to spend the night, but there are a few things to keep in mind. This is primarily a climbers’ campground, so by around 9 PM most people are already asleep and the lights are off. If you’re looking for a peaceful and quiet night, that’s definitely a plus. Sites 8–15 were our favorite because they are away from vehicle traffic. Site #8 is probably the best of them. Site #15 is only about a 2-minute walk from the parking area at a brisk pace, but that’s without carrying gear. If you have a lot of equipment or heavy bags, these sites may not be the most convenient choice. The showers cost $0.25 per minute, and don’t be surprised if you end up sharing the changing area with another person. Overall, this is a simple, quiet place to sleep and rest for the night rather than a destination campground with lots of amenities
GuideOur site had a lot of space. Watched a video on YouTube that was a walk through of each site. So peaceful. Lots of good hiking. Sinks for dishes, clean bathrooms and showers.
ScoutWe have camped for years all over the Northeast and have never experienced campground staff as rude, patronizing, and overbearing as we did at Devil’s Tombstone Campground. It felt like our group was constantly being watched and corrected over every minor thing imaginable instead of simply being treated like paying guests trying to enjoy the weekend. The campground itself was disappointing, but the staff attitude was by far the worst part of the experience. Unless you want to be nitpicked every time you do literally anything, then you might not want to camp here.
ScoutWe have camped for years all over the Northeast and have never experienced campground staff as rude, patronizing, and overbearing as we did at Devil’s Tombstone Campground. It felt like our group was constantly being watched and corrected over every minor thing imaginable instead of simply being treated like paying guests trying to enjoy a weekend camping. The campground itself was disappointing, but the staff attitude was by far the worst part of the experience. We do not recommend this campground to anyone, unless you want to have anxiety when they drive by every 5 minutes to check on every minor thing. By the way, the walk from the check in shack to the end of the campground is at most 0.2 miles.
ScoutFYI this is my first time ever writing a negative campground review, but this experience deserves one. Our large family group stayed at Devil’s Tombstone Campground over Memorial Day weekend, and despite having camped dozens of times over the years, this was by far the worst campground and staff experience we’ve ever had.
When we arrived there was no caretaker present, no cell service to call the posted number, and we were later condescendingly told we “should have checked in” and “should have knocked”— both of which we did. We were then told the posted number was “only for emergencies,” despite nowhere stating that. The first caretaker who checked us in was pleasant, but after that it felt like staff constantly monitored and corrected our group over extremely minor issues: partially parking on grass, briefly parking near the bathroom walkway, plugging into an outlet near the restroom during 40-degree rainy weather, hanging signs, and even checking our tarp lines on trees. Many of these rules were not posted anywhere.
After someone plugged into the bathroom outlet because they were freezing (there was no sign that said you couldn't and it was not listed in the rules), the bathroom power was shut off entirely, leaving the bathrooms without lights at night, which created an obvious safety issue. Around the same time, a camera suddenly appeared near the outlet area, which felt excessive and uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, staff spent hours mowing, weed-whacking, and chain sawing during the middle of Friday on Memorial Day weekend while simultaneously nitpicking campers over every little thing.
The final straw was being told we could not use a fully enclosed propane fire pit with no embers during cold, windy, rainy weather. After expressing frustration over the constant nitpicking, forest rangers were called on us the next morning. Staff reportedly told them we had garbage and food everywhere, which was completely false. Thankfully the rangers themselves were respectful and seemed to quickly realize we were simply a group trying to enjoy our weekend.
The campground itself was also very misleading compared to online photos. The “lake” is more like a shallow pond unsuitable for meaningful fishing, kayaking, or swimming. The supposedly stocked creek running through the campground was completely dry, there is no running water in the bathrooms, and a main road cuts directly through the campground with traffic flying by at highway speeds.
We still managed to have fun because we enjoy spending time outdoors together, but we would absolutely not return or recommend this campground.
ScoutOwners are amazing, family oriented, campground has tons for kids to do and is close to Roscoe. Our family goes every year
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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