Camping near Livingston Manor, New York occurs primarily in the western Catskills region at elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet. Weather patterns can shift rapidly in this mountainous terrain, with temperature swings of 20-30 degrees between day and night common during spring and fall camping seasons. Cell service remains limited or non-existent at most camping locations outside town limits, with the strongest signals typically found along Route 17.
What to do
Fishing the Beaverkill River: Anglers visiting Roscoe Campsites can access prime fishing spots on the renowned Beaverkill River. "Right on the Beaverkill River, it's quiet, clean, gorgeous, brand new cabins and concrete pads. Fisherman's heaven," notes one visitor. The river is accessible directly from many campsites.
Hiking near woodland creeks: The area features multiple accessible trails ranging from easy to challenging. 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 and a great place to prep if you're planning to go backpacking as well."
Paddling on secluded lakes: Canoe and kayak rentals are available at several locations. "We got a kayak for the day and it was a great rate. Saw beavers and eagles," reports a camper at Little Pond Campground. Many lakes have boat launches suitable for small watercraft only.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Many sites offer direct water access. At Beaverkill Campground, campers appreciate the natural setting. "For camping not too far from the city it's pretty alright. Right on a little river with a mix of spots out in the open or nicely nestled in the trees," notes one visitor.
Secluded walk-in tent sites: Several campgrounds offer more private options away from RV areas. 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."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Despite being in remote areas, many campgrounds maintain good standards. "Bathrooms are clean and well maintained and even though they ran out of toilet paper, they were fast to refill it," reports a camper who stayed at Beaverkill Campground.
What you should know
Limited or no cell service: Most campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Little Pond Campground, "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."
Bear safety requirements: Food storage rules are strictly enforced in the region. "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," notes one camper about Alder Lake. Most sites require food storage in vehicles or provided bear boxes.
Campground reservation challenges: Some locations have limited booking options. One potential visitor to Hunter Lake Campgrounds observed, "The only way to make a reservation is by calling them (and then apparently you have to mail them a check or money order to reserve your spot!?!)."
Tips for camping with families
Look for shallow water access: Younger children benefit from gentler water entry points. At Russell Brook Campsites, "Our site was massive (39) and had direct access to Russell Brook. Couldn't keep my son out of the water. Very peaceful."
Consider campgrounds with playgrounds: Some facilities include play areas. "The farm, playground, beach, and shallow river make it a great, easy entry point for new and younger campers," mentions a visitor at Roscoe Campsites.
Choose sites away from riverbanks during spring melt: Water levels can rise unpredictably. A camper at Woodland Valley noted, "The campground is located on a nice stream (Woodland creek) and has some really nice sites and some really basic sites." Sites closer to water may flood during heavy rains.
Tips from RVers
Narrow access roads limit larger vehicles: Many campgrounds have tight entrances and roads. At Covered Bridge Campsite, "The roads are tight for larger trailers/RVs and some sites are very hard to get into. 20 & 30 amp service available with water at nearly every site."
Limited hookups available: Few full-service sites exist in the area. "No sewers. You can dump nearby at Mongaup State Park if needed," reports an RVer at Covered Bridge Campsite.
Reserve early for level sites: Terrain in the Catskills creates uneven camping pads. At Roscoe Campsites, one RVer mentioned, "Some of the campsites are a bit strange in their layout due to the stream that runs around the grounds and the way the land is." Calling ahead for site specifics is recommended.
