Camping near High Falls, New York offers access to the southeastern edge of the Catskill Mountains, with elevations ranging from 600 to 4,000 feet throughout the region. The area experiences relatively mild summers with average highs in the 70s-80s°F, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that can drop into the 40s. Several campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with primitive tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals available within a 30-minute drive of High Falls.
What to do
Hiking trails in Minnewaska State Park Preserve: The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides convenient access to this popular destination. "The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear," notes one camper who stayed at nearby Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Creek exploration and fishing: Multiple campgrounds feature water access. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Swimming in lakes: North-South Lake Campground offers excellent swimming options. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares one visitor who appreciates the dual lake setup.
Rock climbing for experienced adventurers: The Shawangunk Mountains (known as "the Gunks") are world-renowned for climbing. "Located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area," notes a visitor about Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground.
Historical sites exploration: Mills Norrie State Park Campground serves as a good base for visiting historic landmarks. "The park is in perfect proximity to the best attractions in the region. Visit Lake Miniwaska, Dover Church Falls, Rheinbeck Aerodrome, New Paltz."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Kenneth L Wilson Campground earns high marks for site layout. "Our site (site 9) was absolutely massive! The photo doesn't do it justice. It was set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site!"
Waterfront camping options: Woodland Valley Campground features creek-side sites. "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."
Organized activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner receives praise for its programming. "This campground has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," and another reviewer notes, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone."
Hiking accessibility: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, visitors appreciate the location: "The campground is centrally located to many things to do. Minnewaska state park was gorgeous, and the hikes around Kaaterskill as well."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Woodland Valley, visitors note "clean facilities, fire pit, friendly and knowledgeable staff."
What you should know
Bear activity requires proper food storage: Wildlife encounters are part of camping in this region. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, "There are bears and if you leave food out you will get a warning notice if seen."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "No cell service in the campground," notes one Kenneth L Wilson camper, while another mentions, "The Wi-Fi is also bad here" at Jellystone Park.
Weekend crowds vs. weekday quiet: Timing your visit impacts experience. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, "Deserted during the week but packed on weekends. Sites are large and spread nicely."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences temperature swings. At Minnewaska, "We went in September and the color of the leaves on the trees were stunning," highlighting seasonal considerations.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. North-South Lake Campground requires planning ahead: "Reserve very early for waterfront."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Multiple campgrounds offer water access that's perfect for families. At New York City North-Newburgh KOA, "They have two pools but both were overcrowded. Playground was large and in decent condition."
Entertainment options: Jellystone Park Gardiner is designed for families: "This campground is great for kids. It has events just about every weekend with kid activities," and "They have lasertag which they enjoy. And a bounce pillow."
Site selection strategies: Consider proximity to facilities when booking with children. At Kenneth L Wilson, "Our site was separated a little bit from other sites as you can see on the map which was so nice and also just a 20-second walk from the bathroom."
Family-friendly hiking: Several areas offer trails suitable for children. Rip Van Winkle visitor noted, "The creek on the property (Plattekill) is great, the pond is fun to fish in."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have variable noise levels. At Jellystone Park, one camper observed, "The campers don't respect the quiet time at night and morning too. A lot noises until 2 am and early from 6 am."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling and access: RVers should research specific sites. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates."
Hookup variations: Water, electric, and sewer availability varies by campground. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite."
Maneuvering challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. At Mills Norrie State Park, "Some have a steep descent off the road, and there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs. This happened to our neighbor and it took out his RV sewer system."
RV site privacy: Tree coverage impacts the camping experience. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "The RV/trailer only section is really nice, wooded. Has a classic campground feel."
Length restrictions: Be aware of maximum RV sizes. At Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, sites are described as "No big RVs," making it unsuitable for larger rigs.
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