Dog-Friendly Camping near Margaretville, NY

Pet-friendly campgrounds near Margaretville range from established DEC facilities to primitive hike-in sites across the western Catskills. The region sits at elevations between 1,300-4,000 feet with campgrounds often nestled along streams and lakes. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during days and 55-60°F overnight, with rainfall frequent even during summer months.

What to do

Hiking to elevated views: Giant Ledge Primitive Camp connects to challenging trail systems leading to panoramic Catskill vistas. "The site we chose is around the back of the pond and you have to hike in to get to it. As such each site has a pit toilet which was interesting," notes Greg C. from Little Pond Campground.

Fishing opportunities: The Beaverkill River provides access to trout fishing. "Our site was on the Beaverkill River and provided a nice tranquil sound. We even had a resident chipmunk who was a blast to see running around looking for crumbs," reports Luke S. from Beaverkill Campground.

Water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming and boating options. "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," shares Giselle P. about Little Pond.

What campers like

Creek access sites: Multiple campgrounds feature sites positioned along waterways. "We had a walk in site and it was fantastic! Right on the water and pretty private. Each walk in site has its own bear box and outhouse," explains Lauren S. about Woodland Valley Campground.

Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Got a kayak for the day and it was a great rate. Saw beavers and eagles," notes Lauren S. about Little Pond Campground. At Peekamoose Valley, campers report hearing only "noise from the river and animals in the forest" at night.

Site privacy: Many campgrounds offer secluded options. "The site next to mine (37) is possibly the most private of the pond side sites. The only people who would go past your site are the folks walking to the walk-in only sites," explains Mike C. from Little Pond Campground.

What you should know

Bear safety requirements: All camping in this region requires proper food storage. "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," warns Giselle P. about Little Pond. At Giant Ledge Primitive Camp, Ryan notes you can camp but should be prepared for wildlife encounters.

Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal to no connectivity. "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," explains Giselle P. about Little Pond.

Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance bookings during peak season. The free primitive sites like Allaben Campground operate on first-come, first-served basis. "Will fill up on weekends. Short walk to all campsites," warns Dan D.

Tips for camping with families

Day use facilities: Several campgrounds offer recreation areas even for non-campers. "What could be a great campground only gets three stars due to the amount of day use people," notes Michael G. about Little Pond, indicating families have options beyond overnight stays.

Bathroom access considerations: Families should check facility placement before booking. "The bathrooms were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper," reports C.R. about Kenneth L. Wilson Campground, adding "the showers were not by the bathrooms and there was only one shower house very far from the campsites."

Site selection for privacy: For quieter family experiences, select sites away from main paths. "Site #6 is directly on the path, so people camping past you need to actually walk through your site," warns Guy M. about camping at The Peekamoose Valley.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Few campgrounds offer full RV amenities. At Kenneth L. Wilson, Katherine P. notes: "We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at this site from July 24-26 2020, at site 58 on Loop C. It was almost completely full that weekend, with a bit of coming and going."

Road access challenges: Some campground access roads present difficulties for larger vehicles. "The long, narrow, and winding road from Route 28 to Woodland Valley campground should not keep you from camping there!" encourages Gary G., though this indicates potential challenges for larger RVs.

Site terrain considerations: Many sites have uneven terrain. At Alder Lake, SJ W. shares: "Was not the easiest for my RV van to get up the hill with the ruts, but I have a small lift so it helps, lower clearance vans might not make it."