185 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Catskill Mountains surrounding Denver, New York provide a variety of camping experiences from developed campgrounds to primitive sites. Woodland Valley Campground and Little Pond Campground offer established facilities for both tent and RV camping, while free primitive camping can be found at Alder Lake and Allaben Campground. The region includes several DEC-managed campgrounds with varying levels of amenities, from sites with electric hookups and showers to more basic facilities with just picnic tables and fire rings.
Most campgrounds in the Catskills operate seasonally, typically from mid-May through early October. Roads to camping areas range from paved highways to rough forest roads that may require higher clearance vehicles. "We arrived here early afternoon, which ended up being perfect timing as we could set up everything and catch sunset by the fire. The place is pretty easy to access with paved road the whole way there except for the last 1/2 mile where it is very bumpy," noted one visitor to Alder Lake. Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent in many camping areas, with some campgrounds like Little Pond completely disconnected. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage at all campsites.
Several campgrounds provide waterfront access, with Alder Lake and North-South Lake offering popular water-adjacent camping. Giant Ledge Primitive Camp attracts hikers seeking more remote experiences with spectacular mountain views. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "There are two campsites located right outside of the park where you can park your car next to your tent but we opted to hike in. The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers." Weekends during summer months see higher visitation rates, especially at established campgrounds with amenities. The mix of developed campgrounds and primitive sites provides options for various camping styles, though some visitors report facilities at developed campgrounds can be inconsistently maintained. Campers seeking solitude may prefer weekday visits or the more remote backcountry sites that require hiking in.
"water to play in right behind tent. I do prefer fire pits over the brick stove. this had the stove. more advanced hiking in walking distance. no cell service. my gps on phone was able to track though."
"Close to Woodstock, NY, many trails and other attractions. You need to plan for it, there's a lot to explore; some trails are challenging. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Pros: Near wonderful, little-used hiking trails - challenging ones, too!
- Close to Catskill town options to explore, e.g."
"You can see a picture here of the water just a 10 foot trail away from our campsite. All in all a great trip."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"There are two campsites located right outside of the park where you can park your car next to your tent but we opted to hike in."
"There are several beautiful, secluded hike-in sites along the lake which I would love to return to someday. The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk."
"This campground is nestled in the Catskills, New York, with easy access to New Jersey and Connecticut."
"Access to fresh water spouts and clean bathrooms were just a walk away from most sites, theres a beautiful pond on site and beautiful views of the Catskills, Woodstock is a 15 min drive if you’re looking"
from $22 / night
Check Availability"Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"You will see a yellow little circle sign on a tree with a tent on it, a short distance down that side trail there is the site. It has rock benches and a fire pit. Primitive."
"However the descriptions of this place in reviews here and elsewhere provided very little info and once I got out to the trail realized how different it was to what I expected."
"Our site was on top of the creek, close to the path down to the water and close to a hiking trail. During our visit we drove around the nearby towns and didn't find much to see or do with our time."
"We had reservations about being side by side with other RVs but the site we were in was so big and being in a valley with huge trees all around a large open grassy area in the middle made everything feel"
"this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"
"It was close to trails and town"
from $16 / night
Check Availability"A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table"
"Short walk to all campsites."
"Right outside downtown Phoenicia the black bear campground is perfectly situated for a multitude of activities. They offer creek front and wooded campsites."
"2 minutes walk to town"
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability
GuideStayed at lot #71, loop B! It’s across from the bathrooms, behind there’s a trail that takes you to the lake (about a 5 min walk). No electric, water, or dump station. Firewood is near the entrance, they give you a burlap sack to fill up with!
TravelerWe were looking for a campsite on our way up north and we’re so happy to find this one. While it is a commercial site. It is located in the woods. It has full hook up and portable water at the site. We couldn’t be happier with a warm welcome we received late at night and the cleanliness of the bathrooms and each site. I would highly recommend this campsite.
TravelerThis was the sweetest campground around!! They deliver fire wood right to your site along with anything else you need. Free delivery of amazing pizza on Friday nights(delivered by a 1969 pink beetle!!). There is a giant river, a dog park and the camp ground is close to town, but far enough away so that you still feel like your camping! Amazing bathroom/shower facilities and a clean swimming pool:)
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
TravelerPeople are super friendly and helpful. Campground is well maintained and very secure. RV site was very large and mostly level. Good location. Close to Hudson River and Albany.
GuideStayed for 2 nights in June and it was delightful. Facilities were very clean, had flush toilets and showers, and the trails around the pond were great for my dog. Sites were well maintained, but a little close together for my preference. We stayed at site 146. Would definitely come back and hope to get a site along the pond next time!
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
ScoutGilbert Lake State Park is located about 11 miles north of Oneonta, New York. I have camped here for a number of summers at their Hilltop Section, never dissapointed. There are a few trails that traverse the park for a few miles that are always green and shady. The lake offers swimming and kayaking. There is a concession stand and even a small museum that chronicles the efforts of the national CCC program under Roosevelt that constructed the park in the 1930's. After a long day of hiking, the campgrounds hot showers offer a great reprieve.
ScoutNow that All Star Baseball purchased this Oneonta campground this year, don't expect to stay here if you are not a baseball family. I went there in person yesterday for two nights at their"primitive" tent sites. After Hanna checked her computer, my dates were all cleared...great, then let me pay the $70... but no... she had to check with management first. I thought that was strange since that never happened to me before when getting any campsites elsewhere. I was told I'd be called later that day but nobody called me. I went back the next day only to be told all sites for the summer were rented out. Clearly that was not true based on her computer check the day before. BOTTOMLINE: if you are not a baseball family spending $1000's here, don't expect to even get the time of day. Therefore, they do not deserve anyone's business.
Camping options near Denver, New York range from primitive backcountry sites to family-friendly established campgrounds. The Catskill region sits at elevations between 1,000-4,200 feet, creating varied microclimates throughout the camping season. Spring camping often requires extra layers as overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F even in May.
Hiking to fire towers: Kenneth L Wilson Campground provides convenient access to multiple hiking trails. "The long, narrow, and winding road from Route 28 to Woodland Valley campground should not keep you from camping there! Most important is the fact that you can quickly get to many great hikes in the Catskills including Hunter, Slide, Plateau Rock, and many others," notes Gary G.
Kayaking on small lakes: Little Pond Campground offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring the pond. "Got a kayak for the day and it was a great rate. Saw beavers and eagles," reports Lauren S. The small pond provides calm waters suitable for beginners and families.
Creek exploration: Sites along waterways offer natural entertainment. At Woodland Valley Campground, "If you like to camp by water, this is the perfect place for you. It has amazing on the water sites you can camp at, plus a stunning view of the Catskills. The hikes are just easy enough for anyone in the family," according to Meike W.
Proximity to multiple attractions: Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground serves as a strategic base camp. "The rangers were very friendly and helpful, and the facilities were in good shape (free hot showers!). Most important is the fact that you can quickly get to many great hikes in the Catskills including Hunter, Slide, Plateau Rock, and many others," says Gary G.
Natural soundscapes: Creeks provide natural white noise for sleeping. At Woodland Valley Campground, one visitor noted "the mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing; weather was great and we could see the stars through the canopy - very very enjoyable!"
Spacious walk-in sites: Alder Lake offers secluded lakeside camping for those willing to walk a short distance. "We opted to hike in. The first spot is less than 1/2 mile down the path, with the next three in the next mile. The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers," notes Nora S.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to campgrounds can challenge some vehicles. For Alder Lake, "The place is pretty easy to access with paved road the whole way there except for the last 1/2 mile where it is very bumpy. Some might say 4*4 but we made it just fine in our little Camry."
Facilities maintenance varies by season: Early and late season visitors may find reduced services. At Devil's Tombstone Campground, "The bathrooms are a glorified hole in the ground with a toilet seat, but if you need it, it's there. No sinks. But there is a water source in between every other site for when you need it," reports Yasmin S.
Site selection impacts privacy: Choose carefully based on maps and reviews. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, "Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy, but some of the other sites were literally next to the road."
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds include play areas. At Devil's Tombstone, "There is a playground for kids so you don't have to watch over them while you set up," notes one reviewer.
Beach access considerations: North-South Lake Campground provides swimming opportunities during summer months. "There is a pond and there's kayaks, canoes, etc. for rent. The beach area is clean and the water is clear," reports a visitor.
Consider site location relative to facilities: For families with young children, bathroom proximity matters. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, one camper chose "site 9...set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site! It is also right across the road from a water pump and from the path to the bathrooms so it is a prime location."
Limited hookup options: Many Catskill campgrounds lack full hookups. At Little Pond Campground, "This campground has no hookups for RVs, the only facilities they do offer are bathrooms and showers."
Maneuvering challenges: Phoenicia Black Bear Campground offers sites near town but with size limitations. The campground has "creek front and wooded campsites. Each comes with a fire ring and picnic tables," notes Derek W., though larger rigs may have difficulty navigating the smaller sites.
Slope considerations: When selecting RV sites, be aware of terrain. Little Pond Campground has "small sites and many have slanted entrances," which can make leveling challenging for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Denver, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Denver, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 185 campgrounds and RV parks near Denver, NY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Denver, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Denver, NY is Woodland Valley Campground — DEC with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Denver, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Denver, NY.
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