Campgrounds near Denver, New York offer varied accommodations throughout the Catskills region. Several parks operate seasonally with most closing between mid-October and early November. Temperatures typically range from 45-75°F during camping season, with mountainous terrain creating microclimates that can change quickly. Heavy rainfall sometimes affects gravel campground roads, requiring careful driving for larger vehicles.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: At Alder Lake, visitors can enjoy the easy loop trail circling the water. One camper noted, "The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk. The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely."
Fishing opportunities: Soaring Eagle Campground provides direct Delaware River access with large campsites perfect for anglers. A visitor mentioned it's "great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing. pretty quiet but we went there in June before school was out so there wasn't many kids."
Water recreation: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground features a swimming beach and boat rentals. A camper shared, "We happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great! We had a great time and definitely seemed family friendly."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear skies and minimal light pollution make for excellent stargazing. A Lake Taghkanic visitor commented, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the well-spaced sites at Country Roads Campground. One visitor shared, "Beautiful campground. Stayed in The Pines section. Spacious sites. Super friendly and helpful staff."
Clean facilities: Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and showers. A reviewer noted, "The bathrooms were very clean and new and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!! The ladies that run this campground are absolute queens and were so nice and helpful."
Wooded surroundings: Many campgrounds offer shaded sites with mature trees. A Kenneth Wilson visitor mentioned, "Large and heavily wooded! Enjoyed our stay even on a busy weekend. They have a lake on site with swimming."
Family activities: Interlake RV Park offers organized events throughout the season. One visitor noted, "It was Christmas in July while I was there, with decorations and planned activities to accompany it."
What you should know
Site accessibility: Some campground roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. At Alder Lake, a camper advised, "Was not the easiest for my RV van to get up the hill with the ruts, but I have a small lift so it helps, lower clearance vans might not make it."
Seasonal crowds: Popular parks get very busy during peak times. An Alder Lake visitor warned, "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 cell service: Connectivity is unreliable throughout the region. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, campers reported "no cell service" but still enjoyed their experience, with one adding that despite this limitation the "site was nice."
Bear activity: Wildlife is active in the Catskills. A Kenneth Wilson camper recounted, "It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers swimming areas suitable for children. A visitor shared, "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campgound. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten."
Stream exploration: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley features a creek that children enjoy. A camper mentioned, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Amenities for rainy days: Several rv parks near Denver, New York provide indoor facilities. At Rondout Valley, a visitor noted, "As part of the Thousand Trails group, this campground has many amenities. It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes."
Reserve early: Family-friendly sites book quickly during summer. One Interlake visitor advised, "If you've got kids and want full hook-ups, want a snack bar so you don't always have to cook, I doubt you could beat the offerings here."
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Camp Catskills RV Park provides full utility connections at individual sites rather than just dump stations. This makes extended stays more convenient for campers requiring regular sewer access.
Off-season camping: The camping season around Denver, New York RV parks typically runs April through October. A Rondout Valley camper noted, "This was my first stay at any TT campground and I wasn't sure what to expect with this campground as the reviews are so mixed...The grounds are well-kept and the bathrooms are clean."
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Riverside RV Campground, a visitor observed, "This place is right on the river and the freeway! So it's kind of loud the people are super friendly and had fresh vegetables and home baked goods available."
Local provisions: Several campgrounds offer on-site or nearby supplies. At Country Roads, a reviewer mentioned "They have special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo."
