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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips for RVers
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.
