Little Pond Campground sits at 1,800 feet elevation in Delaware Wild Forest, providing pet friendly camping near Andes, New York throughout the camping season from mid-May through late September. The surrounding Catskill Mountains feature a mix of hardwood forests and water features, with summer temperatures typically reaching the mid-70s during the day and dipping into the 50s at night. Campers should prepare for limited to non-existent cell service at most camping locations in this area.
What to do
Fishing the Beaverkill River: The renowned Beaverkill River offers premier trout fishing opportunities near Beaverkill Campground. "Checking in was easy and fast. We got to our campsite (which was easy to find) and found it clean and ready for our stay. Our site was on the Beaverkill River and provided a nice tranquil sound," notes Luke S.
Explore mountain hiking trails: The Catskills offer extensive hiking networks with varied difficulty levels. At Giant Ledge Primitive Camp, hikers can access challenging terrain with rewarding views. "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," reports Caleb J., providing important context about trail conditions.
Paddling on small lakes: Several campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities on small lakes. "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," mentions Giselle P. about Little Pond's water amenities.
What campers like
Private walk-in sites: Campers seeking seclusion appreciate the walk-in tent sites available at Alder Lake. "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables. We had a stellar time just hiking down the path and relaxing by the water," according to Nora S.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained bathrooms and showers at Woodland Valley Campground. "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," writes Derek W.
Mountain stream soundscapes: The natural sounds of flowing water enhance the camping experience. "The mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing; weather was great and we could see the stars through the canopy - very very enjoyable!" shares John N. about Woodland Valley.
What you should know
Bear country precautions: All campgrounds in this region enforce strict food storage policies due to active bear populations. A camper at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground reports, "There are bears and if you leave food out you will get a warning notice if seen. The rangers were really nice and would go up to you and introduce themselves."
Limited or no cell service: Communication is restricted throughout most camping areas. "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," notes Giselle P. about connectivity limitations at Little Pond.
Campground rule enforcement: Rangers actively patrol and enforce regulations at campgrounds. A reviewer at Bear Spring Mountain mentions, "If you are a tent camper, you're not allowed to pitch a tent on any small patches of grass that do exist so be sure to accommodate for that if you still decide to go here."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Nickerson Park Campground offers family-friendly water features. "The pool/water slides were a hit with the kids! Also, the staff come around to pick up your trash bags daily, which was a nice little perk," shares Sarah S., highlighting amenities that appeal to families with children.
Accessible hiking options: Families with younger children can find suitable trails around several campgrounds. "The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk. The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely," notes Erik C. about trails accessible from Alder Lake.
Farm and playground access: Some campgrounds offer additional entertainment for children. A camper at Roscoe Campsites notes, "The farm, playground, beach, and shallow river make it a great, easy entry point for new and younger campers," providing context for families considering pet friendly camping near Andes with young children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: RVers should research utility connections before arrival. At Crazy Acres Campground, Wilson W. reports, "My site had 30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water. Very quiet as they had just opened."
Challenging access roads: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. A camper at Alder Lake cautions, "The place is pretty easy to access with paved road the whole way there except for the last 1/2 mile where it is very bumpy. Some might say 4*4 but we made it just fine in our little Camry."
Site leveling considerations: RVers should prepare for potentially uneven terrain. One visitor to Woodland Valley notes, "The long, narrow, and winding road from Route 28 to Woodland Valley campground should not keep you from camping there! The campground is located on a nice stream and has some really nice sites and some really basic sites."
Legend
