Best Campgrounds near High Falls, NY

Camping areas near High Falls, New York range from established campgrounds to mixed-use facilities with diverse accommodation options. The Catskill region surrounding High Falls features several developed campgrounds including Rondout Valley RV Campground in Accord and Jellystone Park in Gardiner, both offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides primitive tent-only camping with proximity to popular climbing areas, while Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers a more traditional camping experience with spacious sites nestled in the Catskill Mountains. Most campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically operating from May through October.

Access to camping facilities varies by location, with many requiring advance reservations during peak summer months. The developed campgrounds generally feature well-maintained roads suitable for most vehicles, while some of the more remote areas may require careful navigation. "Most sites are very clean and accessible with access to fresh water spouts and clean bathrooms just a walk away from most sites," noted one visitor to Kenneth L Wilson Campground. Weather conditions in the Catskills can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations, making proper preparation essential. Summer temperatures typically range from comfortable to warm, while spring and fall bring cooler nights that require warmer sleeping gear. Cell phone coverage can be limited throughout the region, especially in campgrounds situated in valleys or remote areas.

Several visitors highlight the natural beauty and recreational opportunities as key features of camping in this region. The campgrounds provide convenient access to hiking trails, swimming areas, and fishing spots throughout the Catskill Mountains. Mixed-use campgrounds in the area often feature amenities like showers, flush toilets, and picnic tables, making them suitable for families and first-time campers. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers particularly value the proximity to nature while maintaining reasonable access to towns like Woodstock and Phoenicia for supplies. Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are relatively common, requiring proper food storage at all campgrounds. Weekends tend to be busier, especially during summer months and fall foliage season, with many visitors recommending weekday stays for those seeking a quieter experience.

Best Camping Sites Near High Falls, New York (183)

    1. Jellystone Park Gardiner

    32 Reviews
    Gardiner, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 255-5193

    "With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."

    "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."

    2. Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shokan, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 679-7020

    $22 / night

    "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"

    3. Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Staatsburg, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 889-4646

    $17 - $102 / night

    "There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. Amenities are the great outdoors and an ancient bath house built during the New Deal in the 1930's."

    "Firewood wasn’t available at the camp, had to drive about a mile to grab some. Close to town so easy to grab needed items."

    4. Thousand Trails Rondout Valley

    13 Reviews
    Accord, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Great place situated in a great area with lots to do all within an hour's drive. Even camping during a pandemic was peaceful & fun!"

    "This is a Thousand trails campground so it was free. I think the regular price is $64. Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground."

    5. Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground

    8 Reviews
    Accord, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 951-4571

    "I definitely recommend trying to get the walk-in (meaning you can't drive to them) sites (8-15) because they're just a little bit more set back and kind of wonderfully wooded all around. 8 & 9 seemed"

    "There are drive-up sites and also walk-in sites. No fire pits at individual campsites, though. Only a group fire pit."

    6. New York City North-Newburgh KOA

    14 Reviews
    Plattekill, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 564-2836

    "They have the best staff and they are everywhere, if you need someone they are always around and super friendly also."

    "Location- 4 stars- close to NYC but kinda just in the woods and close to homes, not much around. Sites- 4 stars- a real mixed bag- the rv/trailer only section is really nice, wooded."

    7. Woodland Valley Campground — DEC

    29 Reviews
    Phoenicia, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 688-7647

    $20 / night

    "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. "

    8. North-South Lake Campground

    43 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 589-5058

    $22 - $44 / night

    "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."

    "Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer."

    9. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds

    16 Reviews
    Saugerties, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 246-8334

    "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."

    10. Sam Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground — Minnewaska State Park Preserve

    3 Reviews
    Gardiner, NY
    7 miles
    Website

    $20 - $42 / night

    "Most acidic lake in New York but completely safe."

    "It’s got good access to Lake Minnewaska (driving), staff was nice and polite. But I thought the sites were on the smaller side and no fire is allowed."

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Recent Reviews near High Falls, NY

744 Reviews of 183 High Falls Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Osa Trail

    Gorgeous Views

    Had a great time here with my wife and 2 little kids and our dog.  One of the most beautiful sunrises we've ever seen!  Very secluded, though Alex is right down the driveway so didn't feel like the middle of nowhere.

  • Erin N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Tri-State RV Park

    Friendly Owners and Reasonable rates

    We just stayed the night last minute. We hit unexpected traffic on the way and the owners were kind enough to wait for us to check in. The sites aren’t anything glamorous but the hookups are great and easy to pull through. It is by the highway so it can be loud at times but I don’t mind. Beautiful river on the property. Bathroom and showers were clean and well stocked.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Great staff but back-to-back campsite

    We stayed a coupe of days in Oct. This is a beautiful site to camp out. The staffs are friendly and very attentive.
    Bathroom and water pressure was ok. But one shower location for 50 campsites. Three small showers units and three toilet.
    I never stayed a state campsite where the sites are so close each other. If you like a “normal” distance to your neighbors, I'd not recommend this place.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    New York City North-Newburgh KOA

    Good amenities and fun experience!

    Campsites Great campsites, wooded and cozy, though a little tight for longer rigs as our neighbors found out when they ran over a wooden post backing in. But spaced apart nicely with lots of vegetation between. Nice and level. Amenities Bathrooms are older and need of some repair but let me tell you I was very happy to see a normal shower head with real hot water! So no complaints here. Laundry facilities were clean and open 24/7 with reasonable prices 2.50/2.00 washer/dryer. And the dryers actually worked. Small dog park, communal spaces, and a camp store all made the place feel like a little village. They even have a wine store- cab sav was good. WiFi I work remotely and WiFi is always an issue. We have Starlink but in a wooded campsite, connecting is an issue but luckily their WiFi was great. Had no issues and could stream just fine. Halloween! We visited mid October and folks had sites decorated and the KOA has trick or treating and other activities every weekend in Oct. we were SO bummed to be leaving on a Friday and miss the festivities because it looked really fun. Would definitely go back. Also, staff was super nice.

  • A
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Russell Brook Campsites

    Clean, Friendly, and Right on the Water

    Loved this place! It's clean and well-maintained - even the restrooms. Every site is well-equipped with its own water, electricity, fire pit, and picnic table. The best part is the waterfront sites. We were right next to a small brook, and falling asleep to the sound of the water behind our tent was amazing. Everyone we met was super friendly. We will definitely be back!

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brookside Campground

    Not a recreational campsite

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available on Google and Dyrt. However, when we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time. Just not the vibe I’m going for. We decided to leave without staying. We called to see if we could get a refund and they were very kind and it wasn’t a problem. But just be warned… this is not a recreational campsite.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.


Guide to High Falls

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near High Falls, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, High Falls, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 183 campgrounds and RV parks near High Falls, NY and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near High Falls, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near High Falls, NY is Jellystone Park Gardiner with a 4.3-star rating from 32 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near High Falls, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near High Falls, NY.