Campsites near Catskill, New York range from 1,000 to 3,000 feet in elevation throughout the eastern Catskill Mountains. The region experiences temperatures that can drop below 50°F even during summer nights, with peak camping season running from late May through early October. Winter camping is unavailable at most locations, with snowfall typically beginning in November.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: 20-minute drive from North-South Lake Campground to Kaaterskill Falls. "Kaaterskill falls, which is minutes down the road from the campground" with "the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform," notes Jessica W. The accessibility makes this a popular day trip from the campground.
Swimming in natural settings: Kenneth L Wilson Campground features an on-site lake with swimming areas. "They have a lake on site with swimming. We happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great!" reports Kyla B. The swimming areas are typically open from late June through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Whip O Will Campsites offers fishing in their private lake. "Full facilities and nice fishing pond," notes George C. The pond is stocked seasonally and doesn't require a separate fishing license as it's on private property.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds. "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites" writes Richard V. The campground features sites with varying levels of seclusion, particularly in the back loops.
Clean shower facilities: Bathroom cleanliness rates highly across several campgrounds. At Copake Falls Area, "Bathroom facilities are adequate" with "2 lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," according to Erin B. Most campgrounds clean bathroom facilities daily in the morning hours.
Specialized accommodations: Treetopia Campground stands out with unique lodging options. "They have RV sites, yurts, custom furnished treehouses with electricity, beautiful tiny homes with outdoor living spaces, completely remodeled vintage airstreams, and gorgeous private cabins!" reports Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure. These specialty accommodations require booking 3-6 months in advance.
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation. At Kenneth L Wilson, "If you leave food out you will get a warning notice if seen" and one camper had the unusual experience of getting "chased off by a bear." Food storage lockers are not provided at most campgrounds; visitors must bring bear-resistant containers.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely by location and carrier. "No cell service" at Kenneth L Wilson Campground, though other areas report better coverage. Many campgrounds post Wi-Fi availability status at their registration offices.
Site selection strategy: At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, "A lot of complaints that up front the sites were too close together and this was true, but more towards the back was more spacious and private sites," advises John E. Corner sites typically offer the most privacy but book quickly during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment facilities: Brook N Wood Family Campground offers structured activities for children. "They have a great heated pool that our little one loved. Lots of space to run around and a cute mini golf area," mentions Chelsea T. The pool is typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Dedicated kid-free areas: Some campgrounds offer adult-only sections. At Rip Van Winkle, one camper stayed "over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids!" This arrangement allows for different camping experiences within the same facility.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, campers appreciate "a rec room for rainy days" and "clean facilities." The recreation buildings typically close at 9 PM during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Deck sites for smaller rigs: Specialized parking areas cater to compact RVs at Treetopia. "We stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air," writes Janly P. These sites accommodate vehicles under 25 feet in length.
Utility placement: RVers should note the arrangement of hookups at Brook N Wood. "Shared hook ups (two sites on one pole) at the rear of the sites with the exception of sewer," explains April L. This requires appropriate length for power and water connections, typically 25-30 feet.
Remote location considerations: When staying at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, one RVer found it "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections." The review adds, "We don't have kids, but they seemed to offer a lot of programming for them." Advance reservations are essential during summer months for RV sites with full hookups.
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