Tent camping near Hurley, New York provides access to the eastern Catskills, with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,500 feet throughout the region. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F overnight. Most tent sites sit on natural terrain requiring careful tent placement, with nearby creek access at several locations providing natural cooling during summer months.
What to do
Hiking to mountain viewpoints: Giant Ledge Primitive Camp offers access to spectacular panoramic views with minimal equipment required. A camper noted, "It is a near vertical hike the first mile with 90% or more being over rock gardens. Not some rocks littering the trail. I think the trail used to be a stream or creek." The moderately challenging 1-mile trek rewards hikers with multiple ledge viewpoints.
Rock climbing: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground serves as the primary basecamp for accessing world-class climbing routes. According to one visitor, "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." The campground is specifically designed for climbers with communal areas for sharing information.
Lake swimming: At Echo Lake, tent campers can enjoy refreshing swims after setting up camp. The surrounding hills provide natural windbreaks and shade throughout the day. A visitor mentioned, "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants)." Morning fog often creates peaceful conditions for early risers.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Lake Minnewaska Picnic Area receives consistent praise for its cleanliness. One camper reported, "We went in September and the color of the leaves on the trees were stunning. There are lots of trails and places to climb nearby. Both the campsite and hike trail were extremely clean, staff was friendly, and they were continuing to update the paths."
Natural isolation: Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed camping area offers true disconnection just south of Hurley. A recent visitor shared, "If you like dispersed camping, this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it's quiet & off the beaten path." The small parking area limits overcrowding, with only 4-6 vehicles able to park at one time.
Waterfront sites: The Peekamoose Valley provides stream-side camping with natural white noise. According to a camper, "This is a cute little campground between the Peekamoose Road and Rondout Creek. It's actually a set of 4 campgrounds, the lower field, the middle field, the upper field, and the trailer field." The proximity to water creates natural cooling during hot summer nights.
What you should know
Bear precautions: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground uses communal bear boxes located throughout the property. A camper observed, "With all the heavy bear traffic signs that were up, I was surprised to see how close bear boxes were to our tents. They seemed to be 1-10 feet away from tents in each campsite." All food items must be properly stored throughout the Catskills region.
Limited facilities: At many tent camping sites near Hurley, amenities are minimal or nonexistent. At Echo Lake, campers need to pack in all supplies and water. One camper advised, "Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in! It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others."
Site accessibility: Many camping areas require walking some distance from parking. At Peekamoose Valley, a camper noted, "I was in the lower area and had to walk pretty far with everything and make at least 6-8 trips for each load-in and out. I went and bought a wagon after the first day to carry the firewood down to our site, But the terrain was so rough it almost didn't help."
Tips for camping with families
Choose established campgrounds: Creek View Campground provides basic amenities that help with younger campers. A visitor explained, "relatively affordable for the area. Every now and then, I'd think, there's gotta be a more scenic campground, maybe I should try another one...and all the other ones I'd look up in the area would cost 3x as much and advertise how great they were for 'families.'" The campground maintains fire rings at individual sites.
Pack appropriate clothing: Temperature swings in the Catskills can reach 30°F between day and night, especially in spring and fall. At Giant Ledge, one camper shared, "Thought I heard bears come through overnight, but may have been a lucid dream. Bear can was undisturbed in the morning." Higher elevation sites generally experience cooler temperatures than valley locations.
Plan shorter hikes: Several tent camping areas near Hurley feature short nature trails suitable for children. The upper field at Peekamoose Valley offers relatively flat terrain with river access. A camper noted, "The area was pretty big and we walked down the river to watch the sunset which was beautiful. At night, the only noise you'll hear is from the river and animals in the forest."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent camping sites near Hurley cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. Only select sections of Peekamoose Valley permit RVs in designated trailer field areas. A visitor commented, "All of the sites are walk in except for the trailer field, which I didn't look at. There are fire pits at each marked site and one port-a-poty at each of the four campgrounds."
Consider weight restrictions: Secondary roads around Hurley often have weight limits or narrow passages unsuitable for larger vehicles. Smaller Class B campervans and truck campers have better access to remote tent camping areas throughout the Catskills region.
