Camping options near Hensonville, New York range from small, rustic sites to more developed campgrounds with full amenities. The area sits at elevations between 1,000-3,000 feet in the northeastern Catskills, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking access to Kaaterskill Falls: Many campers at Devil's Tombstone Campground appreciate its proximity to popular hiking destinations. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," explains Brittany W.
Fishing opportunities: Local lakes and creeks provide fishing options for campers throughout the season. "If you like to camp by water, this is the perfect place for you. It has amazing on the water sites you can camp at, plus a stunning view of the Catskills. The hikes are just easy enough for anyone in the family," notes Meike W. about Woodland Valley Campground.
Creek relaxation: Several campgrounds feature creeks where visitors can cool off during summer months. A visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds shares: "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."
Mountain biking trails: The network of trails throughout the region supports mountain biking adventures of various difficulty levels. "I spent many an afternoon with my family enjoying the facilities at North/South Lake. I've recently started going there again with my own family and it's great to see them take the same enjoyment I did. Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all," reports Chris D.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground. "We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at this site from July 24-26 2020, at site 58 on Loop C. Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy, but some of the other sites were literally next to the road," notes Katherine P.
Water features: Creeks and streams running through campgrounds rank highly in reviews. "The mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing; weather was great and we could see the stars through the canopy - very very enjoyable!" shares John N. about his experience at Woodland Valley Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities matter to campers visiting the Hensonville area. "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," explains Jessica W. about her experience at North-South Lake Campground.
Camping store access: On-site stores provide convenience for forgotten items. A camper at Whip O Will Campsites observed: "Good vibes, simple amenities, great camp store and a good location! A good spot for overnight or extended camping especially if you aren't planning on doin extra to go into the Natl Park."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the Hensonville area have poor or no cell coverage. "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while," notes John N. about Woodland Valley Campground. Similarly, a visitor to Kenneth L Wilson reported: "There was no cell service in the campground."
Firewood availability: Policies vary regarding firewood at each campsite near Hensonville. "The firewood here for sell is 5 dollars for a bunch. At night there is a lot of mosquitoes so bring deet and long clothing," advises Phillip L. about Devil's Tombstone. Another camper mentioned: "There was no fire wood available at the campsite so buy before you come (available in Phoenicia and Woodstock, both close)."
Wildlife considerations: Black bears are active in the region. "Large campsite, clean facilities, fire pit, friendly and knowledgeable staff. This is an excellent site if you're looking to explore the Slide Mountain Wilderness and a great place to prep if you're planning to go backpacking as well. No/very limited cell service but that's not important. Did not encounter black bears but they do frequent the area," reports Derek W. about Woodland Valley Campground.
Site variations: Campgrounds offer diverse site options with varying levels of privacy. "If you've been keeping up with my ranger reviews, you know I am always very pleasantly surprised by the things I've gotten the opportunity to test out that I never knew I needed. Camping Chairs were actually on my list of things to acquire this year for our trips, so I was psyched (as usual) when I found out GCI Outdoors would be what I got to check out," shares Molly G.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. A visitor to Whip O Will Campsites noted: "The campground was so huge the grounds were so nice. It had a little arcade, a nice lake, and playground. We like the surrounding area, the mountains and hikes are awesome but we went during October when it was cold and would love to come back when it's warmer."
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas for cooling off in summer heat. "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 Campground.
Group-friendly sites: Some campgrounds cater specifically to larger family gatherings. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," notes Becky G. about North-South Lake Campground.
Kid-friendly hiking: Trails with manageable difficulty levels keep children engaged. "A lot of 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," explains Jessica W.
Tips for RVers
Limited hookup availability: RV campers should research hookup options before arrival. "We ended up at this campground because the family we were traveling with needed to accommodate their 50 foot camper. As a rule of thumb- I try to visit as little RV parks as I can, but we were trying to find somewhere that would accommodate both of our needs," shares Molly G. about Brookside Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. A camper at Kenneth L Wilson notes: "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."
Security considerations: Some campgrounds offer added security for RVers. "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite. Loved having gated security. My husband went on a work trip (Albany airport isn't too terribly far away) and left me alone for a few days and we left our rig to take the train (about 1 hr away in Poukeepsie) into the city for the weekend and we had no problems," reports C O. about Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities. "Rip Van Winkle is a beautiful campground, it's well run, well maintained, and has a lot to do! 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," explains Kathy G.
