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Best Campgrounds near Kingston, NY

666 Reviews

The Catskill Mountains surrounding Kingston, New York feature a range of established campgrounds with varying amenities and natural settings. Several developed facilities like Kenneth L Wilson Campground in Mt. Tremper and Mills Norrie State Park Campground in Staatsburg accommodate tent and RV camping, while properties such as Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds and Jellystone Park Gardiner also offer cabin options. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with North-South Lake Campground remaining open until late October.

Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the Catskills, with most facilities closing during winter months. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall foliage season. A camper noted, "North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds." Cell service can be limited or nonexistent at many locations, especially in more remote areas like Woodland Valley Campground. Elevation changes in the Catskills create varied microclimates, with higher elevations experiencing cooler temperatures even during summer months.

The region's campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their natural settings and proximity to hiking trails. Campsites at North-South Lake Campground are described as "spacious and private" with lakeside options available. Kenneth L Wilson Campground earns praise for its "large campsites mostly surrounded by trees" providing "just the right mix of privacy and community." Several visitors mentioned the convenience of nearby hiking trails, with one camper highlighting the Giant Ledge trail as "a 30 min drive and about a 3 mile out and back hike to Giant Ledge for amazing views overlooking the entire area." Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are occasionally reported at campgrounds throughout the region, requiring proper food storage and awareness.

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Best Camping Sites Near Kingston, New York (166)

    1. Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shokan, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 679-7020

    $22 / night

    "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"

    2. North-South Lake Campground

    43 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 589-5058

    $22 - $44 / night

    "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."

    "Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer."

    3. Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Staatsburg, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 889-4646

    $17 - $102 / night

    "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."

    4. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds

    16 Reviews
    Saugerties, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 246-8334

    "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."

    5. Jellystone Park Gardiner

    32 Reviews
    Gardiner, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 255-5193

    "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."

    6. Woodland Valley Campground — DEC

    29 Reviews
    Phoenicia, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 688-7647

    $20 / night

    "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. "

    7. Thousand Trails Rondout Valley

    13 Reviews
    Accord, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    8. Interlake RV Park & Campground

    5 Reviews
    Rhinebeck, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 584-3729

    $46 - $60 / night

    "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."

    9. Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground

    8 Reviews
    Accord, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 951-4571

    "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."

    10. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ancramdale, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 851-3631

    $17 - $195 / night

    "The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."

    "We decided on Lake Taghkanic. Lake Taghkanic State Park was not a long drive from NYC, maybe 2 hours. The campsite was very clean and maintained."

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Recent Camping Photos near Kingston, NY

1121 Photos of 166 Kingston Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Kingston, NY

666 Reviews of 166 Kingston Campgrounds

  • Tamar W.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    The Peekamoose Valley

    Not all sites open

    Despite current info posted online and even at the Lower Field site, not all sites are open. Only the Lower Field site is open. We walked down the hill, across the bridge, and looked at a few sites in each direction. It was walk-in only and about a 5-10 minute walk to the first site. The setting was nice, close to the creek, with a stone fire ring at each. You can see the folks in the next site but there’s quite a bit of privacy. There wasn’t much wood laying around to make a fire, so plan ahead. The ports potties are in the parking lot so it’s likely that you won’t make the trek up to them. Make sure you know the rules about how far away from the water you should pee and whatnot. I believe it’s on the info sign nearby. We have a roof top tent and we were stopping in the middle of a long drive so we just waited until dark and popped it in the parking lot and then left in the morning but I don’t think you’re supposed to do that. FYI they empty the dumpsters at 4am on Monday and then do the ports potties at 7am. Yay.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Skyway Camping Resort

    One night stoo

    Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Little Pond Campground

    Small sites and no service

    I didn’t hate this campground, but I won’t be going back.

    It’s a nice campground and perfect for single/family camping. I would not choose this location if I were taking a group of people. The sites are on the smaller side and many have slanted entrances.

    The campground is kept clean and the bathrooms were tidy. The campground is in bear country so you have to be mindful about leaving food out when you’re not at the site or asleep.

    There is a pond and there’s kayaks, canoes, etc for rent. The beach area is clean and the water is clear. I was there middle of August and the water was not cold and quite comfortable. There are some water front sites that you can use to access the water with a boat or paddle board.

    Cell service is non existent and they have a pay phone near the entrance booth where you can use to make/receive phone calls. It’s a 20 min drive back into town to get cell service. That’s a non- starter for me. It would be beneficial if they had service near the entrance at least for people to check in with Family.

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • Olivia K.
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Never Sink Hideaway

    Full of Trash

    I just arrived at this location and it is filled with trash. Do NOT book here. There are houses right behind and it’s just off the side of a dirt road. The river isn’t even visible.

  • B
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Foothills

    Nice place

    Foothills is a great choice for families or groups of friends who want to immerse themselves in nature with many gentle amenities and relaxing spaces.

  • Elizabeth M.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Jellystone Park Gardiner

    Dirty bathrooms

    This is my second time I visited the park, the first time was 4 years ago and we stayed in a cabin, but a few weeks ago we decided to stay in a tent side and it was a nice experience except for some things, the campers don't respect the quiet time at night and morning too. A lot noises until 2 am and early from 6 am. But the worst experience was bathrooms, very few for the number of sites and people it covers. They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed. The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water, some had no paper, hairs everywhere, the toilets didn't work, and super dirty, the truth was a disgusting thing that didn't encourage to use them but there was no other option. For the price you pay is not for having the bathrooms under those conditions. I hope you get better because the truth is a park that has many things to have a good time but with the bathrooms with that condition, is not encouraged to reserve again. And please add more shadows in the areas of the tents and MORE BATHROOMS, is not enough to cover all the tents area.

  • sdwalter@bellsouth.net
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Interlake RV Park & Campground

    Great campsite.

    Great Campsite. Well maintained. Lots of pretty lots under the shade. Good for Families. Pool. Recreation Barn. Recycling. Some people stay here all summer. Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Alander Trail Camground — Mount Washington State Forest

    Amazing Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you’re looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy. It’s completely free and it usually isn’t too busy since most people don’t like having to carry all their stuff in that far. You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby

Guide to Kingston

Camping near Kingston, NY, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Campers at North-South Lake Campground rave about the hiking options, with one reviewer noting, "The Catskills are very scenic, and we enjoyed our time there!"
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Little Pond - DEC is close to the Beaverkill, a renowned fly fishing stream. A camper mentioned, "Nice quiet campground close to the Beaver kill and great service staff was super friendly and helpful."
  • Swimming: Many campgrounds, like Taconic Falls, have swimming areas. One visitor said, "The swimming there felt really clean, and I loved the dock."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, a reviewer stated, "The bathrooms were very clean and new, and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!!"
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A visitor at Beaver Pond Campground shared, "The staff person at Beaver Pond Campground is so sweet! She picked a site for us suitable to our vehicle."
  • Privacy: Campers enjoy sites that offer some seclusion. One camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park noted, "Some sites are grouped in open areas. These lack privacy."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Copake Falls Area mentioned, "There is a lot of noise, a lot of people, and not much enforcement of the rules."
  • Cell Service: Many areas have limited or no cell service. A visitor at Little Pond - DEC remarked, "No Verizon service and Starlink was spotty."
  • Site Size: Some campgrounds have smaller sites that can feel cramped. A camper at Woodland Valley Campground said, "The campsites are super close together and very very small spaces."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or organized activities. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner offers tons of activities, with one parent saying, "This place is so much fun. My whole family loved the activities."
  • Quiet Times: Choose weekdays for a quieter experience. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground noted, "When I plan my trip around the spring, fall, or summer weekends that look sparse, it is quiet, clean, and the others that are at the sites are nature lovers enjoying the scenery."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring along games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A visitor at North-South Lake Campground mentioned, "There’s a lot of bear activity here, so constantly cleaning up your food is very important."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park advised, "Careful which site you choose. Some sites are grouped in open areas."
  • Generators: Be aware of generator rules. A visitor at North-South Lake Campground noted, "Generators are allowed for 5 hours, and they tell you when you can use them."
  • Dump Stations: Look for campgrounds with dump stations. A reviewer at Little Pond - DEC mentioned, "There is a dump station and recycling center."

Camping near Kingston, NY, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Kingston, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kingston, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Kingston, NY and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Kingston, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kingston, NY is Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kingston, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Kingston, NY.

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