The Catskill Mountains near Livingston Manor, New York sit at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 feet, creating distinct camping microclimates throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to 80°F during peak daytime hours. Local campgrounds often experience afternoon thunderstorms during July and August, with rainfall averaging 4-5 inches monthly during camping season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Delaware River provides excellent fishing spots for campers staying at Soaring Eagle Campground. "Nice campground right on the Delaware river great for fisherman, hikers also great for tubing down the Delaware or canoeing," notes reviewer Mike S. The river is known for trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye.
Water recreation: Many campgrounds offer direct river or creek access for swimming, tubing, and kayaking. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," reports one camper about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. Water activities are most popular from June through early September when water temperatures are warmest.
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking trails varying from easy 1-mile lake loops to challenging mountain ascents. "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," mentions Erik C. about Alder Lake. Most trails are accessible May through October, with fall foliage viewing peaking in late September.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at certain campgrounds. "The sites are larger than most campgrounds and well spaced out. I have been there on busy holiday weekends where it was full but still peaceful and private with a great community of campers," reports Nichole P. about Soaring Eagle Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "The bathrooms are clean," notes Kayla about Alder Lake. Another camper at Tri-State RV Park mentions "CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry. Super nice owners."
Family-oriented amenities: Campgrounds with activities for children receive high marks from families. "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was," says Katie B. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. Another reviewer adds, "It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Some campgrounds have drainage issues during rainy periods. At Mountain Top RV Park, one camper advises, "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain."
Seasonal operation: Most rv parks near Livingston Manor, New York operate from May through October, with limited winter availability. Skyway Camping Resort operates from May 1 to October 14, while Thousand Trails Rondout Valley runs from April 1 to November 1.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds are located near major highways, affecting the noise level. "Located just off the highway so lots of vehicle noise 24/7. Sites are on a gravel lot," reports Michael H. about Tri-State RV Park. Another reviewer notes, "you are basically in a old parking lot right below the freeway. Very easy to get on & off the highway but loud highway noise almost all night."
Tips for camping with families
Splash parks and pools: Several campgrounds offer water features specifically designed for children. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, one visitor reports, "Our 21 month old had the time of his life here! The resort is decked out with 2 playgrounds, a splash park, kiddie pool, family pool and hot tub."
Organized activities: Weekend programming can keep children entertained. "They have activities on the weekends with Yogi the mascot such as wagon rides, dance parties, arts n crafts," mentions a Jellystone Park visitor. This campground is particularly noted for its family-friendly atmosphere.
Quiet hours: Campgrounds enforce different quiet time policies. One camper at Jellystone notes, "they are strict with quiet time. maybe a little too strict, once the kids were finally asleep it was quiet time and we were told to basically go to bed too."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: RV parks Livingston Manor, New York area offer different levels of hookups. "The newly upgraded camp infrastructure elevated the stay, providing amenities for comfort and entertainment. The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience," reports Jason G. about Mountain Top RV Park.
Waste collection services: Some campgrounds offer unique services for RVs. Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides "a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it," according to Robert M.
Pull-through access: Accessibility varies between campgrounds. Tri-State RV Park features "Lots of pull through sites," according to one reviewer, making it easier for larger vehicles to navigate. At Skyway Camping Resort, a camper notes it's "Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi" that accommodates various RV sizes.