The Catskill Mountains surrounding Hunter offer camping options at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations between valley and mountain sites. Summer nights typically cool to 50-55°F even when daytime temperatures reach 80°F. Most campgrounds operate on a reservation system with peak occupancy from late June through October's fall foliage season.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: From Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, hikers can reach nearby Minnewaska State Park with its many waterfalls. "This campground is about 45 minutes from Minnewaska State Park which is beautiful and has good hiking," notes one camper at Kenneth L Wilson.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds provide swimming access, though not always on-site. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares a visitor about North-South Lake Campground. Some campgrounds require driving to nearby water features.
Tubing on local rivers: The Esopus Creek offers popular tubing opportunities. "River access for tubing! Love the owner! 2 minutes walk to town," writes a camper about Phoenicia Black Bear Campground, highlighting the convenience of water recreation combined with town access.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the site layout at certain campgrounds. "We LOVED our site (site 9). It 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!" reports a visitor to Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Creek access: Water features enhance camping experiences. "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. The creek was perfect for dipping your feet and just hanging out," explains a camper at Phoenicia Black Bear Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Wildlife sightings add excitement to camping trips. "Got chased off by a bear... It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear," recounts a visitor at Giant Ledge Primitive Camp.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. "No cell service in the campground," reports a camper at Kenneth L Wilson. Another notes about Woodland Valley Campground: "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while."
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground bathrooms range from modern to primitive. At Devil's Tombstone, "The bathrooms are a glorified hole in the ground with a toilet seat, but if you need it, it's there. No sinks. But there is a water source in between every other site for when you need it."
Terrain challenges: The mountainous landscape affects campsite conditions. "The site is very rocky, so a sleeping pad or air mattress would be ideal," warns a camper about Devil's Tombstone Campground. Another notes at Giant Ledge: "It is a near vertical hike the first mile with 90% or more being over rock gardens."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Some campgrounds offer specialized facilities for kids. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," comments a visitor about North-South Lake Campground.
Site selection for privacy: Families may prefer certain site locations. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, a visitor notes: "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities can't wait to go back."
Educational opportunities: Wildlife and natural features provide learning experiences. "We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," shares a North-South Lake visitor about the facilities that make family camping more comfortable.
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig accessibility: Many Catskill campgrounds have restrictions. "We ended up at this campground because the family we were traveling with needed to accommodate their 50 foot camper. As a rule of thumb- I try to visit as little RV parks as I can, but we were trying to find somewhere that would accommodate both of our needs," explains a camper about Brookside Campground.
Site leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain affects RV setup. "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite," notes an RVer at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, one of the more RV-friendly options in the area.
Weather preparedness: The mountain climate requires preparation. "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas. We stayed here in a travel trailer," reports a Brookside camper, highlighting the importance of site selection for RVs during inclement weather.
