Tent camping near Lanesville sits at an elevation around 1,500 feet in the northeastern Catskills region. This area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with summer highs typically reaching 75-80°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to 50-55°F. Several campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, though a few maintain year-round facilities with proper heating systems.
What to Do
Morning hikes: 15-minute drive to several trailheads from Blue Mountain Campground. "Located in the Catskills. This is a family friendly there's bathrooms/showers playground, pool, potable water and a outdoor pavilion. Located near hiking in the Catskills and 15 mins to Woodstock," notes one camper.
Paddling on Alder Lake: The lake at Alder Lake provides calm waters for non-motorized boats. A visitor shares, "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. We also hiked the balsam lake fire tower which had nice views of the area."
Farm animal viewing: Children can visit farm animals at nearby campgrounds. "Quain little campground, nice pool, large activities field, some things for kids to do. Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese," mentions a camper at Brookside Campground.
What Campers Like
Secluded waterfront sites: Campers appreciate the privacy at Alder Lake where "There are several beautiful, secluded hike-in sites along the lake which I would love to return to someday." Another visitor adds, "We had a stellar time just hiking down the path and relaxing by the water."
Hot showers year-round: At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, campers praise the facilities. "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," reports one visitor. Another camper mentions that "the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14)."
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Lanesville, New York, Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers yurt accommodations among their options. A camper notes, "This campground is great. Lots of activities a pool access, food court and basketball courts."
What You Should Know
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature swings, especially in spring and fall. "When it rains theres a horrible smell across the campground," warns one camper at Blue Mountain Campground, highlighting the importance of proper rain gear and site selection.
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have reported water issues. One camper at Nickerson Park Campground states, "The water smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored. Little to no pressure and a couple times no water at all." Consider bringing drinking water.
Campsite terrain: Many tent sites in the region have uneven ground. A visitor to Blue Mountain Campground mentioned, "The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent." Bring a sleeping pad and select your site carefully.
Seasonal facilities: Most campgrounds have limited operations from May through October. According to Lake Taghkanic State Park's listing, they're open "May 6 to October 15," with similar timeframes at other parks in the region.
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity planning: Children enjoy the water features at Jellystone Park Gardiner, where one parent shared, "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time."
Emergency weather options: Some campground owners provide backup shelter during storms. A camper at Brookside Campground reported, "We use tents and got a bad storm the owner called and let up bunk in the arcade for the night since she was worried."
Platform tent sites: For rainy conditions, consider elevated camping. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" notes a camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Evening activities: Many campgrounds offer night programs. "They have a event just about every weekend with kid activity," explains a visitor at Jellystone Park Gardiner, making it ideal for families seeking structured entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Country Roads Campground accommodates larger vehicles with "Spacious sites" according to a reviewer. Another camper notes they were "escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel."
Post-storm conditions: Heavy rains affect the camping area significantly. A camper at Brookside Campground observed, "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas."
Utilities and hookups: For those needing yurt camping alternatives near Lanesville, New York with full hookups, Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers "Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground. Grounds has a pool, concession stand,game room, playgrounds, sports feild and more."
