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Best Tent Camping near Palenville, NY

541 Reviews

Tent campsites in the Catskill Mountains near Palenville, New York range from primitive backcountry sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. Echo Lake offers free dispersed tent camping with multiple sites around the lake, accessible via a hike-in trail. Giant Ledge Primitive Camp provides a more remote backcountry tent camping experience with designated sites along hiking trails. Both areas are situated within protected forest lands, offering tent campers direct access to the region's extensive trail networks.

Most walk-in tent locations require campers to pack in all supplies, as amenities are minimal. Echo Lake tent sites feature basic fire pits but no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. A camper wrote, "There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and one lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake." Giant Ledge sites are truly primitive, with only basic fire rings and occasional rock benches. Bear activity is common throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, as most backcountry tent areas lack waste facilities and require packing out all trash.

The tent camping areas provide excellent access to hiking trails and natural features. Sites at Echo Lake offer lake views and fishing opportunities, though the shoreline can become swampy in warmer months. Giant Ledge provides access to spectacular mountain vistas along the connected trail system. A recent review noted, "This was one of my favorite weekend backpacking trips. Getting a campsite up at the Giant Ledge area is hit or miss, as I only know of two." Tent campers frequently use these locations as bases for exploring the broader Catskill region. During peak summer and fall weekends, backcountry tent sites fill quickly, especially those closest to trailheads or with prime views. Winter camping is possible but requires additional preparation for cold weather conditions.

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Best Tent Sites Near Palenville, New York (35)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Palenville, NY

53 Photos of 35 Palenville Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Palenville, NY

541 Reviews of 35 Palenville Campgrounds

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  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.  Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night.

  • Nicole G.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tolland State Forest Campground

    Great Lakeside Campground

    This 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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Alander Trail Camground — Mount Washington State Forest

    Amazing Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you’re looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy. It’s completely free and it usually isn’t too busy since most people don’t like having to carry all their stuff in that far. You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby

  • K
    May. 27, 2021

    Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground

    Awesome location!

    Shawangunk was SUCH a nice place to stay. So many good things - though a few things to keep in mind when you're booking, too. 

    I definitely recommend trying to get the walk-in (meaning you can't drive to them) sites (8-15) because they're just a little bit more set back and kind of wonderfully wooded all around. 8 & 9 seemed like the star sites, because they're up and away a little bit more than 10-15.

    Here goes:

    The Good:

    • The nicest, most level tent site you'll ever find. So easy to set up, and no worries whatsoever about roots or rocks.
    • Bathrooms and wash area, water access, etc. are all very easily accessible from any campsite
    • Nice new picnic benches
    • Gorgeous area - especially in the walk-in sites (i.e., not car accessible), where you're a little separated from the pavement
    • Holy crap is this the perfect location for exploring the Gunks, Mohonk Preserve, etc. You couldn't be more central to everything that's going on around it.
    • Phenomenal access to a trash can. It's very central and made throwing out dog poop really, really simple.

    The just okay:

    • Campsites are pretty close to a road. It's not particularly busy, but the speed limit is 55 so you do get some pretty decent whooshing sounds while you're trying to sleep.
    • The tent site is literally the only flat part of most campsites. Even our picnic table at site 13 was slightly tilted. Not an issue, really, but it was noticeable.
    • With all the heavy bear traffic signs that were up, I was surprised to see how close bear boxes were to our tents. They seemed to be 1-10 feet away from tents in each campsite. 
    • Take with a slight grain of salt my recommendation of sites 8-15 - 8 & 9 are up a little higher and might be better, but 11-15 are within 50 feet of a wet area, and the bugs in late May were pretty annoying. I'm guessing other sites would have been better, and our hikes were almost bug-less.
    • Campsites are CLOSE together. I was relieved to be in a site we had to walk to, because having the car right there combined with other tents would have been a little claustrophobic. 

    Overall we really did love staying here. It was pretty empty and we were able to have two cars in the parking spots (usually you can only have one in the assigned spot) without putting anyone out. It was full of friendly people and my dog had an awesome time romping through the leaves and people watching. Definitely recommend this site if you're hiking or climbing in the area!

  • Eugene T.
    Aug. 15, 2019

    Jellystone Park Gardiner

    Great for beginners

    The camp is set up in a “blank slate, parking lot” type style, with a big field, center for tent camping or to be used for sports or other activities. There’s a “lazy river” at one side and a small RV village on the other, and tent sites with water or dry tent camping. Restrooms are available with hot and cold running water, showers and toilets.

  • Katherine P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park

    A Cozy Spot

    We stayed here in August 2020.

    This is a really interesting campground that's situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park.  Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope.)

    There's space near the platform that is flat-ish with a picnic and a fire pit.  Some of these are better than others, ours was not that flat, but we made it work. You get a pretty decent view of Rudd Pond, and the sunsets are pretty. There is also a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park. There's a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals.

    The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors. It was close to half full when we were there, and it still felt like a fairly noisy campground, even after quiet hours. 

    My one complaint in these covid times is that compared to the NY-DEC campground we stayed at, I felt that the safety measures were less adhered to here. They had signs asking people to wear masks in the bathroom building, but far fewer people were. I also didn't see the staff do any cleaning of the restrooms while we were there - the paper towels ran out at one point and I had to flag the staff down to get them to go take care of that.  

    Still, I thought it was a really cute place to stay, and I think we would stay here again.

  • Amanda S.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park

    Great price

    This is basic dry camping it is fun but there is no electric or water at the sites o LU in the bathhouse. So if you get a site close the the bathhouse you will have water close by and electricity close. Otherwise it’s dry camping.. the platform sites are great it makes it real easy to set up a tent because of the platform that the tent goes on and the lake is ok. The kids don’t like swimming with fish so we didn’t spend much time at the lake

  • W L.
    Feb. 9, 2022

    Little Pond Campground

    A Park with Tent Camping Options, Great Hiking Trails

    Had 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.

  • Mollie R.
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground

    Simple, modern camping!

    This is a very nice modern campground with great access to amazing hiking and climbing in the area! About half the sites are walk-in and half the sites are drive-up.

    Pros:

    • Communal fire pit and supplied wood
    • Covered communal pavilion with picnic tables, big sinks for washing dishes, and lighting (which shuts off at 9:47PM)
    • Big flat tent bases to set up on
    • A picnic table at each site
    • A "comfort station" for the campsites farther from the main pavilion with bathrooms and big sinks for dish washing
    • No big RVs

    Very minor cons:

    • $3 for a 4 minute shower
    • One parking space per site
    • The music from a party at the neighboring property was audible, but not super loud on a Saturday night (earplugs did the trick) - this wasn't an issue on the Friday or Sunday night I stayed
    • We were assigned our reserved site rather than choosing it
    • A bit expensive without the AAC or Mohonk membership

Guide to Palenville

Tent camping near Palenville, New York typically involves higher-elevation conditions with overnight temperatures dropping 10-15°F lower than daytime highs, even in summer months. The forest floor throughout most Catskill campsites consists of eastern hemlock, sugar maple and beech trees creating dense canopy cover with limited sunlight penetration. Soil conditions range from rocky to rich loam, with some sites experiencing moderate drainage issues during heavy rainfall periods.

What to do

Hiking at Giant Ledge: The primitive camping area connects to challenging hiking trails featuring rock scrambles and vertical sections. A camper noted, "It is a near vertical hike the first mile with 90% or more being over rock gardens. Not some rocks littering the trail. I think the trail used to be a stream or creek. It doesn't wind its way up the mountain, someone picked a side and said 'we go up from here, straight up'" (Caleb J., Giant Ledge Primitive Camp).

Sunset and sunrise viewing: Several overlooks within hiking distance of tent camping areas offer ideal spots for watching the sky. "Best site in Catskills, sunrise and sunset" (Raj T., Giant Ledge Camp Site). Most viewpoints require moderate hiking from campsites, typically 1-2 miles depending on your starting location.

Swimming holes exploration: Multiple natural swimming areas exist within 15-minute drives of Palenville tent camping locations. Plan for cold water temperatures, rarely exceeding 65°F even in mid-summer. Wear appropriate footwear as access points often involve slippery rocks.

What campers like

Secluded lakeside tent sites: Echo Lake offers tent sites surrounding the water with varied privacy levels. "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). We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze" (James A., Echo Lake).

Natural water sources: Some backcountry locations provide access to spring water, though treatment is required. "The spring water source is a short hike back from the campsite, relatively convenient to restock from camp" (John S., Giant Ledge Primitive Camp).

Well-maintained tent platforms: Several established campgrounds feature level, prepared tent areas. "The nicest, most level tent site you'll ever find. So easy to set up, and no worries whatsoever about roots or rocks" (Kelsey R., Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground).

What you should know

Bear activity is consistent: All tent camping sites near Palenville require proper food storage. "Thought I heard bears come through overnight, but may have been a lucid dream. Bear can was undisturbed in the morning" (John S., Giant Ledge Primitive Camp). Most primitive sites lack bear boxes, so bringing bear canisters is essential.

Trail navigation challenges: Some tent sites can be difficult to locate, particularly those off main trails. "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" (Kate, Echo Lake). Yellow tent markers indicate designated camping areas at most primitive sites.

Weather preparedness: Temperature swings of 30°F between day and night occur regularly in this region. Pack additional layers even for summer tent camping trips. Most primitive sites provide no shelter beyond your tent.

Tips for camping with families

Start with established sites: Families new to tent camping in the Catskills should begin at campgrounds with basic amenities. "This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!" (Kate, Echo Lake). Sites with vehicle access make setup and potential weather evacuations easier.

Bring proper footwear: Trails to tent sites often involve rock scrambles and uneven terrain. "It doesn't wind its way up the mountain, someone picked a side and said 'we go up from here, straight up'" (Caleb J., Giant Ledge Primitive Camp). Children need sturdy hiking boots with ankle support.

Consider bug protection: Certain tent camping areas near water develop significant insect populations. "Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray" (Kate, Rustic Lean-To). Sites at higher elevations typically experience fewer insect issues.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Traditional RV camping near Palenville is restricted to a few established campgrounds. Most wilderness tent camping areas prohibit vehicle access. "There are drive-up sites and also walk-in sites. No fire pits at individual campsites, though. Only a group fire pit" (Jackie B., Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground).

Parking constraints: Even at campgrounds that accommodate vehicles, space limitations exist. "One parking space per site" (Mollie R., Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground). Plan accordingly if traveling with multiple vehicles to tent camping locations.

Alternative glamping options: For those seeking tent camping experiences with more comfort, several properties offer prepared sites. "This site feature a fire-pit, wooded platform and picnic table" (Ashley F., Rustic Lean-To). These represent middle ground between primitive tent camping and full RV accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Palenville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Palenville, NY is Echo Lake with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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