Tent and RV camping in the Catskill foothills region near Kingston, New York offers options ranging from basic forest sites to full-service campgrounds with extensive recreation facilities. Most sites in the area sit between 300-900 feet elevation with moderately dense deciduous forest cover. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with higher humidity from June through August, creating conditions that support abundant wildlife including deer, turkey, and occasionally black bears.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pelton Pond at Clarence Fahnestock State Park offers anglers a chance to catch panfish and bass. "One fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds," according to campers at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Swimming beaches: Lake Taghkanic State Park features a sandy swimming area with lifeguards during summer months. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks. Worth every penny," notes a visitor at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Kenneth Wilson Campground provides access to numerous Catskill region trails. "The campground does not sell wood, but rangers will direct you to a gas station close by where you can buy some. This campground is about 45 minutes from Minnewaska State Park which is beautiful and has good hiking," shares a camper at Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Historic sites: The Hudson Valley region contains significant historical attractions within short driving distance of most campgrounds. "Close by is the Roosevelt Presidential Library and house, Vanderbilt House, and even further out is Woodstock and plenty of other cool parks," mentions a reviewer at Mills Norrie State Park.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campsites throughout the region offer secluded settings. "This is what I want for a Catskill campground. It is not a concrete pad haven and yes, there is mud. Our site was even and easy to level on," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Water activities: Multiple lakes and ponds provide recreation options. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," mentions a visitor describing their stay at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Stargazing opportunities: Lower light pollution allows for excellent night sky viewing. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer chances to observe local animals. "We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers. At least they turned off the music at quiet hours," reports a camper describing the natural setting at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Black bears are present in the Catskills region. "Got chased off by a bear. It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear," shares a camper at Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise. "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," notes a visitor at Mills Norrie State Park.
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and maintenance of facilities differs between campgrounds. "Showers always clean bathrooms also," mentions a camper at Mills Norrie State Park Campground, while others note older facilities at some parks.
Reservation timing: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" advises a reviewer at Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer extensive recreation options. "This campground is great. Lots of activities, a pool access, food court and basketball courts," notes a camper about Skyway Camping Resort.
Lake swimming: Multiple parks offer swimming beaches with amenities. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," shares a visitor at Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Site selection: Choose locations based on proximity to amenities. "I do feel the campground bathhouse really needed more attention... while it had clearly been painted this past year, it was very 'buggy,'" mentions a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park, highlighting the importance of checking facilities.
Rainy day options: Weather can be variable in the Catskills region. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" notes a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park regarding the elevated tent platforms during inclement weather.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Terrain at some campgrounds requires preparation. "Our site was even and easy to level on. Lots of locals and summer residents," shares an RVer about their experience at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Electric service reliability: Power needs vary by campground. "Nice, quiet place. Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting," notes an RV camper at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Sewer connections: Some rv campgrounds near Kingston, New York have unusual hookup configurations. "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," mentions an RVer staying at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Off-season camping: Many RV parks near Kingston offer extended seasons. "Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff," reports a visitor at Interlake RV Park & Campground, one of the established rv campgrounds providing full hookups in the Kingston area.
