145 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Howes Cave, New York range from developed state park campgrounds to remote dispersed sites. Max V. Shaul State Park Campground in nearby Fultonham provides 30 spacious campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, while primitive camping opportunities exist at Betty Brook Camp and Duck Pond Campsite within a short drive. The region includes both tent-focused areas and full-service campgrounds capable of accommodating RVs with hookups, such as Frosty Acres Campground approximately 25 miles northeast.
Road access varies significantly between developed and dispersed camping areas. Rougher conditions affect remote sites, particularly at Duck Pond Campsite. "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse," noted one visitor about Duck Pond. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with Thompson's Lake Campground at Thacher State Park opening earliest in late April. Winter camping remains available at select locations like Burnt Rossman State Forest. Cell service can be intermittent at remote sites, which becomes particularly relevant when navigating rough forest roads.
Campers consistently mention the peaceful atmosphere of smaller campgrounds in the region. Max V. Shaul State Park receives praise for its modern facilities and spacious sites. According to one visitor, "The bath house is clean and modern" while others appreciate the "lots of space between sites." Dispersed camping areas provide even greater seclusion, with Betty Brook Camp described as "remote" where "sometimes you never see anyone." Proximity to water features prominently in positive reviews, with stream-side camping available at several primitive sites. The elevation at certain campgrounds, particularly Frosty Acres at approximately 1,400 feet, delivers scenic valley views but can experience significant wind. Nearby attractions include waterfalls and hiking opportunities at Vromans Nose, enhancing the recreational value of camping in this area.
"Just ok distance between camp sites. If we return we might try the more upper loop further from the front"
"Watched a video on YouTube that was a walk through of each site. So peaceful. Lots of good hiking. Sinks for dishes, clean bathrooms and showers."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $32 / night
Check Availability"It’s across from the bathrooms, behind there’s a trail that takes you to the lake (about a 5 min walk). No electric, water, or dump station."
"Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"This was a perfect location for the first 2 days of our vacation. Steve and Michelle were incredibly accommodating and wonderful hosts! We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!"
from $130 / night
Check Availability"Only downside is there is not a hiking/walking path down to the lake from the campground. Very nice bathrooms w shower and wash station. Electricity and water available at or near each campsite."
"Close to Cooperstown and within driving distance from Oneonta. Quiet and spacious campsites"
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability"I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road."
"After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."
"Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads"
"Our site was on top of the creek, close to the path down to the water and close to a hiking trail. During our visit we drove around the nearby towns and didn't find much to see or do with our time."
"We had reservations about being side by side with other RVs but the site we were in was so big and being in a valley with huge trees all around a large open grassy area in the middle made everything feel"
"Entrance is soft"
"Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
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.
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.
ScoutSpaces were easy in/out. Mature trees between sites. Pool, office, pickleball, k9kamp, bathrooms were all nice.
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!
LegendMostly peaceful campground with nice spots, most of which offer some privacy. If you are bothered by trains, note that you will hear them in the background quite frequently from the railroad bridge that passes over the Hudson River. It's not loud by any means, but you can hear them.
The state park staff and the camp hosts were all very friendly, and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a state park.
Site 20 is a pull through site and it's huge, and while it is next to the shower building, it's far enough away that it really isn't a problem. Also, the field between you and the shower building is a fantastic spot to set up a Starlink dish.
Travelerbeautiful quiet space, great home base for the Catskills and small towns around here. note there's only a few spots. road conditions were fine.
GuideWe went the 2nd week of October and seems like we had just missed the foliage peak but it was still beautiful.
Everyone minded their business and most sites were 2-4 people, showers were clean and warm but the kind where you gotta push the button every 30 seconds. Toilets were clean and running smoothly (we were in the southernmost loop, closest to the camp office)
No cellphone reception but we could get satellite signal to text our loved ones that we were alive and well!
We loved the hiking and especially kayaking on the pond
LegendWhat an amazing find! This was a perfect location for the first 2 days of our vacation. Steve and Michelle were incredibly accommodating and wonderful hosts! We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!
Dispersed camping options abound in the rural landscape surrounding Howes Cave, New York. The region sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,400 feet with heavily forested terrain and numerous streams. Winter camping remains viable at select locations, with Burnt Rossman State Forest offering accessible sites even during colder months.
Waterfall exploring: Several waterfalls are within short driving distance of campsites near Howes Cave, New York. At Max V. Shaul State Park Campground, campers can venture to nearby falls. "There's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose," notes Brian H. in his review.
Swimming and boating: The Thompson's Lake beach area provides water-based recreation during summer months. Thompson's Lake Campground offers "kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too," according to Sabrina H., making it ideal for water activities just 30 minutes from Howes Cave.
Winter recreation: For cold-weather enthusiasts, Burnt Rossman State Forest permits winter camping with sites accessible from the main road. Felix R. confirms it's "a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-spaced camping spots. At Hide-A-Way Campsites, Jackie M. found it "well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot." The small size contributes to its quiet atmosphere.
Streamside camping: Primitive sites along waterways provide natural white noise and scenery. At Betty Brook Camp, Robert B. notes, "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," making it popular with campers seeking water features.
Modern bathhouses: Facilities at established campgrounds receive consistent positive mentions. Max V. Shaul State Park features new restroom buildings with "new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms," according to Margaret L., who appreciates these upgrades along with reasonable firewood prices.
Road conditions: Access to remote sites can be challenging, especially for larger vehicles. Duck Pond Campsite reviews warn about difficult approaches: "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse," shares The L., noting intermittent cell service that complicated navigation.
Wind exposure: Higher elevation campsites experience significant wind. Frosty Acres Campground sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation and gets "windy as all get out," according to James S., though this position rewards campers with "view of the sunrise over the entire valley."
Early reservations: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Thompson's Lake Campground is especially busy between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, with lakeside sites booking months in advance.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Glimmerglass State Park Campground receives praise from Dana O. who writes, "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more."
Nature programs: Educational opportunities enhance family camping experiences. Thompson's Lake offers a nature center with exhibits and programs specifically designed for younger visitors during summer months.
Washing stations: Family campers appreciate dedicated facilities for cleaning dishes. Melissa S. highlights Thompson's Lake's "nice bathroom facilities and dish washing station!" making mealtime cleanup easier when camping with children.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven pads requiring adjustment. Jackie M. notes that Hide-A-Way Campsites has a "gravel unlevel pad full hookups," suggesting RVers bring leveling blocks.
Winter RV options: Limited winter camping exists for hardy RVers. Frosty Acres Campground maintains a small winter section where "you'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself!" according to James S., who appreciates the opportunity for winter campfires and activities.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience water issues during peak season. Peter S. recommends bringing your own water when visiting certain campgrounds, noting water pressure and quality can vary significantly depending on the facility and time of year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are campgrounds from Howe Caverns and what transportation options exist?
Campgrounds around Howe Caverns typically range from 10-30 minutes driving distance. Susquehanna Trail Campground is conveniently located off I-88 exit 13 in Oneonta, providing easy highway access. Cooperstown KOA is approximately 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown and set in quiet rural countryside, making it a reasonable drive to regional attractions. Most visitors rely on personal vehicles for transportation as public transit options are limited in this rural area. Some campgrounds may offer shuttle services for special events, but this isn't standard. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended for exploring the region, including Howe Caverns and other nearby attractions like the Baseball Hall of Fame and local shopping areas.
What campgrounds are available near Howe Caverns?
Several campgrounds are available near Howe Caverns in upstate New York. Max V. Shaul State Park Campground in Fultonham offers drive-in camping with reservable sites and toilet facilities. Nickerson Park Campground near Gilboa provides water hookups, toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly. Other options include Country Roads Campground in Gilboa and Frosty Acres Campground near Schenectady. The area offers a mix of private and public campgrounds, with varying amenities from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups. Many campgrounds in the region are seasonal, typically operating from May through October, so it's advisable to check availability before planning your trip.
Is Hide-A-Way Campsites a good option when visiting Howe Caverns in NY?
Hide-A-Way Campsites in Central Bridge is indeed a good option when visiting Howe Caverns. Its location provides convenient access to the caverns while offering basic amenities including water and toilet facilities. For alternative options with more amenities, Treetopia Campground offers a unique camping experience in the Catskills with various accommodation types including RV sites, yurts, and custom rentals. This campground is managed by Betty, who provides tours of the facilities. Hide-A-Way Campsites is suitable for visitors primarily interested in exploring Howe Caverns and wanting a simple, accessible camping option in the immediate vicinity. Their drive-in access makes it convenient for both tent campers and those with recreational vehicles.
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