Monticello camping sits within the Catskill Mountain foothills at elevations between 1,200-1,500 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby New York City. The region features a mix of deciduous forest and river valley terrain with campsites concentrated around the Neversink River watershed. Winter camping options are limited, with most campgrounds operating from May through mid-October.
What to do
Water recreation at Neversink River: Tubing and kayaking options available directly from riverfront campsites at Oakland Valley Campground. "We spent most of early spring at Oakland Valley right on the river... They loved to fish and play in the river, explore the woods and ride bikes around," notes camper Katrina R.
Monument hiking near High Point: Trails with panoramic views accessible from High Point State Park Campground across the New York-New Jersey border. "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake," shares Justin P.
Family water park activities: Multiple swimming options at Jellystone Park Gardiner, including water slides and pools. "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," writes Amanda S.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Direct water access available with spacious sites at several locations. "Nice, family friendly campground with 3 levels to camp at... River level has more primitive bathrooms and some bathrooms with running water. You can camp right next to the river and it has a great view," reports Jeanne-Marie P. about Oakland Valley Campground.
Multiple accommodation options: From tent platforms to cabin rentals at Neversink River Resort for those seeking different comfort levels. "Very friendly staff. The grounds are great. Certain loops/areas definitely better than others. But this space has loads of potential," explains Aliceon W.
Private wooded sites: Secluded camping spots available for those seeking quiet. "I spent two nights camping with my niece and this campground was perfect. The site was maybe a 50-yard walk-in and we barely heard anyone around us and had a real wilderness feel," mentions Justin P. about High Point State Park.
What you should know
Variable noise levels: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours more strictly than others. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," says Jennifer I. about Jellystone Park Gardiner, while others note that some properties have inconsistent noise enforcement.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From primitive to modern across the region. "Bathrooms were far on this loop. There are little foot bridges that you could take to get to the bathroom easier (and closer) but they are set on people's campsites," notes Lori M. about Neversink River Resort.
Site elevation and terrain: Many campsites feature uneven terrain or platforms. "I chose this campsite, 031, based on the photos on the reservation website and boy was I disappointed. We wanted to setup our large tent on the flat gravel driveway and our hammocks and relaxation area on the platform. The photos did not convey the actual steepness of this site!" cautions Dwight D.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activity scheduling: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres offers structured children's programs throughout the summer. "Our 21 month old had the time of his life here! We stayed for 3 nights in June in a rustic cabin... The resorts is decked out with 2 playgrounds, a splash park, kiddie pool, family pool and hot tub," says Sambath T.
Multi-lake options: Several campgrounds provide access to different swimming areas, each with distinct features. "We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake. The slight downside was that we had to drive between the different lakes," explains Justin P.
Family site selection: Request sites away from common areas if seeking quiet. "I really enjoy staying at jelly stone parks, each of them have a great atmosphere with activities for families and kids and this one is no different! Sites are spacious and they are very accommodating with larger groups!" mentions Meag F.
Tips for RVers
Electric hookup availability: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Monticello provide varied electrical options. "We ended up right across the way on E7 & E8 - much better. This loop for tent campers is mixed," notes Lori M. about site selection at Neversink River Resort.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling blocks as many sites feature uneven terrain. "Our truck broke down and they were able to accommodate us for an extra nights stay while it was being fixed. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because the sites were a bit difficult to back into and unlevel," shares David S. about Oakland Valley Campground.
Seasonal access considerations: Kittatinny Campground and most other pet-accommodating RV parks operate on seasonal schedules from April/May through October. "Great campground for all types, many different areas to camp," notes John B. about the variety of camping options available.