185 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Catskill Mountains surrounding Highmount, New York feature a mix of developed campgrounds and primitive sites across state-managed lands. North-South Lake Campground, approximately 20 miles northeast of Highmount, represents one of the larger public camping areas with tent and RV sites nestled among forested terrain. Woodland Valley, Kenneth L. Wilson, and Little Pond campgrounds provide additional developed options with varying amenities. Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites along creeks, ponds, and lakes, while primitive camping opportunities exist at locations like Giant Ledge Primitive Camp and Alder Lake. The region includes both drive-in sites with electric hookups and more remote walk-in tent sites for those seeking greater solitude.
Camping seasons typically run from mid-May through early October, with most developed campgrounds closing by mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout much of the area, with several reviewers noting complete disconnection at campgrounds like North-South Lake. Many campgrounds feature a mix of wooded and waterfront sites, though terrain can be challenging with some locations having significant inclines. Black bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. As one camper noted, "There are bears that visit the campground & one came one of the nights & visited our camping neighbor's site. They showed us a picture - it was a large black bear."
Campers consistently highlight the region's hiking opportunities, with many campgrounds providing direct access to trail networks. Sites along creeks and lakes receive particularly positive feedback, with visitors appreciating the natural soundscape. "We stayed at one of the creek front campsites and highly recommend doing so. They're slightly more expensive but the view is so worth it," noted one reviewer of Phoenicia Black Bear Campground. While most developed campgrounds offer basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restrooms, shower facilities vary in quality and availability. Campgrounds closer to towns like Phoenicia provide convenient access to supplies and dining options, while more remote locations offer greater privacy but require better preparation. Weekend crowds are common during summer months, with weekday visits providing a quieter experience.
"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"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"Pros: Near wonderful, little-used hiking trails - challenging ones, too!
- Close to Catskill town options to explore, e.g."
"You can see a picture here of the water just a 10 foot trail away from our campsite. All in all a great trip."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"You will see a yellow little circle sign on a tree with a tent on it, a short distance down that side trail there is the site. It has rock benches and a fire pit. Primitive."
"However the descriptions of this place in reviews here and elsewhere provided very little info and once I got out to the trail realized how different it was to what I expected."
"There are two campsites located right outside of the park where you can park your car next to your tent but we opted to hike in."
"There are several beautiful, secluded hike-in sites along the lake which I would love to return to someday. The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk."
"A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table"
"Short walk to all campsites."
"this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"
"It was close to trails and town"
from $16 / night
Check Availability"Right outside downtown Phoenicia the black bear campground is perfectly situated for a multitude of activities. They offer creek front and wooded campsites."
"2 minutes walk to town"
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Cool spot next to a pond. There are a few others that aren’t next to a pond, and therefore not as cool… but still pretty cool bc it’s free and you can walk up a little to a pond."
"Nice spot right off the main road and close to town. Small pond-don’t think there are any fish. Picnic table. Fire pit with cooking griddle. Trails to the fishing access across the road."
TravelerCamp is pretty close together but most spots have a thick tree line between them which is nice. You still get a bit of road noise off the bridge and surrounding areas but it’s not to bad and the views at the boat launch on the Hudson are gorgeous
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.
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!
Catskill campgrounds near Highmount offer terrain varying from creek-side valleys to mountain settings between 1,500-4,000 feet elevation. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer highs around 80°F and cool nights often dropping to 50°F. Primitive camping opportunities range from remote backcountry sites to free dispersed options with basic amenities.
Hiking to mountain views: Giant Ledge Primitive Camp provides access to some of the most scenic viewpoints in the Catskills. "There's a couple marked campsites scattered along the trail, we camped at the first one on the way up. Good hike with a bit of a challenge climbing rocks at the end towards the ledge but nothing crazy," notes Emily S. The trail gains approximately 1,000 feet of elevation over 1.5 miles to reach the ledge views.
Creek exploration: The region's waterways offer swimming and cooling opportunities during summer months. At Woodland Valley Campground, campers appreciate the natural water features. "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," explains Meike W.
Stargazing: Clear nights at higher elevations provide excellent celestial viewing opportunities. One visitor to Giant Ledge described their experience: "Yes you can camp on top of the mountain. Yes you can make a cap fire. Yes you can star gaze by the views near the camp. Yes it's amazing."
Mountain creek soundscape: Natural water features enhance the camping experience at several locations. John N. from Woodland Valley Campground shared: "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!"
Secluded waterfront sites: Little Pond Campground offers walk-in sites that provide greater privacy. "We had a walk in site and it was fantastic! Right on the water and pretty private. Each walk in site has its own bear box and outhouse. Do recommend bringing something with wheels. It's not too far from the parking lot, but it's far enough to be annoying to carry everything," advises Lauren S.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can utilize no-cost sites in the region. Allaben Campground provides free dispersed camping with basic amenities. "A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table," reports Drew H. The site typically has 5-7 camping spots that fill quickly on summer weekends.
Bear activity: Black bears remain active throughout the camping season. Derek W. from Phoenicia Black Bear Campground shared a first-hand experience: "Oh and In the morning we woke up to a baby bear walking on our campsite. We kept our distance but that was definitely a thrill." Proper food storage in bear canisters or vehicles is mandatory at all sites.
No cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have limited or no connectivity. "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. Some campgrounds like Kenneth L. Wilson provide payphones for emergency communication.
Weather preparation: Mountain climate brings variable conditions even in summer. Temperatures can drop significantly at night, and afternoon thunderstorms occur frequently between June and August. Campers should pack layered clothing and rain gear regardless of forecast.
Playground access: Some campgrounds provide dedicated recreation areas for children. At Devil's Tombstone, "There is a playground for kids so you don't have to watch over them while you set up," according to Phillip L. The playground features standard equipment suitable for children aged 4-12.
Gentle hiking options: Kenneth L. Wilson Campground offers family-friendly trail access. "They have a lake on site with swimming. We happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great! We had a great time and definitely seemed family friendly," says Kyla B.
Water-based activities: Several campgrounds feature water recreation suitable for various ages. "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 a Woodland Valley visitor.
Site selection for larger vehicles: North-South Lake Campground accommodates various RV sizes but requires advance planning. As one camper notes, "Large campsite, clean facilities, fire pit, friendly and knowledgeable staff." RVs over 25 feet should request specific sites when making reservations.
Limited hookups: Most campgrounds offer only basic electric service. At Kenneth L. Wilson Campground, campers note that sites 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." The campground provides 30-amp service at designated sites.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. At Alder Lake, one RV owner advised: "Was not the easiest for my RV van to get up the hill with the ruts, but I have a small lift so it helps, lower clearance vans might not make it." Most campgrounds provide road condition updates on their reservation websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Highmount, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Highmount, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 185 campgrounds and RV parks near Highmount, NY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Highmount, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Highmount, NY is Woodland Valley Campground — DEC with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Highmount, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Highmount, NY.
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