Cabin camping options near Circleville, New York provide access to the Neversink River watershed and surrounding Catskill foothills. Most cabin accommodations can be found within a 20-mile radius, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet. The region sees four distinct seasons, with cabins typically available from April through late October.
What to do
River activities: Oakland Valley Campground offers direct access to the Neversink River for fishing and playing in the water. "We spent most of early spring at Oakland Valley right on the river. Even though covid really forced a shutdown on activities, this was one of my kids favorite places of the year. They loved to fish and play in the river, explore the woods and ride bikes around," reports one camper.
Swimming options: Lake swimming is available at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Circleville. Winding Hills Park features a large lake for kayaking and fishing, though swimming is not permitted. "The forest is beautiful around the park. Lake is pretty too. Site we stayed at was nice and level for a tent, plenty of trees for a hammock," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: Access to the Appalachian Trail and numerous other hiking paths exist within the region. High Point State Park, approximately 40 minutes from Circleville, connects directly to the historic trail. "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake," reports a camper.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Multiple campgrounds offer premium waterfront locations. At Korns Campgrounds, "Site 90 was real nice. Fairly secluded and surrounded by a stream. Electrical and water on every site was a bonus," according to one visitor. Another camper noted their location "was by the river and did not disappoint. It was a rocky location but we didn't mind."
Privacy levels: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. Winding Hills Park receives praise for its secluded environment. "We were there in late October, towards the end of the season, and there were only a few other campers there, and it was a weekend! So nice to have the whole place feel so quiet and desolate," states one camper. "Lots of trees everywhere, which is nice. Some sites are really nice, with a little driveway to go deeper into the woods and off of the main road."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. "Showers are free and hot and clean, water runs continuously (no button to push), and you can adjust the temperature," notes one visitor to Winding Hills Park. Another camper states, "The bathrooms are kept very clean as well."
What you should know
Varied terrain: Campsite conditions can differ significantly even within the same campground. At High Point State Park, "The sites are varied, some have tent platforms, it's just off the AT, but we have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level." Another camper warns about the steepness: "The gravel driveway is on a 30-40 degree incline. The tent was too long for the 12'x10' platform, so we had to set it up on the flattest part and hope not to roll down the hill in the night."
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities restrict camping to the warmer months. Winding Hills Park operates from May 20 to October 10, while other campgrounds in the region run from early May through mid-October. "We were there at the end of October, and staff told us Oct 22, 2023 was the last camping day of the season," reports one camper.
Advance planning: Holiday weekends typically require reservations. At Winding Hills Park, "Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season: Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Must book the entire holiday weekend 3 days ($90 for non-electric sites add $5 each day for electric)."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner focuses heavily on children's entertainment. "This campground is great for kids. It has an event just about every weekend with kid activity," notes one visitor. Another adds, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time there they have lasertag which they enjoy. And a bounce pillow."
Noise considerations: Family campgrounds can be louder, especially during peak times. "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there. We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
Site selection: Choose sites strategically based on bathroom proximity and play areas. "We found the sites closer to the Playground side/closer to the bathrooms to be more noisy. Also those sites are closer together which would be good for larger groups," advises one camper at Winding Hills Park.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookups: Neversink River Resort provides electric and water hookups but site selection matters. "We were there at the end of the season, which we loved bc we practically had this huge campground to ourselves. Our spot backed up to the river, which was great, but we had to try 2 different spots bc some of them are VERY un level," cautions one RV camper.
Campground layouts: Oakland Valley Campground features multiple levels that accommodate different camping styles. "Nice, family friendly campground with 3 levels to camp at. Top level has a pool, showers and bathrooms with laundry area and game room. Middle level has open field with bathrooms with sinks and running water. There is water and electric on the sites at the middle level."
Dump facilities: Some campgrounds offer dump stations but not full hookups. Winding Hills Park provides a "dump and potable water fill available here. Dump is kept locked, but there's a number to call and staff will come unlock for you. Water spigots available throughout campground."
Traveler
