Mountainville RV campgrounds sit along the Catskill foothills, with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons, with fall temperatures averaging 45-65°F during popular camping months of September and October. Most RV sites in the area require advance booking from July through October when fall foliage attracts weekend travelers.
What to do
Hiking at Beaver Pond: Located within Harriman State Park, this campground connects to numerous hiking trails including segments of the Appalachian Trail. The area features historic Revolutionary War-era trails dating to the 1770s. "Very nice and clean. Nice pool, this is a good family campground for kids. It large with nice size sites," notes Ron H. about nearby Skyway Camping Resort.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Mountainville host diverse wildlife, particularly in the mornings and evenings. "The best part was at dusk when the animals came out!" writes Wyndie G. about her experience at Black Bear RV Park. Keep food secured as bears are active in the region.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds offer pond or lake access for summer activities. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," shares Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. Many lakes in the area permit fishing with proper New York state licenses.
What campers like
Seasonal viewing: Fall foliage creates spectacular views throughout the region from mid-September through October. "Beautiful campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was," reports Katie B. about her stay at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Tent platforms: Multiple campgrounds offer raised platforms for tent camping, providing better drainage during wet weather. "Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms," explains Katherine P. about Taconic State Park's Rudd Pond Area.
Natural water features: Creeks, ponds and lakes enhance many camping experiences in the region. "The gem is the beautiful grounds, river, and parklike setting. Lots of wildlife around," writes Jeff about Tri-State RV Park, noting the Delaware River access.
What you should know
Campground occupancy patterns: Weekdays offer significantly more availability and quieter camping compared to weekends. "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" advises a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground bathroom quality differs dramatically throughout the region. "New bath house with multiple shower rooms," notes Lisa S. about Rudd Pond Area, while others report older facilities elsewhere.
Winter camping limitations: While several campgrounds remain open year-round, water systems may be winterized. "At least we had a place to park for the night, and power, but unfortunately it was very overpriced for what we got," explains Gabbie Y. about her off-season stay when water wasn't available.
Tips for camping with families
Animal interaction opportunities: Several campgrounds offer chances for children to interact with farm animals. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," shares Faith D. from her experience at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds offer supervised swimming areas during summer months. "Clean and beautiful beach. Great hikes. The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite," explains Courtney D. about Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Indoor activities for rainy days: Some facilities provide indoor recreation spaces for inclement weather. "They have a small playground that would be better suited for older children, and there's also a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games," reports a camper from Mountain Top RV Park.
Tips from RVers
City access considerations: For those wanting to combine camping with city visits, several campgrounds offer transit connections. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll," advises Joe R. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Site spacing awareness: RV sites range from spacious to extremely close quarters depending on the campground. "Sites are on a gravel lot. Restrooms are clean. Not much else to say about this CG, is just a parking lot with hookups," reports Michael H. about Tri-State RV Park.
Seasonal infrastructure limitations: Campground utilities may be limited during shoulder seasons. "We had to come to the area kind of last minute, and they were very accommodating! 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," warns a camper about Mountain Top RV Park.
