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Best Campgrounds near Palenville, NY

616 Reviews

The Catskill Mountains surrounding Palenville, New York provide a range of camping options from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites. North-South Lake Campground, one of the largest and most popular facilities in the area, offers spacious tent and RV sites with access to two lakes and numerous hiking trails. Several other established campgrounds dot the region, including Devil's Tombstone Campground, Woodland Valley Campground, and Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, which also offers cabin accommodations. Echo Lake represents one of the few dispersed camping opportunities, accessible only by hiking trail.

Most campgrounds in the Catskills operate seasonally, typically from mid-May through mid-October, with North-South Lake and others closing by late October. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly for summer weekends and fall foliage season. The region has active black bear populations, requiring proper food storage and waste management at all camping areas. Cell service is limited or non-existent throughout much of the camping region, particularly at North-South Lake. A camper noted, "There is NO cell service and just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged."

Waterfront camping spots at North-South Lake command particular attention from visitors seeking recreation opportunities. The campground provides beach access, kayak rentals, and swimming during peak season when lifeguards are present. Proximity to notable hiking destinations represents another major draw, with trails to Kaaterskill Falls, Mountain House site, and Newman's Ledge accessible directly from some campgrounds. Several visitors mentioned the family-friendly atmosphere at many campgrounds, with one review highlighting that "This is a great spot for young kids" despite the strict enforcement of quiet hours from 10pm to 7am. Tent campers particularly appreciate the shaded, private sites available throughout the region's campgrounds, though some note that RV sites with hookups can be more limited and closer together.

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Best Camping Sites Near Palenville, New York (169)

    1. North-South Lake Campground

    43 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 589-5058

    $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."

    2. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds

    16 Reviews
    Saugerties, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 246-8334

    "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."

    3. Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shokan, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 679-7020

    $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"

    4. Devil's Tombstone Campground

    10 Reviews
    Elka Park, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 688-7160

    $16 / night

    "this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"

    "It was close to trails and town"

    5. Whip O Will Campsites

    7 Reviews
    Round Top, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 622-3277

    $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."

    6. Woodland Valley Campground — DEC

    29 Reviews
    Phoenicia, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 688-7647

    $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. "

    7. Brookside Campground

    6 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 678-9729

    "The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."

    8. Blue Mountain Reservation

    4 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5275

    "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."

    9. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ancramdale, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 851-3631

    $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."

    10. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 652-7365

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Palenville, NY

1168 Photos of 169 Palenville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Palenville, NY

616 Reviews of 169 Palenville Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Osa Trail

    Gorgeous Views

    Had a great time here with my wife and 2 little kids and our dog.  One of the most beautiful sunrises we've ever seen!  Very secluded, though Alex is right down the driveway so didn't feel like the middle of nowhere.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Great staff but back-to-back campsite

    We stayed a coupe of days in Oct. This is a beautiful site to camp out. The staffs are friendly and very attentive.
    Bathroom and water pressure was ok. But one shower location for 50 campsites. Three small showers units and three toilet.
    I never stayed a state campsite where the sites are so close each other. If you like a “normal” distance to your neighbors, I'd not recommend this place.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    New York City North-Newburgh KOA

    Good amenities and fun experience!

    Campsites Great campsites, wooded and cozy, though a little tight for longer rigs as our neighbors found out when they ran over a wooden post backing in. But spaced apart nicely with lots of vegetation between. Nice and level. Amenities Bathrooms are older and need of some repair but let me tell you I was very happy to see a normal shower head with real hot water! So no complaints here. Laundry facilities were clean and open 24/7 with reasonable prices 2.50/2.00 washer/dryer. And the dryers actually worked. Small dog park, communal spaces, and a camp store all made the place feel like a little village. They even have a wine store- cab sav was good. WiFi I work remotely and WiFi is always an issue. We have Starlink but in a wooded campsite, connecting is an issue but luckily their WiFi was great. Had no issues and could stream just fine. Halloween! We visited mid October and folks had sites decorated and the KOA has trick or treating and other activities every weekend in Oct. we were SO bummed to be leaving on a Friday and miss the festivities because it looked really fun. Would definitely go back. Also, staff was super nice.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brookside Campground

    Not a recreational campsite

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available on Google and Dyrt. However, when we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time. Just not the vibe I’m going for. We decided to leave without staying. We called to see if we could get a refund and they were very kind and it wasn’t a problem. But just be warned… this is not a recreational campsite.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Average

    We stayed one night in late September without a reservation. Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers. We’re from out of state and paid about $23 for a tent site which was reasonable for the facilities.

  • S
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sylvan Lake Beach Park

    Great Beach Lake for summer swimming and Boating

    This is an old campground, but is quite quaint. Reminds me of lake camping that I grew up with. Hosts are very nice and helpful. This is more of a seasonal camping site. Do not follow your GPS directions. Get directions from the campground staff.

Guide to Palenville

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.

What to do

  • Hiking: The area is known for its scenic trails. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking options, like Kaaterskill Falls, which is described as "short, easy trail" but can get crowded quickly.
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, the Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds has two private lakes and a river where you can cast your line. One reviewer mentioned, "You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river."
  • Kayaking and Canoeing: At Little Pond - DEC, you can rent kayaks and canoes. A visitor noted, "There’s a nice little loop trail around the lake," making it perfect for a day of paddling.

What campers like

  • Natural Beauty: Campers rave about the stunning views and peaceful surroundings. One camper at North-South Lake Campground said, "The Catskills are very scenic, and we enjoyed our time there!"
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a good amount of space between them. A reviewer at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "Each of the campsites in our loop has a lot of foliage around it, creating privacy."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner have tons of activities for kids. One parent shared, "This place is so much fun. My whole family loved the activities."

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Woodland Valley Campground - DEC noted, "No cell service anywhere close, so you may be stuck driving around for a while looking for some."
  • Restroom Conditions: Some campgrounds have older facilities. A camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park described the bathrooms as "very old and very clean," indicating they might not be the most modern.
  • Crowded on Weekends: If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the week. A camper at Woodland Valley Campground - DEC mentioned, "If you want a smidgen of privacy or quiet, go during the week."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids, like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner, which has a water park and playgrounds. One reviewer said, "Kids were at the playground 8 am or before, and the noise woke us up."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food and snacks, as some campgrounds don’t have markets nearby. A camper at North-South Lake Campground noted, "There is NO market."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring gear for fishing, hiking, or swimming. A visitor at Little Pond - DEC mentioned, "There are picnic tables and room to park at your site."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds said, "We were assured that it would fit. It did—technically."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A reviewer at Taconic State Park mentioned, "Sites are a little close together for my liking."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need amenities, check for campgrounds with full hookups. A camper at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park appreciated the "plenty of water pressure with grey water hookups."

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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