Cuddebackville sits in the valley of the Neversink River with an elevation of 520 feet, offering access to both river and mountainous terrain in southeastern New York. The area experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 80°F and cold winters that can dip below 20°F. Campgrounds around Cuddebackville range from primitive riverside spots to full-service facilities with electric hookups and water access.
What to do
River activities: The Delaware River provides opportunities for tubing, kayaking, and fishing throughout the camping season. At Kittatinny Campground, one visitor recommended "Get the tubing package as well" noting that "the river was beautiful, welcoming and refreshing in the warm sun."
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking trails surround the Cuddebackville area, connecting to larger trail systems including the Appalachian Trail. A camper at High Point State Park Campground mentioned "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."
Farm experiences: Some campgrounds feature animal encounters and agricultural activities. A visitor at Pleasant Acres Farm noted, "My daughter loved the horses and goats," while another camper mentioned "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool."
Organized activities: Family-oriented campgrounds schedule regular events for kids and adults. One reviewer commented on the bounce pillow and jump blob features popular with children at several locations, while others mentioned weekend programming like hayrides and game tournaments.
What campers like
Multi-level camping options: Campgrounds in the area often feature distinct camping zones with varying amenities. At Oakland Valley Campground, campers appreciate the layout: "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."
Waterfront sites: Riverside camping spots rank among the most requested accommodations. A camper at Slumberland at the River's Edge noted, "Not near any other campers and every site is right on the water," while another appreciated how "a nice beach made unloading and loading kayaks pretty easy."
Yurt camping: Cuddebackville offers several yurt camping options for those seeking structure without bringing a tent. Yurt camping near Cuddebackville provides canvas accommodations with solid floors and often includes beds and basic furniture. Jellystone Park Gardiner features yurts among its accommodation types, with one camper noting they "have a lot of activities but some were repetitive."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers cite the peaceful environment as a major draw. One visitor described their experience as "We spent most of early spring at Oakland Valley right on the river. Even though covid really forced a shutdown on activities, this one was of my kids favorite places of the year."
What you should know
Site conditions vary: Campsite quality differs significantly between and within campgrounds. A camper at Pleasant Acres Farm reported, "In general the camping spots are not well maintained, weedy, un-level and picnic tables are weathered and warped."
Bathroom facilities: Restroom quality is inconsistent across campgrounds. At Mountain Top RV Park, campers note recent upgrades: "The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April or May through mid-October, with a few offering year-round accommodations. A camper at High Point State Park mentioned visiting "Stayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours while others have a more relaxed approach. One camper at Kittatinny Campground reported, "Busy campground no quiet time loud music till 3 in the morning. Very clean, workers very friendly and helpful but after dark no one around."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: River access provides natural entertainment for children of all ages. A visitor at Kittatinny noted, "This place was so fun for the entire family, it wasn't that busy, so we didn't really have to worry all the time about the kids getting ran over!"
On-site amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreational facilities. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, a camper shared, "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."
Site selection: Request sites away from common areas if early bedtimes are important. One family mentioned, "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
Digital disconnection: Limited cell service can be an advantage for family bonding. A visitor to Slumberland described their experience: "The lack of phone service was a blessing in disguise, allowing us to disconnect from technology and truly immerse ourselves in nature."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between campgrounds. At High Point State Park, an RVer noted, "We have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump, website says laundry, but apparently not."
Site access: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger vehicles. A Mountain Top RV Park visitor advised, "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
Waste management: Garbage disposal methods differ between facilities. At Pleasant Acres Farm, an RVer commented, "The garbage situation was the worst. Most campsites have a service, they tell you to leave it at a specific location by a certain time or they have many garbage cans throughout. This place had their garbage and recycling very far away."
