The North Blenheim region sits at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet in the western Catskills, where streams cut through forested valleys with slopes reaching 30-40% grades. The camping season extends slightly longer at lower elevations near North Blenheim than in the higher peaks, with some dispersed sites remaining accessible into November when snow hasn't accumulated. Water availability varies dramatically depending on rainfall, with some stream-fed sites drying up during late summer droughts.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several trails connect campsites to notable cascades within 20 minutes of North Blenheim. At Max V. Shaul State Park Campground, campers can access nearby falls as one reviewer notes, "there's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose."
Swimming in mountain lakes: The twin lakes at North-South Lake Campground provide popular swimming spots during summer months when water temperatures reach the mid-70s. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," reports one regular visitor.
Creek exploration: Many sites feature direct creek access for wading and exploration. At Woodland Valley Campground, campers enjoy the natural soundtrack: "the mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing."
Stargazing: The limited light pollution around North Blenheim creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. Woodland Valley campers report being able to "see the stars through the canopy - very very enjoyable!"
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Duck Pond Campsite offers secluded pond-front camping with minimal facilities. "The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad. So few people passed by and very unknown quite and we just loved the experience," notes one camper.
Family-friendly amenities: Nickerson Park Campground provides recreational facilities for children. "The pool/water slides were a hit with the kids! Also, the staff come around to pick up your trash bags daily, which was a nice little perk," shares one family.
Modern bathhouses: Several campgrounds have recently upgraded their facilities. At Max V. Shaul State Park, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept. The staff is friendly and helpful, and check the campground regularly so you can feel safe."
Stream-side camping: Multiple reviewers highlight the calming effect of creekside sites. Betty Brook Camp offers this experience, with one camper stating: "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to remote sites can be challenging. One Duck Pond Campsite visitor warns: "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse... Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is spotty throughout the region. Betty Brook Camp is "rather remote, but it is right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
Size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done," advises a local about Betty Brook Camp.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change quickly even in summer. Woodland Valley campers reported: "we got rained out. but it was still an awesome campground. private and just secluded enough. everyone was friendly."
Tips for camping with families
Terraced camping areas: Some campgrounds design their layouts to create natural play spaces. At Nickerson Park, "Groups of sites sit on level terraces stepped down toward the river. The center area of each grouping of sites had a common use area with tether ball, playgrounds, privies, or additional parking."
Activity planning: Country Roads Campground offers organized events for children. "They have special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo," mentions one visitor who camped in the tent area.
Water safety: The streams and ponds have varying depths and currents. Little Lake Campground maintains "lots of wooded sites, and open areas for kids to play. We were impressed by how they didn't cram extra sites into these areas, though there is plenty of room."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds vary in noise levels depending on their location. "This campground is a secret gem. They have new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms. There's a playground, a pavilion, they do fireside jams," reports a Max V. Shaul visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Little Lake Campground offers well-spaced sites for privacy. "Great place that's about 50/50 permanent sites and rentals... the campground is one of the quietest we've ever stayed at, both at night and in the morning."
Hookup quality: Newer electrical systems are available at some locations. Little Lake has "Electric, water, and septic hookups were all modern and in great shape."
Campsite escorts: Some parks provide arrival assistance. Country Roads Campground staff will guide you in: "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel."
Size considerations: Max V. Shaul State Park offers limited spaces for larger rigs. "The Max V. Shaul State Park is small and quiet - only 30 sites here, which are large, flat and sited well apart from each other. No hookups, just a picnic table, firepit."
