Olivebridge camping offers diverse options in New York's Catskill Mountains at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. Located near the Ashokan Reservoir, camping sites benefit from proximity to both water recreation and forest hiking trails. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night, making tent camping comfortable with appropriate gear.
What to do
Hiking Kaaterskill Falls: Located about 45 minutes from North-South Lake Campground, this scenic waterfall trail provides spectacular views. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there," writes Brittany W.
Swimming at Blue Hole: The natural swimming area near The Peekamoose Valley provides cooling relief during summer months. One camper noted, "The 'Blue Hole' is amazing and it's quite beautiful to stay right on the creek," though they caution to check for ticks after visiting.
Climbing the Gunks: Rock climbers flock to Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground for world-class climbing. "This is the closest campground to world renowned rock climbing in 'the gunks' and also offers many other outdoor activities including some great hikes and rock scrambles, swimming holes and waterfalls," explains one reviewer.
Stargazing: The limited light pollution makes night sky viewing exceptional, especially from Giant Ledge. "Yes you can camp on top of the mountain. Yes you can make a cap fire. Yes you can star gaze by the views near the camp," shares Ryan, highlighting one of the area's more remote experiences.
What campers like
Large private sites: Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers spacious campsites. According to one camper, "We LOVED our site (site 9). It was absolutely massive! The photo doesn't do it justice. It was set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site!"
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain clean bathrooms and showers. "The ladies that run this campground are absolute queens and were so nice and helpful. The bathrooms were very clean and new and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!!" notes Melanie H. about Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Creekside camping: Many campers appreciate sites adjacent to waterways. At Woodland Valley Campground, "the mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing," according to John N., who adds that disconnecting from cell service enhances the experience.
Camping with dogs: Pet friendly camping near Olivebridge offers several options for those traveling with four-legged companions. "This is a very nice wooded dog friendly camping!" shares Becky G. about Kenneth L Wilson Campground, noting the easy accessibility and great hiking available.
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears regularly visit campsites in the area. One camper at Kenneth L Wilson bluntly titled their review "Got chased off by a bear," though surprisingly still rated the experience 5 stars, noting "the bear was very nice for a bear."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no reception. "No cell service in the campground," notes one Kenneth L Wilson visitor, while another mentions, "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while."
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, especially weekends, campgrounds fill quickly. At North-South Lake, one visitor advises, "Always packed, but always beautiful. Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here."
Primitive camping options: For those seeking budget-friendly options, Giant Ledge Primitive Camp offers free sites but requires hiking in. "It take the average hiker about an hour ish to get to camp/ledge view," according to Ryan, who calls it "the best camp site I ever seen."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family entertainment. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," writes Jennifer I., while another visitor mentions, "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."
Quieter family options: For those seeking a less commercial experience, Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers family amenities without the resort atmosphere. "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities can't wait to go back," shares Richard V.
Pack for variable weather: Even summer nights can get cool, with temperature drops of 20-30 degrees after sunset. Bringing layers helps ensure comfort for children throughout the day.
Wildlife education: Turn wildlife encounters into learning opportunities by researching local animals beforehand. Bringing field guides or wildlife identification apps enhances the experience for children.
Tips from RVers
Limited level sites: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain challenging for larger rigs. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, one RVer noted, "There are only a handful of sites with electric hookups and only one (site 51) is level. Some have a steep descent off the road, and there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs."
Hookup availability: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers full hookup options for RVers. "Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground. Grounds has a pool, concession stand, game room, playgrounds, sports feild and more. Sites are well groomed," explains Robert M.
RV-specific campgrounds: Some properties cater specifically to RVers with appropriately sized sites. As one visitor to Rondout Valley mentioned, "There must be new management because many upgrades have been made over the past year which include all new SWE (full hookups) street lighting, and campground markings/numbering."
Water and waste management: Most state-run campgrounds have limited dump stations that can get busy during checkout times, so plan accordingly.
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