RV Camping near Catskill, NY

The Catskill Mountains offer camping options ranging from 600 to 4,200 feet in elevation, creating diverse camping microclimates throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with cooler evenings at higher elevations. Many campgrounds close seasonally due to the harsh winter conditions, with the primary camping season running from May through October.

What to do

Mountain trails access: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers hiking trails connecting to the lake where "the lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards / kyacks etc. Worth every penny," according to Mellisa T.

Lake recreation: Swimming is popular at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, where one visitor noted, "This campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits."

Stargazing opportunities: The Catskill region offers excellent night sky viewing, particularly at Lake Taghkanic where Seth K. reported, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."

Historic site visits: Campgrounds like Interlake RV Park & Campground provide convenient access to historic landmarks. One camper mentioned it was "convenient for exploring the Hyde Park area, in particular the FDR National Historic Site (20-30 minutes away) and the Walkway over the Hudson."

What campers like

Platform tent sites: Several Catskill campgrounds feature raised wooden platforms that help during wet weather. As Rosie R. from Lake Taghkanic State Park noted, "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"

Clean facilities: Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park receives praise for maintenance standards with campers noting "New bath house with multiple shower rooms" and "Well managed family campground."

Winter camping alternatives: For camping outside the main season, look for cabins and cottages. Taylor P. reported from Lake Taghkanic: "Labor Day Weekend stay. A lot of people! Very nice beach but packed. Huge parties at the picnic area. If your okey with all that then it was a great time. Cottage was great besides all the bees."

Convenient location: Many campgrounds provide strategic access to town amenities. George L. appreciated that "Lake Taghkanic State Park was not a long drive from NYC, maybe 2 hours" and "Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler."

What you should know

Site preferences: At Lake Taghkanic, Kurt S. advises: "My advice would be to take the sites on the hill, nearest to the bathrooms, as all these sites seemed to be generally very well maintained."

Seasonal crowds: Holiday weekends bring larger crowds to popular swimming areas. A Lake Taghkanic visitor observed: "Labor Day Weekend stay. A lot of people! Very nice beach but packed. Huge parties at the picnic area."

RV site variations: Treetopia Campground offers specialty RV sites with add-on features. According to Janly P., "We stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air."

Reservation timing: Most campgrounds in the Catskills require reservations, especially during peak summer months. Availability for weekends is often limited several months in advance, particularly for holiday weekends.

Shower facilities: Quality and availability vary widely. Katherine P. mentioned at Rudd Pond: "They had signs asking people to wear masks in the bathroom building, but far fewer people were."

Tips for camping with families

Play amenities: Brook N Wood Family Campground offers family-friendly amenities. Chelsea T. shared that "They have a great heated pool that our little one loved. Lots of space to run around and a cute mini golf area."

Recreational programs: Some campgrounds organize family activities, particularly on weekends. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a visitor mentioned, "They have loads of events over the weekend."

Kid-friendly water options: Swimming beaches with designated kid areas provide safer options. Lisa S. noted that Rudd Pond has a "Kiddie pond, children's playground."

Rainy day options: Lake Taghkanic provides indoor alternatives for inclement weather. Kurt S. observed they have "Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling considerations: In the Catskills, many RV sites require leveling blocks due to terrain. One camper at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley noted, "Our site was even and easy to level on."

Concrete pad availability: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park offers premium sites with concrete pads. As one camper described, "Our site was back-in and had plenty of space. There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river."

Limited seasonal operations: Most rv parks near Catskill, New York close during winter months. Coffee&Camping T. described Arrowhead Marina & RV Park as "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas," noting the seasonal operation from May 15 to October 15.

Utility hookup positions: Check hookup locations before arrival as some rv campgrounds near Catskill have unusual layouts. An RVer at Rondout Valley mentioned, "The sewer connection ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low."

Waterfront options: Several Catskill RV parks offer waterfront sites. Tina from Arrowhead Marina & RV Park appreciated that their campground is "right on the river. We were next to a little fenced in area for dogs that our dog loved."