174 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Hurley, New York serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the Catskill Mountains region. Several campgrounds within a 30-mile radius offer accommodations ranging from primitive tent sites to fully developed RV areas with hookups. The Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground provides spacious sites with fire rings and picnic tables, while North-South Lake Campground features lakeside camping with beach access. Both locations accommodate tent and RV camping with varying levels of amenities. Mixed-use campgrounds like Rip Van Winkle and Woodland Valley offer cabin options alongside traditional campsites.
Camping availability in the Catskill region typically runs from mid-May through October, with most facilities closing for winter. A visitor noted, "Sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds." Road access varies significantly, with some campgrounds requiring navigation of narrow mountain roads. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many locations, particularly in valley areas. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when campgrounds reach capacity. Most developed campgrounds provide water access, flush toilets, and shower facilities, though amenities may be more limited at state-operated sites compared to private campgrounds.
The natural landscape dominates the camping experience near Hurley. Campers report excellent hiking opportunities directly from many campgrounds, with trailheads to popular Catskill peaks nearby. According to one review, "There are 7 loops. We were in loop 2. Site 85. There are some sites with an incline down to the site. That might give some RVs trouble." Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage at all camping areas. Water features represent a significant draw, with several campgrounds offering pond or lake access for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. Developed campgrounds typically provide a balance between natural settings and basic comforts, while maintaining enough distance between sites for reasonable privacy. Weekend camping tends to bring more activity and noise, while weekday stays offer a quieter experience.
"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"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."
from $17 - $102 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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’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."
"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"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."
"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."
"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."
"Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
"With that you get free wi-fi, a heated pool, a lake for fishing and boating, a game room and snack bar, movies, other sports, and the security of a gated entrance."
from $46 - $60 / night
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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.
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.
GuideI'm sure families would like it here in the summer, but to charge $90 when everything is closed up is ridiculous. Wi-Fi and showers are an additional cost. It does have an ADA shower which is a plus. Lots of permanent RVers and some sites are tight.
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!
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.
The Catskill region surrounding Hurley, New York sits at elevations ranging from 200 to 4,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates for camping throughout the season. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer, with 30-degree swings common at higher elevations. The wooded campsites typically remain 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby towns, making it a popular destination for escaping summer heat.
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes in the region offer good fishing without requiring a boat. At North-South Lake Campground, campers can fish in two connected lakes. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," mentions one visitor who enjoys the water access.
Hiking from camp: Many top camping spots near Hurley connect directly to trail systems. At Woodland Valley Campground, you can access the popular Slide Mountain Wilderness. A camper notes, "Large campsite, clean facilities, fire pit, friendly and knowledgeable staff. This is an excellent site if you're looking to explore the Slide Mountain Wilderness and a great place to prep if you're planning to go backpacking as well."
Waterfall exploration: The region contains numerous accessible waterfalls within short driving distance of campgrounds. According to a visitor at North-South Lake Campground, "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect."
Rock climbing access: The Shawangunk Mountains offer world-class climbing opportunities. Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides the closest legal camping to these formations. A reviewer states, "Love this campground! Have been here several times and have never had a complaint... Located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area."
Creek access: Many campsites in the region back up to streams or creeks. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, some sites sit directly on a creek. "Stayed for a night. We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Pricey--$60 a night. But super nice being right on the creek--we took our chairs and plopped down in the water," shares one camper.
Wooded privacy: Most campgrounds maintain natural forest between sites. According to a visitor at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "Rip Van Winkle is a beautiful campground, it's well run, well maintained, and has a lot to do! 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."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain above-average restroom facilities. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, "The bathrooms were fine. They were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper... The fireplaces at each site are cleaned out in between visitors so that was nice."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Hurley?
The Catskill region near Hurley offers excellent camping options. North-South Lake Campground is one of the larger public campgrounds with well-spaced sites and a huge lake, perfect for families. Another top choice is Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, nestled in the Catskills with large campsites mostly surrounded by trees, providing a good balance of privacy and community. The campground's location offers easy access to surrounding areas. For those seeking a more unique experience, the Catskills region has several additional options with varying levels of amenities and natural features.
What amenities are available at Hurley campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Hurley offer diverse amenities to suit various camping preferences. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds features two private lakes for fishing (state license required for river fishing), playgrounds, basketball courts, swimming pool, and a remote control car track. Treetopia Campground provides unique glamping experiences with RV sites and yurts. Other area campgrounds typically include basic facilities like picnic tables, fire rings, and parking at sites. Many have shower facilities (though quality varies), dump stations, and recycling centers. Some offer water recreation options including beaches, boat rentals, and fishing opportunities.
When is the best season to go camping in Hurley?
Late spring through early fall offers the best camping experience around Hurley, with summer being the peak season. May through September provides comfortable temperatures, though early May can still be cool as noted by visitors to Spacious Skies Woodland Hills. For fewer crowds, consider visiting Little Pond Campground during weekdays or avoiding holiday weekends. September is particularly pleasant with mild weather and reduced crowds. Be prepared for occasional rain throughout the season—some campers have experienced heavy rain, particularly in August. Always check weather forecasts before your trip, as Catskill Mountain weather can be variable.
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