Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area spans 6,100 acres of classic Catskills terrain. Located near Jeffersonville, New York, the area sits at elevations between 1,600-2,700 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures compared to surrounding lowlands. Fall camping brings vibrant foliage displays while spring campers encounter wildflowers and moderate rainfall averaging 3-4 inches monthly.
What to do
Equestrian trail riding: Bear Spring Mountain offers extensive horse trails through the wildlife management area. "Nothing but woods all around! Endless hiking and beautiful steams - you can drink straight from the pipes!" notes Kimberly S. about Bear Spring Mountain — DEC.
Kayaking and fishing: Launt Pond at Bear Spring provides fishing opportunities and boat rentals. "There is a day use area where you can rent a paddle boat or kayak to go out on the water. Highly recommended if you like hiking. Great flowers and nature," shares J G. about the pond area.
Hiking trail exploration: Multiple interconnected trail systems accommodate different experience levels. At Promised Land State Park, Debbie W. mentions, "The trails are well-marked. We stayed in the Pickerel Point of the park... This place is absolutely stunning. The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless."
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: "Clean, private, and quiet! We had a blast!" reports Amanda P. about her stay at Bear Spring Mountain campground. The separate equestrian camping area provides dedicated space for those traveling with horses.
Well-maintained facilities: "The bathhouses are clean. Bear Spring maintains several hiking trails that connect to the pond and surrounding forest areas," notes a camper. At Stokes State Forest, a visitor mentions "The bathrooms were the cleanest we've ever experienced at a campground."
Natural water features: Campers appreciate the streams and ponds throughout the region. At Pickerel Point Campground, Carolyn M. shares, "I spent the night in the Promised Land State Park at Pickerel Point and it was so pretty and quiet... Mine overlooked the water and had a gorgeous sunset."
What you should know
Limited planned activities: Bear Spring Mountain focuses on self-directed outdoor recreation rather than organized events. For those wanting more structured activities, Keen Lake Resort Campground offers alternatives as Mike H. describes: "They have activity coordinators that make sure there is something to do for all ages every hour of the day!"
Weather considerations: The Catskills region experiences variable weather patterns. "We had a great time despite cold wet weather. Our site was probably one of the worst in the place but we were able to scope out others that we would prefer for our next visit," shares Emily Z. about her camping experience.
Operating season: Most campgrounds in the area, including Bear Spring Mountain, operate seasonally from mid-May through late August. Some facilities like Promised Land State Park offer extended seasons: "This park is open year round with many different campgrounds."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: While Bear Spring Mountain offers basic facilities, families might appreciate campgrounds with additional features. At Lackawanna State Park Campground, a visitor notes, "There is a huge lakefront area along a different stretch of the lake that offers people a lot of ways to enjoy themselves. It also has a huge pool area."
Consider noise levels: Bear Spring Mountain's equestrian camping area can be livelier due to horse activities. For quieter family experiences, "We went camping in late October, when a lot of the other parks are closed. Only one section of their camping was still open," shares Tiffany K. about her off-season visit to a nearby campground.
Pack for variable weather: The Catskills region experiences temperature swings. Lou R. cautions, "The worst part though was when I did go and camp out for a week near the small pond part it rained and our campsite turned into a complete mud pit."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup information: Bear Spring Mountain offers sites with electric hookups and 50-amp service. Campers should note water access points for filling tanks. At Ocquittunk, a visitor mentioned, "The sites had a fire ring with a cooking grate and a picnic table and were well spaced out from other sites."
Site selection strategy: For equestrian camping near Jeffersonville, choose sites away from the main horse area if you prefer less dust and noise. Harry L. advises from his experience at another campground: "When we got to our site the sewer pipe was buried and we didn't know where it was, they sent someone out to our site within minutes."
Advance reservations: The equestrian sites at Bear Spring Mountain are popular during summer weekends. David S. notes about regional camping: "We have camped here in tents and with our teardrop trailer. All of our experiences have been good... It is a state park and so the campsites are often close, but we don't mind."