Best Campgrounds near Highmount, NY

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Highmount, New York (178)

    1. Woodland Valley Campground — DEC

    29 Reviews
    Phoenicia, NY
    10 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. "

    2. Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shokan, NY
    16 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. Little Pond Campground

    21 Reviews
    Margaretville, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 439-5480

    $22 / night

    "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."

    4. North-South Lake Campground

    43 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    24 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."

    5. Giant Ledge Primitive Camp

    6 Reviews
    Big Indian, NY
    8 miles

    "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."

    6. Alder lake

    7 Reviews
    Margaretville, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "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."

    7. Devil's Tombstone Campground

    10 Reviews
    Elka Park, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 688-7160

    $16 / night

    "this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"

    "It was close to trails and town"

    8. Allaben Campground

    3 Reviews
    Shandaken, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "A great free spot for dispersed camping tucked right off the road. Had a fire pit and picnic table"

    "Short walk to all campsites."

    9. Phoenicia Black Bear Campground

    4 Reviews
    Phoenicia, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 688-7405

    $35 - $65 / night

    "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"

    10. Upper Esopus Creekside Camp

    1 Review
    Big Indian, NY
    6 miles
    +1 (917) 577-8780

    $130 / night

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Recent Reviews near Highmount, NY

583 Reviews of 178 Highmount Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Average

    We stayed one night in late September without a reservation. Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers. We’re from out of state and paid about $23 for a tent site which was reasonable for the facilities.

  • Tamar W.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    The Peekamoose Valley

    Not all sites open

    Despite current info posted online and even at the Lower Field site, not all sites are open. Only the Lower Field site is open. We walked down the hill, across the bridge, and looked at a few sites in each direction. It was walk-in only and about a 5-10 minute walk to the first site. The setting was nice, close to the creek, with a stone fire ring at each. You can see the folks in the next site but there’s quite a bit of privacy. There wasn’t much wood laying around to make a fire, so plan ahead. The ports potties are in the parking lot so it’s likely that you won’t make the trek up to them. Make sure you know the rules about how far away from the water you should pee and whatnot. I believe it’s on the info sign nearby. We have a roof top tent and we were stopping in the middle of a long drive so we just waited until dark and popped it in the parking lot and then left in the morning but I don’t think you’re supposed to do that. FYI they empty the dumpsters at 4am on Monday and then do the ports potties at 7am. Yay.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Skyway Camping Resort

    One night stoo

    Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff.


Guide to Highmount

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.

What to do

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."

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Highmount, NY and 14 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 14 free dispersed camping spots near Highmount, NY.