Best Tent Camping near Durham, NY
Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Durham? Finding a place to camp in New York with your tent has never been easier. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Durham, NY (35)
1. Giant Ledge Primitive Camp
Big Indian, New York6 Reviews•24 Photos•283 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Firewood Available
- Alcohol
2. Getaway Catskill Campground - New York
Palenville, New York1 Review•13 Photos•32 SavesGetaway Campgrounds offers a modern, immersive outdoor experience for today’s camper. Each campsite is built for comfort, with clean and modern amenities designed to help you soak in your surroundings.
Our campsites are about 200 square feet with approximately 10’ by 10’ of space for a tent. Each campsite is surrounded by nature and offers a secluded, covered structure complete with a picnic table, hammock, fire pit, and Adirondack chairs.
You’ll also have a kitchenette fit for cooking with a propane burner (plus propane canister), and essentials including oil, salt + pepper, dishware, cutlery, and non-perishable provisions for purchase.
Plus, private bathroom suites (hot shower, toilet, and sink) are nearby.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
$79 - $119 / night
3. Alder lake
Margaretville, New York7 Reviews•25 Photos•305 SavesThere 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. The Peekamoose Valley
Claryville, New York6 Reviews•21 Photos•229 SavesPeekamoose 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Toilets
5. Upper Esopus Creekside Camp
Big Indian, New York1 Review•23 Photos•23 SavesCamp 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Glamping
$130 / night
6. Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground
Accord, New York8 Reviews•45 Photos•82 SavesThe 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
7. Cherry Plain State Park Campground
Cherry Plain, New York6 Reviews•11 Photos•59 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
8. Slide Mountain Wilderness Roadside Campsite
Big Indian, New York1 Review•8 Photos•73 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Toilets
- Alcohol
9. Bear Spring Mountain - DEC
Downsville, New York7 Reviews•22 Photos•33 SavesBear 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Trash
$18 / night
10. Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park — Betty & Wilbur Davis State Park
Cooperstown, New York1 Review•24 Photos•6 Saves- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Cabins
- Trash
- Picnic Table
Showing results 1-10 of 35 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews in Durham
528 Reviews of 35 Durham Campgrounds
Eric W.
Scout
Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park
No hookups
There are no hookups. Need to change the profile on the Dyrt.
Megan S.Scout
Schodack Island State Park Campground
Great camping spot
The staff was friendly. The sites are spaced out enough and have greenery in between so it feels a little more private than some places. Bathrooms and showers were very clean.
SJ W.
Guide
Alder lake
Beautiful single drive in site!
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.
- RRay P.Guide
Spacious Skies Woodland Hills
Tightly squeezed sites.
Although sites are squeezed in, it is a nice family campground. However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow.Tricky footing for older folks like my wife and I. Particularly since my wife uses a cane.
Carol S.Scout
Privacy Campground
Private but needs updates
I thought I read someplace that there is new ownership, at any rate the folks there were very nice. And the place lives up to its name. We’re not fond of RV parking lots and the sites were well spaced which gets it many extra points. We had a popup in a drive-through site at the bottom of the hill which was fine, though pretty muddy after a day of rain. With that hill there’s no place for larger RVs here unless they were to decide to use the field at the bottom. As far as infrastructure a lot of what is here is very old and dated, sometimes to the point of being comical, but it does appear some updates are happening. Bathroom building is decent and kept very clean (though it would be nice if any of the door latches on the women’s toilets worked.) It appears they have built or rebuilt some cabins. Hiking up and down the hill to the bathroom does get old and there is really no place to park there like most places have without blocking the road. Can squeeze in one car near the (ancient and yucky cold water) dishwashing station. There is a tiny campsite with cabin on the road below it, with a firepit and table like a foot away from the road. Maybe they should eliminate that site to make parking for a couple cars at least, as its a terrible campsite probably the only bad one there. (One night that site had 2 cars, with one blocking the road when we tried to drive past - they should have made the extra car stay down in the lot.) People moved their car a bit, but still had to drive very close to their bonfire. Like much of the area, there is essentially no cell coverage here. An area with wifi would be an excellent upgrade. I know, you’re camping, but sometimes you just need to do something, make a restaurant reservation, or check the weather.
Update- I just found and read an article about the change of ownership. Showed a picture of a recreation room. Where the heck was that? In the building labeled “the Barn?” Which I thought was an actual barn and off limits. The dyrt says there is wifi, maybe it was there? Would have been nice to know about.
- DDavid P.
Traveler
Interlake RV Park & Campground
Quiet and close to the Catskills
I stayed there for 3 weeks for work it was quite priced very reasonably for full hook up and about a half hour from stunning views.
- RRay P.Guide
St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina
Water and R.R. tracks
One night stay. Great sight. Friendly helpful staff. Only drawback is steady stream of trains going by around the clock. I didn’t mind by my wife didn’t sleep well.
Elizabeth D.Traveler
Dingman's Family Campground
One of the nicest campgrounds!
Absolutely loved this campground, sites are well spaced and the surrounding area is gorgeous! We had a tent site right on the river and couldn’t have been happier with our stay. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Facilities were exceptionally clean and the camp store was stunning!
Lisa F.TravelerInterlake RV Park & Campground
Quaint & Convenient
Stayed in cabin #1. Clean & had all the amenities but very dated & dark. Could use brighter light bulbs!! Beautiful & quiet. Enjoyed my stay.
Kevin C.
RangerSchodack Island State Park Campground
Top Quality State Park
Beautiful state park campground with all the amenities you expect, located on the Hudson River.
The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers.
Sites are all within 200 feet of the bathrooms. The bathrooms have good showers and were very clean during our stay. There is also a dishwasher sink and even bookshelves with books available to borrow.
Our favorite feature was the day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River. We saw many larger boats (maybe smaĺl yachts?) during the day. The view from the boat ramp area was amazing. However, stay away if you see boat going by. The boat ramp dock turns into a death trap when a big wake from a boat hits the river bank!
Eleanor the Airstream R.RangerSchodack Island State Park Campground
Beautiful, spacious state park
Wide spaces near the Hudson River are beautiful. Campgrounds are under renovation to clear some trees and improve facilities in what might be the best state park we’ve camped at. Lots of well marked trails with great views of the river (cannot be seen from campsites).
Electric only on site but lots of spots to fill fresh water in campgrounds. Bathrooms are big and very clean.
At&t one bar. Site was open enough that Starlink was great.
Eric L.Scout
Beaver Valley Campground
Clean, well laid out campground
Clean, 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.
- TTam E.Guide
Allaben Campground
Close to town, but private
Park on side of road, campfire located down slope. Very little traffic. Felt safe.
- LLee H.Scout
Hide-A-Way Campsites
Quite suprise
This is a small campground but very quiet and nice. The people that run it are very nice and accommodating. Would highly recommend it.
Cynthia K.
Legend
North-South Lake Campground
New York
We were on a 5 state East Coast camping trip. 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. Thursday & Friday it was Neverending rain & wind. Saturday was the nice day.
North South Lake has no electricity. The sites are almost all beautiful, tucked in under shady trees. Not a good way to try out our solar panel! Some are by a stream. A few are by the lake. This is a tent campers paradise. New York tent campers are hard core camping during Tropical Storm Debbie!
There are 7 loops. We were in loop 2. Site 85. There are some sites with an incline down to the site. That might give some rvs trouble. It did for us & I had to be driven out of the campground to call 911. Thank you Mary!! It all ended well & we got a different site.
There are bears that visit the campground & one came one of the nights & visited our camping neighbor's site. They showed us a picture- it was a large black bear.
Generators are allowed for 5 hours & they tell you when you can use them.
The bathrooms/showers are state park clean- which means not very.
There is NO cell service & just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged.
This is a hiking park & for this middle aged overweight flatlander they are pretty strenuous. Kaaterskill Falls is an exception - short, easy trail, but the parking fills up quickly. Then they close it! You'll have to take a shuttle to get in.
The trail to the Mountain House Site is also pretty easy, with more of an incline.
There's 2 nice lakes with beaches.
The Catskills are very scenic& we enjoyed our time there!
Drew H.GuideAllaben Campground
Nothing too special but got the job done
A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table
mitchell M.ScoutNorth-South Lake Campground
Gorgeous
Gorgeous. There was a brook not far from our campsite, and it was only a short stroll to the lake. It was really peaceful when we visited in the middle of the week. Most websites are secretive and dark can play penalty shooters 2.
kimberly S.ScoutCopake Falls Area — Taconic State Park
It is a beautiful spot
It is a beautiful spot to visit the Taconic region, however this campsite is not up to pace. There is a lot of noise, a lot of people, and not much enforcement of the rules of candy clicker.
- GGabe W.Scout
Lee's Park Campground
Event Campground
Despite only having 3 stars on dyrt, lees park is pretty cool to come to. Close to SPAC, lots of area to set up tents, dog friendly, campfire friendly, and there’s a lake minutes away. Some of the crowd seemed a little rowdy but overall nothing that was obnoxious. DONT GO IN THE WOODLINE you’ll get mobbed by mosquitoes.
Michael G.Guide
Mongaup Pond
Great Catskill Campgroud
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.
SomadNomad M.Traveler
October Mountain State Forest
WHAT!?
First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed, second it yells you that the fee is $17.50 per site, I expected a little added extra fee for booking etc.... check out was $58.50 per night. I would have if they weren't so manipulative about it.
- Emily F.Guide
North-South Lake Campground
Nice sites
I really love this campground each of the campsites in our loop which was in the lower 100s, has a lot of foliage around it, creating privacy between you and the site next to you. There is a lake with swimming, clean bathrooms, clean, clean showers. Picnic table and fire pit with grill top. There’s a lot of bear activity here, so constantly cleaning up your food is very important. Definitely love it here for woodsy feel.
- TTyler K.Traveler
Phoenicia Black Bear Campground
Upstate fun!
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!!
- AAndrew W.Scout
Flat Creek Rd.
Doesn’t exist
We ended up having to spend the night at a different campsite that were familiar with this place. This place is a scam.
- Emily F.Guide
Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park
Perfect for a chill weekend with friends
I can here to spend time with friends and i feel like we got lucky with our site. It had a nice wooded area behind us and felt more private than some of the other site.
The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock. Close to great hiking.
- PPaul A.Scout
Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Lazy River
Great Campsite for Families and Kids
Great first tent camping experience for kids. Lots of activities, clean restrooms. One thing to keep in mind is the tent sites on the opposite side of the road from the river has no shade. Site gets pretty hot on a sunny day. Sites by the river have some shade.
- LLaurenGuide
Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run
Family oriented
Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions. Our site was large and shaded. The draw back is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level. If we stay in the same site again we would come better prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Durham, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Durham, NY is Giant Ledge Primitive Camp with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Durham, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near Durham, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.