Catskill Forest Preserve campgrounds near Palenville offer a range of camping experiences from 400-4,200 feet in elevation. The area receives approximately 50 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush forests and numerous water features. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with cooler evenings at higher elevations where temperature drops of 15-20°F are common after sunset.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Echo Lake provides primitive camping with fishing access in a remote setting. "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants)," notes James A. who camped at Echo Lake.
Hiking extensive trail networks: Kenneth Wilson Campground serves as an excellent hiking base. "Large campsite, clean facilities, fire pit, friendly and knowledgeable staff. This is an excellent site if you're looking to explore the Slide Mountain Wilderness and a great place to prep if you're planning to go backpacking as well," writes Derek W. about Woodland Valley Campground.
Swimming options: Beyond the beaches at North-South Lake, Lake Taghkanic offers excellent swimming facilities. "Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," shares Perrin M. about the Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Devil's Tombstone offers secluded tent camping despite its small size. "This is hands down one of my favorite NYC escapes! A short drive to these rustic tent-only spots, dog friendly, nice rangers and great trees for hammocks! This is my go-to in the summers," reports Becky G. who frequently camps at Devil's Tombstone Campground.
Water features: Creek-side camping provides natural soundscapes at several campgrounds. "If you like to camp by water, this is the perfect place for you. It has amazing on the water sites you can camp at, plus a stunning view of the Catskills. The hikes are just easy enough for anyone in the family," explains Meike W. about Woodland Valley.
Seasonal weather considerations: Fall camping offers spectacular foliage but requires preparation. "We spent a 3-day weekend tent camping at This site from July 24-26 2020, at site 58 on Loop C. It was almost completely full that weekend, with a bit of coming and going. Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy," reports Katherine P. about Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while," notes John N. about Woodland Valley Campground, while another camper reports, "Cell coverage was good for us to work (att & Verizon)" at Rip Van Winkle.
Site variations: Campsite quality varies significantly even within the same campground. "Some sites are close to the road - site 3 is tucked back, but also in close proximity to pit toilets and the playground," cautions Gavin T. about Devil's Tombstone Campground.
Seasonal crowding: Summer holiday weekends often reach capacity. "Always packed, but always beautiful. Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here," advises Maribeth W. about North-South Lake Campground, suggesting mid-week or shoulder season visits for those seeking solitude.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer specialized recreation for children. "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. about Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Platform tent sites: Some campgrounds offer elevated tent platforms ideal for rainy conditions. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" explains Rosie R. about Lake Taghkanic.
Pet-friendly considerations: Most Catskills campgrounds welcome dogs but require documentation. "NY has some strict requirements about proof of rabies vaccination for dogs, so make sure to read the requirements," advises Sam L. who camped at Devil's Tombstone with pets.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds offers full-hookup sites suitable for larger RVs. "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite. Loved having gated security," notes camper C.O., adding that they stayed eight nights while using the campground as a base for exploring.
Shower facility availability: Access to shower facilities varies between campgrounds. "The showers were not by the bathrooms and there was only one shower house very far from the campsites. The dishwashing station was also not near the campsites but not as far as the showers," reports C.R. about Kenneth L. Wilson Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," shares Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground.
