Palenville is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Palenville, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$22 - $44 / night
"Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home."
"Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer."
"You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river but to do the river you’ll need a New York State fishing license."
"I was a little skeptical that we wouldn’t get to choose our site, but you can’t go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated. The campground is centrally located you many things to do."
$22 / night
"This campground is nestled in the Catskills, New York, with easy access to New Jersey and Connecticut."
"Access to fresh water spouts and clean bathrooms were just a walk away from most sites, theres a beautiful pond on site and beautiful views of the Catskills, Woodstock is a 15 min drive if you’re looking"
$16 / night
"this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"
"It was close to trails and town"
$33 - $113 / night
"From it bathrooms to its pool to its general store , playground , basketball courts , bocceball, 7 acre lake and 2 miles of walkable runable paths , Ted & Angela do a fantastic job of keeping the place"
"It had a little arcade, a nice lake, and playground."
$20 / night
"water to play in right behind tent. I do prefer fire pits over the brick stove. this had the stove. more advanced hiking in walking distance. no cell service. my gps on phone was able to track though."
"Close to Woodstock, NY, many trails and other attractions. You need to plan for it, there's a lot to explore; some trails are challenging. "
"I went here with my friend and we were using it as our base camp as we went out in trails in the eastern Catskills notably the Devils Path, echo lake, etc."
"Nice little campground with lake sites. The Northville Placed Trail comes out in this campground. The showers were clean and plenty of pressure."
"The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."
$17 - $195 / night
"The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
"We decided on Lake Taghkanic. Lake Taghkanic State Park was not a long drive from NYC, maybe 2 hours. The campsite was very clean and maintained."
"There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake. The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees. "
"Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots."
TravelerNice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff.
TravelerWell maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups.
TravelerThis was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.
The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.
GuideI didn’t hate this campground, but I won’t be going back.
It’s a nice campground and perfect for single/family camping. I would not choose this location if I were taking a group of people. The sites are on the smaller side and many have slanted entrances.
The campground is kept clean and the bathrooms were tidy. The campground is in bear country so you have to be mindful about leaving food out when you’re not at the site or asleep.
There is a pond and there’s kayaks, canoes, etc for rent. The beach area is clean and the water is clear. I was there middle of August and the water was not cold and quite comfortable. There are some water front sites that you can use to access the water with a boat or paddle board.
Cell service is non existent and they have a pay phone near the entrance booth where you can use to make/receive phone calls. It’s a 20 min drive back into town to get cell service. That’s a non- starter for me. It would be beneficial if they had service near the entrance at least for people to check in with Family.
TravelerThe owner of this campground really cares about her job and making sure each and every camper has a great experience. I have a very large tent but was able to fit it on my site. The site was slightly slanted but that did help with drainage when we had torrential downpours the last 24 hours we were there. There seems to be a lot of seasonal campers but they were so friendly. The bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great. The pool was cold, but really nice and again very clean. I loved that they deliver firewood to your site when you purchase from them. And again, I can’t say enough about the owner. She welcomed me with open arms when I arrived and I can tell she takes a lot of pride in her job and in her campground. I do hope to return again.
TravelerI just arrived at this location and it is filled with trash. Do NOT book here. There are houses right behind and it’s just off the side of a dirt road. The river isn’t even visible.
TravelerJuly 2025. We stayed in site #36. It had plenty of room for our 4 person tent, kitchen tent and car. The ground was all gravel to took some time to remove the bigger ones from under the tent. The sites were close to each other but enough vegetation around to have a little privacy. The bath house was great. Four private shower rooms (2 for men, 2 for women). They also had outdoor showers and a dish washing station. There was also an information area. Staff cleaned daily. There were many hiking trails. The loop took us to the top where there was a beautiful view. We will be coming back.
ScoutFoothills is a great choice for families or groups of friends who want to immerse themselves in nature with many gentle amenities and relaxing spaces.
TravelerThis is my second time I visited the park, the first time was 4 years ago and we stayed in a cabin, but a few weeks ago we decided to stay in a tent side and it was a nice experience except for some things, the campers don't respect the quiet time at night and morning too. A lot noises until 2 am and early from 6 am. But the worst experience was bathrooms, very few for the number of sites and people it covers. They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed. The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water, some had no paper, hairs everywhere, the toilets didn't work, and super dirty, the truth was a disgusting thing that didn't encourage to use them but there was no other option. For the price you pay is not for having the bathrooms under those conditions. I hope you get better because the truth is a park that has many things to have a good time but with the bathrooms with that condition, is not encouraged to reserve again. And please add more shadows in the areas of the tents and MORE BATHROOMS, is not enough to cover all the tents area.
Camping near Palenville, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're a tent camper or an RVer, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from that cater to different needs and preferences.
Camping near Palenville, New York, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping options near Palenville, NY?
Palenville offers excellent camping options in the heart of the Catskills. North-South Lake Campground is one of the largest public campgrounds in the area with well-spaced sites perfect for families, featuring a huge lake and an ice cream truck that visits during summer evenings. For a unique experience, Treetopia Campground provides a mix of RV sites, yurts, and custom accommodations for a special glamping experience. Other notable options include Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds with private lakes for fishing, and Devil's Tombstone for a more rustic experience. Most campgrounds in the area offer fire rings and picnic tables at each site.
When is the best season to camp in Palenville?
Late spring through early fall offers the best camping experience in Palenville, with summer being the peak season. For fewer crowds, consider camping in May or September. Phoenicia Black Bear Campground is ideally situated for various activities throughout the warmer months, with their creek-front sites being particularly popular. Spacious Skies Woodland Hills can provide a wonderful experience even in early May, before the summer crowds arrive. Weather can be unpredictable, as seen with occasional storms, so check forecasts before your trip. Avoid holiday weekends if possible, as campgrounds like North-South Lake tend to get crowded during these times.
What hiking trails are accessible from Palenville campgrounds?
The Palenville area is a hiker's paradise with numerous trails accessible from nearby campgrounds. Little Pond Campground provides access to wonderful, challenging, and relatively uncrowded hiking trails while also being close to Catskill town options like Livingston Manor. Devil's Tombstone Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring trails in the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness. The region offers everything from gentle nature walks around lakes to challenging mountain ascents with spectacular views of the Catskills. Many trails connect to the extensive network of paths in the Catskill Forest Preserve, providing options for day hikes or longer backpacking adventures.
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