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.
$17 - $195 / night
"Great beach, 5 minute drive from campgound. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten.
One caveat: beware of site G006."
"Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins. Small store in park that sells firewood and ice and a few other things you may need."
"This is a Thousand trails campground so it was free. I think the regular price is $64. Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground."
"While I don't have other TT campgrounds to compare this to, I do have a lot of experience in state parks and private campgrounds. If you are looking for an RV resort-type place, this isn't it."
"Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff."
$17 - $20 / night
"Camper van off the grid. Large site with privacy, but not many campers early season New bath house with multiple shower rooms. Wonderful hiking trails. Pond for fishing & swimming."
"This is a really interesting campground that's situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park. "
$46 - $60 / night
"It took me a while to identify a campground that was convenient for exploring the Hyde Park area, in particular the FDR National Historic Site (20-30 minutes away) and the Walkway over the Hudson, but"
"Lots of pretty lots under the shade. Good for Families. Pool. Recreation Barn. Recycling. Some people stay here all summer. Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
$60 - $100 / night
"Treetopia is a unique and truly amazing camping/Glamping experience in the Catskills, New York!"
$22 - $44 / night
"Gorgeous campgrounds, friendly staff, and spectacular facilities. Loved that trailheads are walking distance from the sites."
"Beach areas look family friendly. We had our 26ft travel trailer boondocked at 049. Tight squeeze, but we made it. Close hiking to Kaaterskills Falls. Can't wait to visit next year!"
"Our site was back-in and had plenty of space. There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river. We were next to a little fenced in area for dogs that our dog loved."
"Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. Friendly people. A perfect campground."
LegendThis is a HUGE Jellystone park in upstate NY. There are literally hundreds of cabins and RV sites. We are in site 136, which is a back in spot. Plenty of room between campers. Gravel spot which is pretty level. Full hookups. Picnic table, cable, fire ring, large camp store, showers, toilets, and full laundry area. Also has playgrounds, pillow jump, fishing pond, golf carts, game room, Waterpark, pool, and tennis courts. All of this nestled into the mountains. Nice and family friendly.
LegendWe stayed at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort along the Walllkill River in Gardiner, NY, for a four-night chill-out vacation. We’re so glad we did!
Our site was called Riverfront Red Carpet. It was spacious, level, waterfront, and partially shaded thanks to some mature trees. Site#22 included a large concrete pad, picnic table, charcoal grill, and large fire ring. Everything was in great condition. It was nice having plenty of space to not be on top of our neighbors. We had full hookups with 50-amp electrical service- which all worked fine.
The entire park seemed to be well maintained and clean. There’s a small waterpark which seemed good for younger kids, an eatery, and ice cream shop. The camp store was well-stocked with food, camping supplies, and souvenirs. There is a game room and multiple bath houses(which we didn’t use). The park’s roadways are all paved and easy to navigate. Despite being nearly filled to capacity including tons of young children, the park was quiet each night with no noisy ‘bad campers.’
We found our interactions with the staff to be helpful and attentive. We really appreciate friendly staff.
Overall, this was a great stay at a great RV park. I’d only mention two negatives, neither was a big deal. It took 45-minutes to check-in. In fairness, we arrived at check-in time(3:00 PM) on a Sunday. There were a dozen other RVs checking in at the same time and they just weren’t equipped for that. Also, our Verizon cell service was practically non-existent and the park’s wifi service was just as horrible. If we needed connectivity, this would have been a major problem. I reduced a star in my review simply because it’s 2021 and wifi has become an expectation.
We booked on campspot.com and paid$196 per night+$35 to lock our site+$2 booking fee less a 20% promo discount.
GuideLocated in the Catskills. This is a family friendly there’s bathrooms/showers playground, pool, potable water and a outdoor pavilion. Located near hiking in the Catskills and 15 mins to Woodstock.
The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent. When it rains theres a horrible smell across the campground.
RangerHad a great summer camping weekend at Little Pond.
Pros:
- Near wonderful, little-used hiking trails - challenging ones, too!
- Close to Catskill town options to explore, e.g. Livingston Manor
- picnic table and room to park at your site
- there is a dump station and recycling center.
- Clean bathrooms and shower facilities
- Nice tent sites with well-maintained fire pits (have rack for grilling over coals, very large fire pits, sturdy)
- payphone near entrance/park ranger's office
- firewood for sale at ranger's office
-wildlife: hummingbirds on the path around Little Pond, frogs, deer, birds
- foraging: plaintain, raspberries near camp, blueberries and huckleberries on hike
- views on hike
- ruins on hike
Cons
- no cell service, however, if you hike to a mountain top can have fun joking with those you call about that's what it took to be able to get a signal and be in touch with them :-)
- weekend around the lake is more like a park with day-trippers, as opposed to serene wilderness/lakeside camping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a high school group (on Satuday?) there that made it feel more like a family/public place than a wilderness getaway. The hiking, however, more than made up for it. The trail we took to get to the top and, at last, have cell phone service and AWESOME views more than made up for that.
The Park Rangers were helpful and unobtrusive. They drove their carts around periodically but not like they were hovering in any one spot or making trouble for anyone.
We like visiting the nearby towns and breweries. It was a wondrful weekend. They have some tent sites right on the lake for hike-ins. If you drive, you have to carry all your stuff for awhile before you get to yourcamp site. However, these are right on the lake in supreme spots, even with "old school" outhouses a stone's throw away.
I recommend Little Pond for a weekend. If you stay longer, be sure to check out the surrounding area. We stayed at campsite 2, which was ok, but not on the lake. Go for a site on the lake, even if you have to carry your stuff to set up, it was breathtaking in the morning to see the mist rising off the lake.
From the park:
Campground Phone:(845) 439-5480 Regional Office Phone:(607) 652-2032 Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Little Pond is a quiet picturesque campground located in the Catskill Forest Preserve which offers a leisurely hiking trail around a 13-acre pond, and the opportunity to venture along trails leading to the ruins of an old farm or enjoy breathtaking views atop the Touchmenot Mountains.
The campgrounds, beach, boat rental, and Junior Naturalist Program offers fun for all ages; and for the primitive camper, we offer remote sites on the back side of the pond. Little Pond is located minutes from Beaverkill, a world renowned fly fishing stream. Amenities = 67 tent and trailer sites; 8"remote" tent sites; picnic area with tables, grills, or fireplaces; pavilion rental; playground; volleyball; horseshoes; soccer; basketball; ice sales; firewood sales; flush toilets; hot showers; trailer dump station; recycling center; sand beach; boat launch; rowboat, paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals.
The campground offers accessible campsites with a mile long trail around the pond. A newly constructed ADA fishing platform is at the end of the trail near the day use area. There is also a new ADA path to the beach. Full listing of DEC's Accessible Recreation Destinations. Campsite Restoration Project This campground has sites that have been selected for restoration. While undergoing restoration the chosen sites will be closed. For the list of sites and more information on the project visit the Campsite Restoration Project page. People using the accessible trail at Little Pond Featured Activities boating Boating No motor boats allowed. Rowboats and canoes allowed. Rowboat, paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals available. fishing Fishing A variety of pan fish.
The Beaverkill, renowned fly fishing stream, is with minutes from the campground. The Pepacton Reservoir is also close by. A special permit is needed to fish in this reservoir and can be obtained from the city of New York Board of Water Supply. Record sized brown trout and smallmouth bass have been caught in the reservoir. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
Hiking Trailheads for both the campground trail and Little Pond trail are located within the campground. These trails connect the campground to the 33 miles of foot trails located on the 27,000+ acre Delaware Wild Forest, which boarders the campground to the north. swimming
Wildlife to Watch: White-tailed deer Wild turkeys Bald eagles Bears Coyotes Foxes
Historic Interest: The campground was constructed between 1965 and 1968. It opened for camping in 1968 with 67 sites; the picnic area and the beach in 1968. The 8 remote sites were added at a later date. The shower house was constructed in 1984. In celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the Forest Preserve in July 1985, a time capsule was buried in the campground. This capsule, containing the names of the persons camping in the campground at that time, was entombed in the base of a stone monument located in front of the facility supervisor's office. The capsule is scheduled to be opened on the 200th anniversary of the Forest Preserve.
GuideI’ve yet to have a bad experience at a state park. They are always better maintained and are typically more beautiful and interactive than national park campgrounds and even most RV parks.
The sites are amongst the most spacious I’ve ever seen. RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity. There are several hiking trails, a bike trail, a really awesome playground, boat dock, and lots of picnicking.
The bathrooms are clean. The showers are large, but they do operate on a push system where you can’t adjust the pressure, temp, or how long the water comes out, so just be aware of that. Lots of water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out. Two different book exchanges. Mostly filled with Danielle Steele, which is not my preference, but maybe someone will spice it up in the future.
ATT and Verizon fluctuate between 1-3 bars. It was enough for me to work - downloading files, sending emails, and conducting non-video zoom calls. At night we were able to stream with just a little buffering needed throughout.
Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog. Be sure to bring your dogs rabies records!! They don’t let you in with just the tag, it has to be the paper records. We’re full time so not a problem as it’s always with me, but they are very strict on rabies requirements
Definitely recommend.
GuideMy first visit to New York state was amazing, largely in part due to my campsite at the Woodland Hills campground. I had a back in site and was having problems with my camper, and they were able to change to a pull through at time of check in. However, it was in early May and before the summer crowds. The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom. Very nice bathrooms and showers, and my dog loved the dog park.
GuideWe threatened a Jellystone stop for years, and finally made it happen. Great place for kids and staff runs a great park. Its crowded, loud and in constant movement but as expected. Sites here are pretty spread out and it’s big rig friendly with some level concrete pads which is a huge bonus. Park is doing a great job with COVID in the common areas. Not our normal type spot but definitely worth it to break up our 2 month road trip. Safe travels all!
ScoutGorgeous campgrounds, friendly staff, and spectacular facilities. Loved that trailheads are walking distance from the sites. But we felt very close to campers next to us, not a lot of shrubbery between sites to feel somewhat private. Fire pits are very nice but more catered to cooking instead of being able to sit around in a circle. Also, we picked a site hoping we’d have a nice view of the lake but it’s hard to see from the site and a good walk away. Overall, beautiful grounds but I’d take less facilities to have a more “woodsy” vibe but that’s just my preference!
TravelerNice quiet campsite. The majority of the trailer/RV's here are seasonal people. Under new ownership (very nice young couple) as of August 2021 and they plan to make many upgrades to the campground. The roads are tight for larger trailers/RV's and some sites are very hard to get into. 20 & 30 amp service available with water at nearly every site. No sewers. You can dump nearby at Mongaup State Park if needed. The tent camping spots are very nice and very secluded. Very limited cell service on site. WiFi only near the campsite office.
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