Catskill Mountains camping areas near Cairo, New York typically open from May through October, with peak season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The region sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 4,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between valley campgrounds and mountain sites. Many campgrounds in this area require campers to store food in hard-sided containers due to increased black bear activity in recent years.
What to do
Hiking from campgrounds: Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers nearly 4 miles of trails within the property itself. According to camper Phillip L., the campground has "constructed a really nice fishing pier" and made significant improvements to the hiking infrastructure in recent years.
Swimming in natural settings: At North-South Lake Campground, visitors have access to two connected lakes. Lizz H. notes, "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time."
Boating opportunities: Schodack Island State Park Campground features a boat ramp on the Hudson River. Kevin C. observes that "the day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River" is a standout feature, though he cautions, "stay away if you see boat going by. The boat ramp dock turns into a death trap when a big wake from a boat hits the river bank!"
Wildlife observation: The Catskill region supports diverse bird populations. At Schodack Island State Park, Patsy E. reports success "hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle." The park offers specific wildlife viewing structures throughout its trail system.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many Catskill campgrounds offer secluded camping experiences. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, Melanie H. reports that "site 71 was separated a little bit from other sites as you can see on the map which was so nice and also just a 20-second walk from the bathroom."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for their amenities. At Kenneth L Wilson, Daniel L. notes "Very nice (clean) bathrooms and showers. Private level site surrounded by trees. EZ access to fresh water spigot."
Proximity to small towns: The best places to camp near Cairo, New York often provide access to charming local communities. At Schodack Island State Park, Brittany V. recommends: "check out the USS Slater and the Schuyler House for sure!" while Melanie H. mentions stopping in "Woodstock, NY on the way back which was a cute town."
Creek access: Water features beyond lakes also enhance camping experiences. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, Kathy G. appreciates that "the creek on the property (Plattekill) is great, the pond is fun to fish in," noting these water features complement the full hookups available at the site.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, Daniel L. states there is "No cell service site was nice," while Melanie H. confirms "We didn't really see much wildlife and barely any bugs/mosquitos which was maybe the time of year (early/mid-June)."
Road noise at some sites: Proximity to roadways affects some camping locations. At Devil's Tombstone Campground, Sam L. notes "State Route 214 divides the campground in half, and you could hear road noises from our site, but they quieted down by 6:00."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in the Catskills fill quickly during peak season. At Devil's Tombstone, Gavin T. calls it "a worthy spot to get some rest between hikes in the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness," but warns that "for reservation you have to book 2 days ahead."
Limited amenities at some locations: Services vary between campgrounds. At Devil's Tombstone, Sam L. reports "There weren't a ton of services at the campsite, which was fine. No showers or hookups. The toilets were pit toilets, which could have been cleaner."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several Catskill campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. At Whip O Will Campsites, Nicole S. notes the "nice lake, and playground," adding that "the campground was so huge the grounds were so nice. It had a little arcade, a nice lake, and playground."
Kid-friendly activities: Organized events enhance family camping experiences. Scott D. describes Whip O Will as having "tons to do" and mentions the "Super Friendly Community!" that makes it suitable for families.
Education opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences for children. At Schodack Island State Park, Tamara S. calls it a "Great place for family fun and education," noting that "they have excellent services and activities. Kudos to the Rangers!"
Swimming options: Pool facilities provide safer alternatives to natural water bodies for families with young children. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, Richard V. describes "a great pool" as part of what makes it an "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Terrain in the Catskills often presents difficulties for larger vehicles. At Devil's Tombstone Campground, Sam L. reports "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."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary between campgrounds. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, C O. mentions that it was "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite." The review adds that for those working remotely, "Cell coverage was good for us to work (att & Verizon)."
Accessibility considerations: Road conditions affect RV access throughout the region. At Treetopia Campground, Janly P. recommends "the deck sites to people small to moderate sized RVs and for large rigs they have some big sites," noting that renovations have made this campground particularly suitable for various RV sizes.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer hookups. At Treetopia Campground, Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure reports "If you have an RV, they have 30/50 amp with electric and water. There is no sewer, but they have a dump-station and on-site Honeywagon truck that you can schedule."
