Bear Spring Mountain DEC campground sits in the western Catskill Mountains at approximately 1,900 feet elevation, about an hour from Binghamton, New York. The campground operates within a 7,000-acre wildlife management area with varied terrain including wooded hills, open meadows, and natural streams. Winter temperatures in this region typically drop to the 20s while summer averages range from 65-80°F.
What to do
Hiking through diverse terrain: Lackawanna State Park features "a very large pool, boat rental" and "amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails" according to Janet R., who appreciates that the park offers "something for everyone" through its environmental education center and variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Fishing in pristine waters: Keen Lake Resort provides excellent fishing opportunities where "the kids caught multiple sunnies and even a small perch" as Shannon C. notes. The lake access allows campers to enjoy both fishing and paddling with "SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake" directly from lakeside sites.
Horseback riding on bridle paths: Bear Spring Mountain campground maintains extensive horse trails throughout its wildlife management area. According to J G., "there is an area for day use where you can rent a paddle boat or kayak to go out on the water. Highly recommended if you like hiking."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Keen Lake Resort Campground maintains "the cleanest [bathrooms] we've ever experienced at a campground" according to Emily Z., who also notes that "the store has a huge selection of necessities, so no need to worry about forgetting things."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Campers appreciate the organized activities for children at many campgrounds. As Mike H. shares about Keen Lake, "my boys absolutely love it and always have something to do. They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Privacy and space: Lackawanna State Park offers varying levels of site privacy. Michael notes that "some [sites] are a little close to each other, but others offer plenty of space, including our site (52) on this trip. One of the biggest spots we have ever had."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most horse campgrounds near Binghamton operate seasonally from late spring through fall. Lackawanna State Park has a specific season "from 2nd Friday in April to 3rd Sunday in October" with winter activities including ice skating with warming houses during colder months.
Horse-specific considerations: Some camping loops at Bear Spring Mountain have a distinct barn smell. Kevin T. observes "there is horses so you will smell them," while Amber A. notes "there are two areas for camping, check out both though one smells kind of like a barn."
Site selection matters: When booking at Keen Lake, Emily Z. recommends to "get a site on the lake" and notes "if you don't want to drive during your stay, camp on the side with the beach and pool."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Samantha S. found that Keen Lake Resort "is perfect for families, beginners, adventurers, and fisherman alike. They have an overabundance amount of activities scheduled for campers."
Playground access: Several equestrian campgrounds near Binghamton include play areas for children. Cheryl M. notes that Lackawanna State Park offers a "nice play area for kids, water craft rentals, nice lake. Plenty of picnic areas for day trips."
Safety considerations: At Bear Spring Mountain, make sure to follow proper wildlife protocols. Amber A. reminds visitors to "obey bear rules!" when camping in this Catskills region, where black bears are common residents.
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Check power capacity at older campgrounds. David reported issues at Lackawanna State Park where "two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained."
Site dimensions: Harry L. found that Keen Lake Resort had sufficient space for larger rigs, noting "they were very organized in the office" and responsive to maintenance needs with quick service when hookup issues arose.
Weather preparation: Be ready for potential wet conditions at campsites during rainy periods. Lou R. cautions that when it "rained and our campsite turned into a complete mud pit" at Keen Lake, it significantly impacted their camping experience.
Ranger
