Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Downsville? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Downsville, New York's most popular destinations.
Bear Spring Mountain is located in the western end of the Catskill Forest Preserve. The campgrounds beach, boat rental, and multi-use trail system offers fun for all ages. For the horse riding enthusiast, Spruce Grove camping and trail system is one of a kind facility in the Catskill region. This region is also known for its excellent hunting and fishing.
The facility is broken into two distinct areas, the Launt Pond Area (the main campground) and the Spruce Grove Area which is 3.5 miles from the campground office. The Spruce Grove Area is equipped with pit toilets. The hot showers, rest rooms and garbage disposal area are all located in the Launt Pond Area. Spruce Grove campers have access to all amenities, however they will be a drive from their camping area. Amenities
41 tent and trailer sites; picnic area with tables, grills, playground, horseshoe pits, volleyball and pavilion rental; rowboat, canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals; firewood sales; trailer dump station; recycling center; flush toilets and hot showers at Launt Pond Area; boat launch; sand beach; 24 horse tie stalls and horse accessible ramp; 24 miles of multi-use trails. Please note: There are no horse rentals available at this campground. Proof of current negative Coggins Certificate is required for all horses entering the campground. Out-of state horse owners will be required to produce a 30-day health certificate Patrons must carry each horse's health papers with them at all times.
$18 / night
There are five lean-tos as well as five primitive campsites marked with round, yellow, DEC markers. In addition, primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from the regional office.
Camping is prohibited above 3,500 feet in elevation from March 22 until December 20 each year to protect the fragile summit environment. Campfires are permitted below 3,500 feet in elevation, but only dead and down fuel may be used. In an established campsite, use the existing fire ring. Before you leave, completely extinguish the fire. Never leave a fire unattended. The use of camp stoves is encouraged.
Peekamoose Valley: The Peekamoose Valley (County Route 42 in the Town of Denning) is a popular rustic camping area. Camping permits are now required to reserve primitive tent sites from May 15- September 15 of each year. Camping is restricted to reserved, designated campsites marked with the yellow camping symbol. Visit Reserve America (leaves DEC website) to make a reservation.
Lower Field: Camping is restricted to 12 designated sites. Permits can be obtained from Reserve America.
We are a quiet, family-friendly, and peaceful RV park surrounded by nature’s beauty while offering easy on and off access from I-88 in New York’s Broome County. Both the access roads from the highway and our spacious RV campsites are ideally suited for big rigs! Our choice of shaded and sunny sites includes pull-thru sites that are over 60 feet in length, all with easy connections to full hookup utilities.
$53 - $65 / night
Camp on the Esopus Creek in the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley surrounded by seven 3500' Catskill High Peaks including Slide Mountain, the tallest in the Catskills.
Our PRIVATE camp (no other campers) is situated on 100 acres of land in the middle of the Catskill State Park. We are the closest private Dyrt site to Slide Mountain, the Catskills tallest peak at 4180 feet. A perfect base camp for some of the best hiking in the Catskills, the site is bordered by Forever Wild Forest and is minutes from the trailheads to Balsam, Giant Ledge, Panther, Big Indian, Slide Mountain and dozens more peaks within 30 minutes or so away.
You can walk to a swimming hole on a winding path through a wildflower meadow blazed with rock cairns along a half mile of private waterfront. Try your luck at catching some wild Brook Trout on the world famous Esopus Creek!
Our drive up camp has a 4-6 person prospector type tent, a 10X12 covered tent platform, several individual tent sites with private fire rings, as well as a bunkhouse and a leanto for day use. The camp table and cook pit are covered from the elements. The main tent includes a wood burning stove, folding card table and seating for 4 and bunk bed with 4" thick self-inflating Therm-a-rest MondoKing 3D XXL Queen sized insulated mats for luxurious comfort.
Open Network WiFi (no UN/PW needed) is available at the Campkeeper home a short woods walk away. Seasoned bundled 16" firewood is available by honor box cash payment on Brown rd across the camp entry road.
Rules:
'Almost' anything goes. Learn about 'pack-in pack-out/leave no trace camping' and the 'leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures' motto. Due to local laws, no music or noise louder than 60 decibels is allowed which is about as loud as conversation with 20 people in a restaurant, an office of 20 people speaking or being on the phone, background music typically heard in restaurants and public spaces, an air conditioning unit at 100 feet. Our site is to be best enjoyed for the sounds that do exist naturally, the many birds singing their song, the babbling Esopus Creek, the rustling leaves on the trees. Ask questions, I will always answer anything about camping and am thrilled to share my knowledge.
Extras:
-Arrive to a dry campfire stack mini bonfire for your evening's entertainment. Full of dry kindle and fire starter, just light it and enjoy! The stack will be made of about 20 pieces built up teepee style and will be covered from the elements. If you will be camping for more than one night, please specify how many or which night(s) you would like the fire setup for . Dry campfire stack is $25.00
-I have several tents available including a large 5 person Eureka! Copper Canyon tent for $15.00, and 4 two person backpacking tents (Eureka! Timberline, Eureka! Prism, 2 Gazelle tents, and Moss Starlet tent) for $10.00 each.
-I have 4 comfortable 2" thick Therm-a-rest Camprest foam and air mattresses for $8.00 each.
Inquire about the extras when you book the site. Extras can be paid for in cash after you arrive.
$130 / night
The campground is dedicated to the memory of Sam Pryor, an extraordinary conservationist whose life's work included bringing this project to fruition. More information about the campground can be found at https://americanalpineclub.org/gunks-campground
The American Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve are cooperatively managing the campground. Campground amenities include a pavilion and cooking area, bathhouse and restroom facilities, and circulation trails. There are 24 drive-in spots (one vehicle per site) and 26 walk-in spots. All sites accommodate up to two tents (and four people) per pad. Showers are $1 for 4 minutes and are coin-operated. No RVs, no trailers, and no vehicles over 22'.
Members receive a discount on their stay, you can register for membership through the American Alpine Club at www.americanalpineclub.org/join or through the Mohonk Preserve.
Campers may access Mohonk Preserve, New York State's largest nonprofit nature preserve, via a connector trail to the Preserve's Visitor Center and historic carriage road network for world-class rock climbing and bouldering, hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and nature exploration. Memberships and day-use passes are available at the Visitor Center and all Preserve trailheads.
Guide
Love this place will definitely be back, not sure why it didn’t show up for free camping when I had it filtered, found it on another app. 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. It’s a single camper site at the top of the hill left before the trailhead parking.
Ranger
The weather was terrible while I was there, so perhaps this review may be biased. The Campground was very quiet in mid October. Many of the sites seem to be seasonal as there was no traffic to or from them. But there was quite a bit of daily traffic, usually arriving late and leaving early. Perhaps because the weather was turning very chilly and although the leaf peeping was at its peak for this season, I think people were heading south fast like me.
Scout
Stay in one of the last weekends of August. We were a party of 8 so we needed 2 sites, the first sites we booked were horrible - so so tiny (E11 & E12) and right on a swampy pond where the grass is growing into the water so it was hard to see where the water line was. We had kids, so we needed to move our sites. We ended up right across the way on E7 & E8 - much better. This loop for tent campers is mixed. Some of the sites are literally on the road - stay away from the sites on the same side of the road as the pond. I saw a family who literally had to block the road a little bc they couldn't park their car *and* have a tent on the tiny site. Anything on the side of E7 is bigger and a little deeper into the trees, but nothing seemed to be private in this campground. It was a busy weekend, so of course there was loud music and partying - it just so happens that it was next door to our sites. Bathrooms were far on this loop. There are little foot bridges that you could take to get to the bathroom easier (and closer) but they are set on people's campsites, so if someone is on that site it's really walking through their site to get to it. The campground has good amenities - wifi, pool, jumping ball, playground, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and a tether ball court :). Great for the kids. Pool is small but it works. There's a cafe there so we were able to grab coffees and stuff. They deliver wood and ice to your site which is super convenient. We would return for sure. Also - just to let everyone know the fire pit is really small.
ScoutClean, modern bathrooms. Campsites were raked and ready for us when we arrived. Super friendly staff! Just a well laid out campground that was perfect for us. Peaceful, a mix of wooded sites for RV's and open sites with their cabins. 2 swimming pools, really nice playground for the younger kids, 2 baseball fields. Just a top notch place.
Guide
Park on side of road, campfire located down slope. Very little traffic. Felt safe.
Ranger
Camped here for a one night stay. Campground was easy to locate and the road was in good shape.
We stayed in the space across from the port-a-pottie. The other camping spaces we close enough to see their campfire at night but far enough away that it's still quiet.
Campsites are level and long enough for a very small trailer. The trees are so thick we could not feed our solar panel.
Site has no water, no garbage service and no phone signal.
GuideA great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table
RangerWe came into the camping area on a Sunday and found site 7 available. While this is next to the road, it is also within 40 yards of the only potta potty in the park.
About 100 yards away was the public fishing dock and another camp site. There were two young men fishing there at about 7 PM.
There is no water or garbage services at this site. Most camping spots are ideal for tents or very small campers or trailers.
The camp sites I saw all seemed to be large and level spots all located beneath the tree canopy. Sites seemed disbursed enough to provide a modest level of privacy.
Would rate 5 stars if it had water and a garbage dumpster.
Guide
Really enjoyed our 2nd stay at Mongaup and will return. Good, private sites and a great pond. Facilities were clean and staff was very helpful and friendly.
GuideI was initially worried about the other people camping here because I was almost immediately visited by them but the poor kids just needed to charge their phone so I obliged. Aside from that this was a short drive in and I was able to score a spot right on the pond next to a dock. People have driven in to fish and kayak so I don’t feel isolated and afraid, and I am just a few steps away from sitting on the dock and admiring the scenery.
There is a port-a-potty near the entrance but otherwise a “leave no trace” situation which is fine considering the ample forest coverage in case there is someone who drives in.
Each spot seems to have plenty of shade and access to downed firewood, and it looks like there are fire pits at each site. Lots of good tinder left over from previous guests which has been helpful.
Beautiful views, quiet, no insect issues so far, and if I had a rod and reel I wouldn’t need to worry for food at all. T-Mobile service has been exceptional as well. I am planning on staying here for a week or more and I see no reason to find another location as there is no fee or permit needed and you can stay up to 14 days I believe.
Traveler
Nice and clean, right on the water. Spread out just enough to feel like we had good privacy
Traveler
Blackbear is such a fun spot. Always a good time, clean, and the perfect weekend away. This spot is only 40 minutes from my regular 9-5 and it feels like it’s in another world. When you wake up, look up at the black bears in the trees and enjoy the water!!
Traveler
Keen lake is the most cleanest friendliest family environment campsite you will ever find. Beautiful lake great fishing. Activities all day long for the children. Great general store that has everything in it that is open from sun up to sundown. The nachos and ice cream are the best. Super friendly staff. It's big they have tent sites right along the lake the lake is huge there's so much I could say but I would run out of room. I started coming here when I was four and I am now 46 years old and it is just the best place ever. It will always have a special place in our heart. Look forward every year to coming here no matter what age my kids are they all have a blast. From tent sites to RVs to cottages to glamping you name it they have it highly recommend it. Recently went camping to somewhere a little bit closer to home and it's nothing compared to here. It's like comparing Macy's to Walmart. You will never regret coming here. So pack your family up and have a great time.
Scout
We ended up having to spend the night at a different campsite that were familiar with this place. This place is a scam.
ScoutVery clean park. Lots of families. Tubing was fun. Bring bug spray.
Scout
Friendly staff, beautifully kept.
TravelerShady sites in a quiet cg . Nice lake for fishing . Reasonably priced breakfast on weekends . Great staff . Good utilities and clean bathrooms .
Legend
This park is technically a “state park” because the land for it was donated to the state for public use. However, once the state became the official stewards, there werent funds in the state budget to maintain it as a park. A lical group, the Friends of Salt Springs, stepped up and offered to maintain the park with funds raised by their group. The result is a small but unique property open to the public for day use (picnicking and hiking and fishing) along with 2 small rustic campgrounds. One campground has a large open mowed grassy meadow with level sites for car camping or small campers, no hookups are available but each site has a fire ring and picnic table. On the other side of the parks trout stream are seven secluded primitive hike-in tent sites along with three basic camper cabins. The Friends of Salt Springs makes a good effort to maintain these two rustic campgrounds, however it seems there isnt a ranger on site at night so a camper said the meadow campground can get a little noisy some nights. The hike in sites are relatively quiet and secluded though, and are positioned nicely along the stream, one site actually adjacent to a good swimming hole.
The camper cabins are basic with bunks, bring all your own gear. They are fairly new and have electricity but no water or heat.
On the grounds in the day use area are picnic spits, a pavilion, and an activity barn. When I was there, the barn was featuring a local quilt show.
The special aspect of this park are the hiking trails through old growth hemlock forest, said to be the largest hemlocks in Pennsylvania. The trout stream also cascades through some some waterfalls, and there are gorges with unique geology.
There is a village nearby with limited supplies, you may want to stock up on groceries before heading out to this somewhat remote park. There is, however, a local brewery, plus an odd coffee shop featuring both donuts and ammo, an unusual combination…..
Scout
Nice area. Lots of room. Laundry room ok with 2 washers and 2 dryers. Lots of open fields.
LegendSome of the other state forests in the area are really nice, so I had high hopes for Long Pond but was disappointed. Long Pond is located in a state forest west of Smithfield Flats and Greene NY, and many locals come to Long Pond for fishing. The pond is quite large compared to other area pinds, and three are three accesses for fishing: a regular boat launch with parking lot and dock, a carry-in kayak access near campsite 6, and a handicapped accessible fishing puer near campsite 1. All seem to be very popular, and the lake is very scrnic and very productive for fisherman. The camping situation is a little strange though. Campsite 1 is adjacent to the handicapped fishing pier, and is supposedly an accessible campsite. Though an all terrain wheelchair could navigate from car to campsite, a regular one could not due to gravel. In addition, there is no outhouse by the site, only one quite a ways down the lake. Also, the parking area at this campsite seems to be a major party spot as beer cans were thrown all over and even in the water. It was sad to see this. The other campsites nearby are not located in a distinct campground, but are strung out along the shoreline clise to the highways, each with its own driveway right off the highway, which creates a lake of privacy as passersby can quite easily pop right in off the highway. This doesnt seem real secure, and some if the campsites closest to the road had evidence of driveby garbage dumpers who popped in and dumped household garbage right in a couple of the campsites. In addition, the relatively new outhouse installed near the middle of the camping area has been vandalized and damaged already. Its a shame to see this, as otherwise the campsites are large and shaded and well spaced from each other and close to the pond. But I wouldnt want to camp here given the garbage and security and vandalism issues. Also, other than fishing there isnt much too do as there arent designated hiking trails here, though you could drive a few miles away to access some truck trails that are in another part of the state forest. Get a map of the forest from the website ahead of time though, as the info kiosk has been damaged and all info and signs and maps are missing!
Guide
Nice quiet campgrounds close to the Beaver kill and great service staff was supper friendly and helpful
Legend
This is a small county park and campground located east of Greene NY. It gets a lot if day use for fishing, hiking and picnicking. There is also a wooded campground, mostly RV’s and some tents. The sites are a bit crowded in, though the trees provide shade. For folks planning a group campout or family reunion, this would be a good option. For a solo camper who wants a bit if solitude, there is a better and super-nice option—the hike-in lean-to! Its a short hike in, and it is lively, well built shelter and nice fire pit. The small lake that is central to the park has nicely mowed shoreline paths around it, and the hiking trails in the woods are not brushy, but you still should be on the lookout for ticks. Price is reasonable compared to other area campgrounds, and you could access several other state forests and parks in the area for hiking etc note: though you can fish and paddle here, there is no swimming allowed!
Guide
Great all-around campground. Level sites with plenty of trees. Clean bath houses. Tons of biking and hike trails. A “beach” swim area that is like a resort. A golf course. A great option for families.
A really beautiful area to visit. A very cool brewery is just 4 miles away.
Legend
Both the Glimmerglass State Park and the Glimmerglass Festival Opera House list their location as Cooperstown, but in actuality the Park is 8 miles outside of Cooperstown on the northeast side of Otsego Lake, with the Opera House nearby on the northwest corner of the lake nearby. If you are going to visit one, you should also visit the other! In fact the park is an ideal spot to stay if you are wanting to take in any of the Glimmerglass music or theater productions which have quite a professional lineup in the summer season. If staying at the park you will also enjoy the amazing beach and waterfront on Otsego Lake, and great kayaking on the lake as well as the stream flowing into it. You can also hike, ot take a day trip into Cooperstown, especially for museums and all things baseball.
The camping opportunities give you three options: the main campground by the park office, which is wooded and shady and has electric hookups as needed, and is close to the beach, but you will have a lot of neighbors. If you want a quiet tenting experience, choose the Beaver Pond primitive tenting campground! This offers a small number of large, well spaced and private tent only sites set back in the woods by a beautiful pond and by the Beaver Hiking trail. Very peaceful with more solitude than the main campground, but a longer walk to the beach. The third and newest option, the Travis Field campsites, reminds me of an overflow parking area at an outdoor festival, unfortunately just a bunch of basic tent campsites plunked in an open grassy field located in between the beach and the Beaver Pond sites. I am guessing the park has greater demand for campsites than the original campground offers, so they put these spots up in an open field, and maybe folks would rather have these sites than nothing if they want a week at the lake, but they would not be a first choice unless perhaps you have a group that wants to gather together and take a block of these sites. I didnt check out the cabins, but there are some, which might be especially good if you want to come in the winter as the park is open year round
Legend
This is a small hidden gem of a state park where the only camping available is in camper cabins—and pretty amazing glamping for camper cabins! Although there may be times when there may be people and groups around for day use, the small number of cabins and they way they are spread out will make you feel like you are at your own private retreat. The cabins are beautifully built with lovely settings, and well appointed though you need to bring your own linens. There are a couple of ponds for fishing, but if you want to swim you need to go over to nearby Otsego Lake. The trails wind through mature forest, and you can cross country ski here in winter—in fact, reserve one of the winterized cabins and come for a long weekend of cozy cabin time and quiet time outdoors on the winter trails. There is a beautiful picnic pavilion and playground, so kid friendly. Unfortunately, pets can come for day use but cant stay in the cabins. Reservations must be made in advance for the cabins, and you can be sure they will be filled on special event weekends in nearby Cooperstown, especially for events at the Baseball Hall of Fame or the Farmers Living History Museum. . The park is far enough on the outskirts of town to be away from crowds and noise, but close enough to run to town for activities, get supplies or check out unique cafes and bakeries
ScoutA very suitable place to camp and entertain with everyone. geometry dash online
Traveler
We chose Korn's because it was close to home on our first trip in years.
It was a great time from check in to check out.
We had a nice tent site ( 92 ) along the river. I called myself captain planet because I fished a coffee cup from the river.
Will definitely be staying again
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Downsville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Downsville, NY is Bear Spring Mountain - DEC with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 40 tent camping locations near Downsville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
