Glamping options in Denver, New York, offer visitors access to the Catskills region where elevation ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature variations between day and night. Most glamping sites operate seasonally from May through October, with wood-burning stoves available in some accommodations for cooler evenings. Weather in the region can change rapidly, especially in spring and fall.
What to do
Hiking Vromans Nose: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground provides convenient access to this popular trail. "Vromans nose" is mentioned by camper Brian H., who notes the park has "no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby."
Fishing opportunities: Crazy Acres Campground offers lake fishing on-site. According to Wilson W., it's a "very nice place with super owners" where visitors can enjoy "30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water."
Swimming and water recreation: Jellystone Park Gardiner features a pool complex suitable for all ages. A reviewer named Stephanie H. observed, "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."
State park exploration: Several glamping accommodations offer easy access to Minekill State Park. One visitor to Nickerson Park Campground commented, "There are also a lot of places in the area to visit. Minekill state park is only a 5 minute drive."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Alder Lake provides walk-in campsites with privacy. As Erik C. describes: "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."
Fireside amenities: Many glamping options include well-maintained fire pits. Nora S. from Alder Lake mentioned, "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables."
Clean facilities: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Great campsite, cleanest facilities ever! Good adjustable campfire cooking rack," reports professorthedog P.
Modern bathhouses: Recent renovations have improved comfort at several locations. According to Tom S., Max V. Shaul offers a "bath house is clean and modern" with a reasonable rate of "$27.50/night for non-resident."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some glamping accommodations offer more privacy than others. Ryan S. noted about Max V. Shaul: "A nice site. Very clean facilities and incredibly nice staff. Just ok distance between camp sites."
Water quality concerns: At Nickerson Park Campground, recent reports mention issues. Peter S. warned, "THE WATER! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! I'm guessing the new owners didn't do as much as the previous owners as far as water treatments. It smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored."
Seasonal crowds: Some sites experience significant visitor fluctuations. Colleen J. described Alder Lake during peak season: "We arrived around 11:00 am and the parking lot was already packed and cars were lined up along the road. We grabbed one of the three spots that were left."
Limited bathroom facilities: At larger campgrounds, facilities may be stretched thin. Elizabeth M. observed at Jellystone Park Gardiner, "Very few for the number of sites and people it covers. They need to add more bathrooms."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family programming. Jenna S. confirms: "This is a very nice campground for families. Has a lot of activities and facilities for campers."
Playground access: Several sites feature dedicated play areas. William R. mentions that Country Roads Campground has "special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo."
Swimming options: Pools provide safer alternatives to natural water bodies. At Crazy Acres Campground, Robert M. appreciated "plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well."
Animal encounters: Some locations feature small farms or animal interactions. Nickerson Park Campground offers various outdoor experiences for children within a structured environment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Country Roads Campground, experienced campers recommend specific areas. Tom R. notes: "Beautiful campground. Stayed in The Pines section. Spacious sites. Super friendly and helpful staff."
Arrival assistance: Staff support during setup can be valuable. Philip M. appreciated that at Country Roads Campground, "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel."
Accessibility considerations: Site layout affects larger vehicles. Taylor H. observed at Nickerson Park Campground, "After seeing the site layout, it seems like accessibility could be an issue with high occupancy."
Hookup quality: Available utilities vary widely between locations. Some glamping accommodations offer limited electric service while full-hookup options exist at select campgrounds.
