Camping sites near Gardiner, New York offer diverse terrain options across the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain regions at elevations ranging from 300 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the region have compacted soil with a mix of wooded and open sites that drain reasonably well after rainfall.
What to do
Hiking the Mohonk Preserve: Access miles of trails directly from Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground where "Love this campground! Have been here several times and have never had a complaint... Located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area," according to camper Jackie B.
Visit nearby waterfalls: Within 20 minutes of camping areas, several accessible falls provide recreation opportunities. "We went to see acosting falls one morning but due to the drought it was a trickle instead of a waterfall," notes Stephanie H. about her trip while staying near Gardiner.
Rock climbing: The Shawangunk Mountains offer world-class climbing routes for all skill levels. Cory D. explains that the Samuel F. Pryor campground is "near world class hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, swimming holes and waterfalls" and has "clean, well maintained" facilities.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes in the area support various fish species. At Winding Hills Park, "There is a large lake to kayak and fish in. NO SWIMMING. The lake is a nice size and has a trail so you walk the entire length with benches around a good portion to sit and/or fish," explains Amanda B., who notes that "fishing license is required to fish here and they do come around to check licenses."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots with natural screening. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, "Campsite was secluded and quiet. Close to hiking trails and the facilities were in good shape," reports Thomas H., while Katherine P. adds that their site "allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy."
Well-maintained facilities: Newer bathhouses and clean amenities enhance the camping experience. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "Showers always clean bathrooms also" and note the availability of "Group camping sites" and "Single private sites" according to Frank M.
Communal gathering spaces: Some campgrounds feature central areas for socializing. Samuel F. Pryor III campground has "eliminated fire rings at each site and opted for one, communal fire pit to encourage more social interaction," explains Cory D., adding that "There is a pavilion near the fire ring with sinks and bathrooms with pay showers."
Lake access: Water features provide recreational options at several campgrounds. At Winding Hills Park, Amanda B. notes the "large lake to kayak and fish in" and mentions that "the lake is a nice size and has a trail so you walk the entire length with benches around a good portion to sit and/or fish."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most camping facilities close during winter months. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, the season runs "Apr 1 - Nov 1" according to the campground information, while Kasey M. notes the property has "a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes."
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly across the region. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Asher K. advises that "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site... I highly recommend this place but check out the sites online to get one that is private."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active in parts of the region. Kane B. from Kenneth L Wilson Campground candidly shares, "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."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, campers should note that "We were assigned our reserved site rather than choosing it," according to Mollie R., who also mentions that it's "A bit expensive without the AAC or Mohonk membership."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive children's programming. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," shares Jennifer I., while Amanda S. adds it has a "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."
Swimming access: Several campgrounds offer lake swimming during summer months. At Jellystone Park, Jody B. appreciates the "Nice. QUIET. Great pool with beverages for the adults..." and notes they're "Making this a yearly trip as well."
Playground facilities: Look for campgrounds with play equipment for different age groups. Stephanie H. observed at Jellystone that "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."
Noise considerations: Family-oriented campgrounds may have longer active hours. At Jellystone Park, one reviewer noted that "The kids were around until about 10:30 or so each night. People tend to walk through your campsite constantly. Even adults with their dogs."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. At the New York City North-Newburgh KOA, Jason noted the campground has "sites were a little on the small side and stacked a lil closer than I like, but we had a good time, some beautiful views from some beautiful motorcycle roads."
Access challenges: Some campsites have difficult approaches for larger rigs. April L. shares that at NYC North-Newburgh KOA, "Some sites are hard to get into and others are in more of a large parking lot, but I think that is for workers for local pipeline companies. They have been working on upgrades and adding more patio sites which does improve the place."
Dumping facilities: Note locations with sanitary dump stations. At Winding Hills Park, "There are no spots with sewer hookup but they have a dumping area," according to Valen K., who adds that the campground "is always kept clean and quiet."
Water access points: Plan for water fill locations if full hookups aren't available. Robert M. explains that Thousand Trails Rondout Valley has "Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent" and offers a "service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
