172 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Esopus, New York range from developed campgrounds to more primitive sites across the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions. Mills Norrie State Park Campground in Staatsburg provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with boat-in and drive-in access along the Hudson River. The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground in Gardiner caters primarily to tent campers with walk-in and drive-in options. Several mixed-use campgrounds in the area, including Thousand Trails Rondout Valley in Accord and Jellystone Park in Gardiner, offer a combination of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the region, with most facilities operating from May through October. "North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," notes one camper. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when campgrounds reach capacity. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups and water access, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Cell service can be limited or non-existent in more remote areas, especially in the Catskill Mountain campgrounds. Weather conditions change rapidly in the mountains, with cooler temperatures even during summer months and potential for significant rainfall.
The Catskill region campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their natural settings and recreational opportunities. Campers frequently mention the proximity to hiking trails, with several campgrounds offering direct access to trail networks. North-South Lake Campground provides spacious, private sites with lake access and nearby hiking trails. "The sites are spacious and private and there are lake side sites available too. Perfect for groups! We were able to maximize our lake experience by bringing an inflatable kayak," reports one visitor. Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are common in the region, requiring proper food storage. Campgrounds closer to the Hudson River tend to be more developed with additional amenities, while those in the Catskills often provide a more rustic experience with greater privacy between sites and access to mountain trails.
"There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. Amenities are the great outdoors and an ancient bath house built during the New Deal in the 1930's."
"Firewood wasn’t available at the camp, had to drive about a mile to grab some. Close to town so easy to grab needed items."
from $17 - $102 / night
Check Availability"With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."
"We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
"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"They have the best staff and they are everywhere, if you need someone they are always around and super friendly also."
"Location- 4 stars- close to NYC but kinda just in the woods and close to homes, not much around. Sites- 4 stars- a real mixed bag- the rv/trailer only section is really nice, wooded."
"I definitely recommend trying to get the walk-in (meaning you can't drive to them) sites (8-15) because they're just a little bit more set back and kind of wonderfully wooded all around. 8 & 9 seemed"
"There are drive-up sites and also walk-in sites. No fire pits at individual campsites, though. Only a group fire pit."
"Great place situated in a great area with lots to do all within an hour's drive. Even camping during a pandemic was peaceful & fun!"
"This is a Thousand trails campground so it was free. I think the regular price is $64. Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground."
"You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river but to do the river you’ll need a New York State fishing license."
"I was a little skeptical that we wouldn’t get to choose our site, but you can’t go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated. The campground is centrally located you many things to do."
"Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
"With that you get free wi-fi, a heated pool, a lake for fishing and boating, a game room and snack bar, movies, other sports, and the security of a gated entrance."
from $46 - $60 / 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"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $17 / night
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ScoutWe used White Pines as our base while exploring this part of Connecticut and it worked out really well. We spent most of Saturday away from camp and came back tired and ready for an easy evening. Made dinner outside, started a fire, and didn’t move again until bedtime. Sometimes that is exactly what you want from a campsite.
ScoutBrought our dog along and really appreciated having a trail we could walk together. It was nice being able to get out for a walk without even leaving the campground.
ScoutWe came up for two nights with our tent and ended up wishing we had booked another. Nothing fancy about our weekend, just cooking outside, sleeping under the trees, and enjoying some time away.
GuideWe were in campsite 20 with lots of room. The first night we were there we were near very loud groups which was difficult to sleep through. The next night everyone cleared out and we had a peaceful crowd. Bathrooms are nice, the park has great hiking trails and a nice day use area! There is also an area where we can rent canoes. I would definitely return, just wish there was a little more crowd control.
TravelerThis area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
ScoutWe’ve spent several seasons camping here and have made so many great memories along the way. We have gotten to know some of the campers around us, and the campground has a nice community atmosphere. The kids always have something to do, and we enjoy sitting outside, cooking dinner, and spending evenings around the fire.
ScoutThis is our first season keeping our camper at White Pines, and we have really enjoyed it so far. It is great being able to show up on a Friday, open the camper, and start relaxing without having to tow and set everything up each weekend. Some weekends are a little busier than others, but everything still feels comfortable and easygoing. It has quickly become one of our favorite places to spend time during the summer.
ScoutWe really loved this spot- it was relaxing to listen to the sounds of the creek and not having any camping neighbors. The night sky was filled with stars and we even saw a rocket. I also appreciated having an outhouse on site- i would say the only downside was having to take our bag of poop+pee out with us when we left (site rules). The only other thing that was bothersome was being told that wood is provided at the site and then not realizing until after we got there that we would have to Venmo the owner $10 per bundle (I don’t mind paying, just wouldn’t been nice to know ahead of time that it wasn’t included in the price). I recommend this site for anyone who enjoys privacy and doesn’t mind a detox from WiFi.
ScoutWe camped with a group of friends and had a great time. It was easy to spend the day together, cook outside, and hang around the campfire at night. The campground worked really well for our group.
Camping near Esopus, New York offers diverse experiences across the Catskill region's varied terrain, with elevations ranging from 200 feet near the Hudson River to over 3,000 feet in the mountains. The area experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations with summer highs averaging 80°F and lows in the 60s, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures. Rain showers are common in the mountains, with afternoon thunderstorms frequent during summer months.
Hiking at Catskill trails: Kenneth L Wilson Campground provides access to numerous trails with varied difficulty levels. "For hiking in and around the Phoenicia area this place is the BEST! An easy commute to town, and yet secluded and wooded," notes one visitor to Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Swimming in natural settings: North-South Lake offers swimming in a natural lake setting with beach facilities. A visitor shares, "They have a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch!"
Creek exploration: At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, visitors can wade in Plattekill Creek. "Stayed for a night. We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Pricey--$60 a night. But super nice being right on the creek--we took our chairs and plopped down in the water," reports a camper.
Rock climbing opportunities: The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground caters to rock climbers with proximity to renowned climbing areas. "Love this campground! Have been here several times and have never had a complaint. There are drive-up sites and also walk-in sites. No fire pits at individual campsites, though. Only a group fire pit. Located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area," explains one visitor.
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of many Catskill area campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, one visitor noted, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish. The nearby towns are adorable and offer shopping, hiking, farms, and more."
Communal amenities: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground offers shared facilities that encourage community. "Communal fire pit and supplied wood. Covered communal pavilion with picnic tables, big sinks for washing dishes, and lighting (which shuts off at 9:47PM). Big flat tent bases to set up on," explains one reviewer.
Lake activities: North-South Lake Campground provides water recreation opportunities. A visitor reports, "This campsite is by far my favorite in the Catskills! Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable, bathrooms & beach areas are always clean, & the hiking nearby is fantastic."
Historical sites and cultural attractions: Interlake RV Park provides access to historical landmarks. A camper notes, "Great Campsite. Well maintained. Lots of pretty lots under the shade. Good for Families. Pool. Recreation Barn. Recycling. Some people stay here all summer. Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
Reservation timing: Campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, "This park can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance. There is great hiking and a lake you can get to and swim in right from the campsite."
Site variability: Campsites differ significantly in size, privacy, and amenities. At Kenneth L Wilson, "Campsite is flat and packed dirt instead of gravel, which was great. There's a standard picnic table and a decent raised fire pit, and a spigot at our site."
Transportation options: Some campgrounds are accessible without personal vehicles. For Clarence Fahnestock, one visitor shared, "Came in on MetroNorth from NYC then took a pre-arranged taxi ($25 flat rate) to the campground. Check-in was fast at the registration desk, and they sold bundles of wood for $6."
Wildlife considerations: Bears are present in the region. A Kenneth L Wilson camper reported, "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."
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family programming. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," notes one visitor. Another adds, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Avoiding crowds: Timing matters for the best family camping experience. For North-South Lake, a camper advises, "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."
Campground layouts: Some sites are better configured for families than others. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities can't wait to go back."
Nature education opportunities: Kenneth L Wilson offers environmental learning experiences. "The park staff were keeping things really clean as well. Check-in was easy, if you bring a pet make sure you have your paperwork with you, they do actually look at it."
Site selection strategy: At New York City North-Newburgh KOA, an RVer advises, "If staying here and concerned about branches I'd suggest one of the pull through sites. Specifically 138, 146 and 145 have a nice concrete patio and nicer firepit if you want to spend a little more."
Seasonal considerations: RV camping has different seasonal challenges. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, one RVer noted, "Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting."
Hookup details: Mills Norrie State Park Campground provides various hookup options. A visitor mentions, "Big sites and bathroom, friendly staff, right next to the Hudson river. Recommend!"
Security for extended stays: Some campgrounds offer secure options for longer visits. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, a visitor shared, "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground. Grounds has a pool, concession stand, game room, playgrounds, sports feild and more."
The best places to camp near Esopus, New York include options for every camping style and preference, from family-oriented resorts to primitive sites for those seeking solitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Esopus, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Esopus, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 172 campgrounds and RV parks near Esopus, NY and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Esopus, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Esopus, NY is Mills Norrie State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Esopus, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Esopus, NY.
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