Catskill camping near New Kingston sits at elevations between 1,300-2,500 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The region experiences distinct seasons with fall foliage typically peaking in early October. Camping options include both seasonal RV parks with full amenities and more rustic forest campgrounds, most operating from spring through mid-autumn.
What to do
Fishing access: Beaverkill Campground offers direct access to the Beaverkill River, known for trout fishing. "Right on a little river with a mix of spots out in the open or nicely nestled in the trees," notes one camper who appreciates the riverside access.
Lake activities: Swim and fish at Crazy Acres Campground where visitors enjoy both a swimming pool and lake. "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by," reports a family who stayed there with their granddaughter.
Hiking trails: Explore the trail system at Alder Lake, where paths range from easy lake loops to more challenging forest hikes. "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," shares a camper who stayed several nights.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Country Roads Campground earns praise for its well-spaced camping areas. "Beautiful campground. Stayed in The Pines section. Spacious sites. Super friendly and helpful staff," reports one camper who appreciated the layout.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and common areas. "Very clean bathrooms and showers. My site had 30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water," notes a truck camper at Crazy Acres Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful settings available at various campgrounds. "This was a great campground and I am sure they do even more when social distancing is not required. I was very impressed that even though our neighbors were loud, they all respected quiet time at 11pm," shares a Kelly J. about their experience.
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating challenging access roads. At Alder Lake, a visitor notes: "The place is pretty easy to access with paved road the whole way there except for the last 1/2 mile where it is very bumpy. Some might say 4*4 but we made it just fine in our little Camry."
Site privacy varies: Proximity to other campers differs significantly between campgrounds. "My only complaint would be the size of each campsite. Some are larger than others but overall most sites are fairly small and there isn't much privacy between them," explains a camper at Beaverkill Campground.
Seasonal popularity: Many locations become crowded during peak summer weekends. "We arrived early afternoon, which ended up being perfect timing as we could set up everything and catch sunset by the fire," advises a camper who secured a good spot by arriving early.