Camping near Kingston, New York offers diverse options between the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River. At elevations ranging from 200 feet near the river to over 3,000 feet in the western mountains, campers experience varying microclimates throughout the camping season. Night temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees from daytime highs even during summer months, requiring campers to pack accordingly.
What to do
Creek exploration: Plattekill Creek at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds provides natural water recreation just steps from campsites. "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," notes one camper.
Scenic walking trails: The campground at Woodland Valley connects directly to numerous hiking paths. A visitor shares, "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."
Historical exploration: Campsites at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley position visitors within day-trip distance of regional landmarks. A camper notes, "Scenic Willride on 44-55 to Mohonk House and trails. Local shops just minutes from campgrounds. Walmart and other bigger shops just a short drive away!"
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground offers walk-in sites preferred by many visitors. "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 like the star sites, because they're up and away a little bit more than 10-15," advises one reviewer.
Hot showers year-round: Many campgrounds maintain shower facilities until closing date. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there."
Proximity to climbing areas: Established campgrounds position visitors near popular rock climbing destinations. "This is the closest legal camping option to the trapps/mohonk preserve. There are discounts for being a member of the aac or mohonk preserve," explains a camper about Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground.
What you should know
Weekend capacity variations: Campgrounds fill differently throughout the week. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, "Deserted during the week but packed on weekends. Sites are large and spread nicely. There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite."
Train noise affects some sites: Campers sensitive to sound should choose locations carefully. "It was situated right across the Hudson River from a highly active nighttime freight train route, and the noise from the horns and then being awake for a few minutes as the train clattered by," reports a visitor at Mills Norrie State Park Campground.
Bear safety protocols: Proper food storage is essential at most Catskill campgrounds. "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," notes a camper at Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-focused programming: Jellystone Park Gardiner designs activities specifically for children. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," reports one visitor.
Consider water feature access: Swimming areas accommodate various ages. "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also," notes a visitor to Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Check bathroom proximity: Some campgrounds offer sites strategically positioned near facilities. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, "Site 71 was separated a little bit from other sites as you can see on the map which was so nice and also just a 20-second walk from the bathroom."
Tips from RVers
Cell reception varies widely: Mobile connectivity impacts working campers. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, visitors report "No cell service in the campground," while Interlake RV Park has "free wi-fi" throughout the property.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer sewer connections at sites. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite," provides convenience for longer stays.
Site selection matters: Specific site knowledge helps larger vehicles. "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," shares a camper at Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
