172 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping opportunities around Haines Falls, New York center on the Catskill Mountains, with North-South Lake Campground serving as a primary destination for outdoor recreation. The area features a blend of established campgrounds and primitive sites, including options for tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Several campgrounds in the area feature amenities ranging from basic to full-service, with North-South Lake offering lakefront sites and proximity to hiking trails. Echo Lake provides a more primitive dispersed camping experience for those seeking solitude in a more remote setting.
The camping season in the Catskills typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with most established campgrounds closing by late October. Many sites require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and peak fall foliage season. "We were on a 5 state East Coast camping trip. North South Lake has no electricity. The sites are almost all beautiful, tucked in under shady trees," noted one visitor describing their experience. Bears are active throughout the region, and campers must follow strict food storage guidelines. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most campgrounds, particularly at North-South Lake where visitors should plan to be completely disconnected from digital communications.
Waterfront camping receives high marks from visitors to the region, with lakeside sites at North-South Lake Campground being particularly sought after. Multiple hiking trails connect directly to campgrounds, allowing visitors to explore scenic viewpoints without driving to separate trailheads. One camper shared: "The hiking here is phenomenal! Easy and walking distance from your site." Family-friendly amenities include beaches for swimming during summer months, boat rentals, and fishing opportunities. While most sites offer privacy with trees and vegetation between campsites, some visitors note that campgrounds can become busy and occasionally noisy during peak season weekends. The proximity to natural attractions like Kaaterskill Falls makes the area popular with both tent campers seeking wilderness experiences and RV travelers looking for scenic base camps.
"Campground Review: North/South Lake Campground is located in the Catskill Mountains in Haines Falls, NY. There are 7 loops with a total of 219 primitive sites."
"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."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"
"It was close to trails and town"
from $16 / night
Check Availability"water to play in right behind tent. I do prefer fire pits over the brick stove. this had the stove. more advanced hiking in walking distance. no cell service. my gps on phone was able to track though."
"Close to Woodstock, NY, many trails and other attractions. You need to plan for it, there's a lot to explore; some trails are challenging. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability"From it bathrooms to its pool to its general store , playground , basketball courts , bocceball, 7 acre lake and 2 miles of walkable runable paths , Ted & Angela do a fantastic job of keeping the place"
"It had a little arcade, a nice lake, and playground."
from $33 - $113 / night
Check Availability"The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."
"I went here with my friend and we were using it as our base camp as we went out in trails in the eastern Catskills notably the Devils Path, echo lake, etc."
"Nice little campground with lake sites. The Northville Placed Trail comes out in this campground. The showers were clean and plenty of pressure."
"There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake. The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees. "
"Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots."
"It's clear that the hosts take great pride in their location. Each site has a private bathroom and hot shower, as well as a kitchenette. Book your stay today and leave them some love!"
from $79 - $119 / night
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TravelerFree site ran by Peekemoose forest. There are supposed to be 12 along throughout the valley, this is the only one we were able to locate. Was able to access easily with a minivan and has a nice flat area. Can see the highway from the site.
TravelerThis is a quick and easy pull off that is large enough to accommodate most vehicles. Only con which wasn’t that big of an issue was that you are close to the road, so any vehicles going by which wasn’t many you would hear. Besides that you are in dark and quiet state forest. I would recommend this to someone for a quick overnight stay rather than an extended stay.
ScoutOctober leaves starting to fall makes for a very quiet, peaceful midweek evening in one of the two dispersed car camping sites. Exactly what I was hoping for - private and empty and lovely. Easy to find - two dispersed car sites are to the left at the fork in the road before the trailhead.
GuideMade a reservation (site44) since I arrived as the sun had set. Office registration was open until 8. Staff was neither friendly nor unfriendly. Bathroom was dated but fine and a short walk from my site. CG was emptier being a Tuesday night in mid-October, so was plenty of space.
Great trail following the Hudson River. Beautiful fall colors.
ScoutI stayed here in March 2026 for a night before going snowboarding at Belleayre Mountain. It was in the middle of a snowstorm on a Tuesday night, so I had the whole place to myself, which was nice.
TravelerA nice wooded campground that was quiet despite being almost full on our Friday night stay.
The site we stayed at (64) had some pretty large roots to drive over and may have been an issue for a low clearance vehicle (we have a Subaru Outback).
The shower / house bathroom combo units weee very clean with hot water and baby changing station.
GuideI'm sure families would like it here in the summer, but to charge $90 when everything is closed up is ridiculous. Wi-Fi and showers are an additional cost. It does have an ADA shower which is a plus. Lots of permanent RVers and some sites are tight.
ScoutNice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
The Catskill Mountains near Haines Falls offer camping opportunities at elevations between 1,800-3,000 feet with temperature variations between day and night often exceeding 20°F even in summer months. Winter camping is limited as most campgrounds close by mid-October due to harsh mountain conditions. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays from June through mid-September.
Hiking to waterfalls and viewpoints: Kaaterskill Falls sits minutes from North-South Lake Campground, offering accessible trails for all skill levels. "The hiking nearby is also relatively easy and includes the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform for Kaasterskill falls, which is minutes down the road from the campground," notes Jessica W.
Swimming and water activities: Many campgrounds offer water recreation during summer months. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares Lizz H. about North-South Lake. The beach areas are regularly maintained and supervised during peak season.
Exploring mountain trails: The eastern Catskills contain numerous trailheads within short driving distance of most campgrounds. A visitor to Blue Mountain Campground appreciated that "The campsites are nothing special here, they come with a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill... If you ordered firewood they would deliver it right to your site which was appreciated."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a highlight. "Great restrooms cleaned every morning staff was very friendly, awesome!! This campground has many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single," reports Eliany L. at North-South Lake Campground.
Creek and waterfront sites: Multiple campgrounds feature water access. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, campers enjoy direct water access: "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," writes Kyla B.
Secluded tent sites: For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping options exist. At Echo Lake, one camper shared: "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean-to with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants). We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze."
Limited cell service: Prepare to disconnect as most Catskill campgrounds have poor connectivity. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, visitors note "there was no cell service in the campground," making it important to download maps and information before arrival.
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active throughout the region. "Got chased off by a bear. 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," shared Kane B. about his experience at Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. "Stayed here 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!" notes a Rip Van Winkle camper, highlighting special reservation requirements for certain campground sections.
Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities: Some locations offer family-specific amenities. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," shares Becky G. about North-South Lake Campground.
Check playground and activity options: Whip O Will Campsites offers numerous family activities. "Extremely nice staff, even helped us check in late. Campground has lots to do with a rec center, playground, and pool. There's a great view of a lake and surrounding hills," reports Nicholas F.
Consider lake access for cooling off: Summer temperatures can reach the high 80s, making water access valuable. "Clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails. perfect Hudson getaway. Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G.
Site selection is crucial: Many campgrounds have limited large RV access. At Devil's Tombstone, sites are described as "small sites 10ft off main road" by one reviewer, making it unsuitable for larger rigs.
Hookup availability varies widely: Full service sites are limited in the region. "We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at This site from July 24-26 2020, at site 58 on Loop C. It was almost completely full that weekend, with a bit of coming and going. Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy," reports a Kenneth L Wilson camper.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly. "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas," notes David S. about his stay at Brookside Campground, highlighting the need for proper positioning and drainage considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Haines Falls, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Haines Falls, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 172 campgrounds and RV parks near Haines Falls, NY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Haines Falls, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Haines Falls, NY is North-South Lake Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 44 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Haines Falls, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Haines Falls, NY.
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