The Goshen, New York camping region sits along the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,800 feet across available campgrounds. Located within 90 minutes of New York City, the area features diverse terrain including riverfront camping along the Neversink and Delaware Rivers. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: High Point State Park offers several trail options including access to the Appalachian Trail. One visitor notes, "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake" at High Point State Park Campground.
River activities: The Delaware River provides tubing, kayaking and swimming opportunities. At Kittatinny Campground, campers can participate in organized river excursions. "Definitely go for the rafting/tubing package, it was the best part of the trip!" recommends one visitor who camps there annually with college friends.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds maintain small farm animal areas where children can interact with animals. Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort keeps goats, a donkey, and a pony on the property. According to a camper, "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Campers frequently mention enjoying the privacy of sites at Stokes State Forest, where one visitor reported, "Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents."
Water proximity: Sites adjacent to water features are particularly valued. At Oakland Valley Campground, one camper shared, "We spent most of early spring at Oakland Valley right on the river. Even though covid really forced a shutdown on activities, this was one of my kids' favorite places of the year. They loved to fish and play in the river, explore the woods and ride bikes around."
Clean facilities: Visitors frequently comment on bathroom cleanliness. West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area earns praise for its maintenance standards: "Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful."
What you should know
Military-only access: Several campgrounds near Goshen operate exclusively for military personnel. As one reviewer at Round Pond notes, "Unfortunately for me, Round Pond is camping reserved for active and retired military personnel only. We drove through and the whole space is rather large." West Point FMWR Lake Frederick is another military-only option.
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours while others have a more social atmosphere. A Neversink River Resort visitor commented, "We went with a few families and had a nice time. It is very basic and that worked for us. We were just there for the weekend to sit around the fire and catch up with friends."
Site selection matters: Review site maps carefully before booking. At Stokes State Forest, one camper warned, "The photos did not convey the actual steepness of this site!! The gravel driveway is on a 30-40 degree incline. The tent was too long for the 12'x10' platform, so we had to set it up on the flattest part and hope not to roll down the hill in the night."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers numerous organized events for children. A parent noted, "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."
Swimming options: Many campgrounds offer swimming options ranging from pools to natural water features. One family reported about Jellystone Park, "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."
Bathroom proximity: When camping with small children, consider site location relative to bathrooms. A Moon Valley Campground visitor mentioned, "This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking, cruising etc."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the hilly terrain have uneven sites. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, a reviewer noted, "Our site 30 is overgrown with weeds as were most of the sites although it had been mowed."
Waste disposal: Several campgrounds have limited waste disposal options. Pleasant Acres receives criticism for this: "Trash is located off site in a pullout on the road you drive in on... The garbage situation was the worst. Most campsites have a service, they tell you to leave it at a specific location by a certain time or they have many garbage cans throughout."
Water and electric: Full hookup availability varies significantly. One RVer at Stokes State Forest mentioned, "So, we got in with no reservation, which was great. It's in the same park as the high point, also great. The sites are varied, some have tent platforms, it's just off the AT, but we have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level."
