180 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Philmont, New York spans full-service campgrounds with RV hookups and cabin rentals to more rustic tent camping in the Catskill Mountains. Sites like Copake Falls at Taconic State Park, Lake Taghkanic State Park, and North-South Lake Campground offer tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Many campgrounds in this region provide glamping options alongside traditional camping, creating a mix of camping styles within relatively close proximity. The terrain varies from lakeside settings to more wooded, mountainous areas with varying degrees of privacy between campsites.
Seasonal operation is a key consideration when planning camping trips in the Philmont area, as most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October. "Temperatures in higher elevations remain cool even in summer, and the Catskills are very scenic," noted one visitor who camped in the region. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays when facilities reach capacity quickly. Cell phone coverage can be limited or non-existent at many campgrounds, particularly those deeper in the Catskill Mountains. Winter camping options are severely restricted, with most facilities closing completely after the fall foliage season ends.
Lakefront and riverside camping locations receive particularly strong reviews from campers visiting the Philmont area. Visitors frequently mention the proximity to hiking trails as a significant advantage, with many campgrounds offering direct access to trailheads. Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, and boat rentals. A camper at North-South Lake noted, "The sites are spacious and private and there are lake side sites available too. Perfect for groups!" While some campgrounds offer quiet, secluded experiences, others report occasional noise from nearby roads. Wildlife sightings, including bears, are reported at several campgrounds, necessitating proper food storage in the provided bear boxes or lockers at many sites.
"I'm use to the rough and tough it of backpacking the AT Trail so this place had quite a few amenities I am not use to! Haha."
"It wasn't too busy when we went- we got there on a Friday night around 6pm and were able to get a spot. There are also some fun activities within the campground, and things nearby."
from $17 - $175 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $21 - $195 / night
Check Availability"The park ensures you’ll have what you need with stores within close proximity and the staff even offers ice and firewood delivery to your site."
"Wonderful hikes and beautiful walks. Boat docks looked pretty easy for ins and outs, and the pavilions were huge!"
from $17 - $26 / night
Check Availability"My first visit to New York state was amazing, largely in part due to my campsite at the Woodland Hills campground."
"The staff was helpful, the site was pretty and there are so many places to hike and the best of the Berkshires so close by."
from $29 - $999 / night
Check Availability"We have plans to return with friends due to the proximity to home and easy access to local things to do."
from $79 - $229 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The campsite was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside. I did see the electrical station at the entrance but the sound didn’t reach where I was staying at site 33."
"Some of the sites are very visible and a few are tucked away into the woods with privacy. Most are pretty close to their neighbors."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"We love going here for the activites and it is close by!! Check it out...you won't be disappointed"
"Good location. Close to Hudson River and Albany."
from $275 - $395 / night
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ScoutWhite Pines made a really good home base for our trip. We spent most of the days checking out different spots around northwest Connecticut and came back here in the evenings. Made dinner outside, had a fire, and just relaxed. The campground itself had everything we needed without having to make a bunch of extra trips into town.
ScoutWe brought our camper up for the weekend and the kids immediately wanted to go to the pool.😂 They also loved the fishing pond and exploring around the campground. There was plenty to keep them busy while we got some actual downtime.
TravelerThis is a quick and easy pull off that is large enough to accommodate most vehicles. Only con which wasn’t that big of an issue was that you are close to the road, so any vehicles going by which wasn’t many you would hear. Besides that you are in dark and quiet state forest. I would recommend this to someone for a quick overnight stay rather than an extended stay.
ScoutOne thing I really liked was having wifi when we needed it. Nice to be able to check in on work and then put the phone away and enjoy the rest of the day.
ScoutNice campground with a good mix of activities. We went fishing one morning, spent the afternoon at the pool and had a fire that night. Pretty much a perfect camping day.
GuideMade a reservation (site44) since I arrived as the sun had set. Office registration was open until 8. Staff was neither friendly nor unfriendly. Bathroom was dated but fine and a short walk from my site. CG was emptier being a Tuesday night in mid-October, so was plenty of space.
Great trail following the Hudson River. Beautiful fall colors.
ScoutI stayed here in March 2026 for a night before going snowboarding at Belleayre Mountain. It was in the middle of a snowstorm on a Tuesday night, so I had the whole place to myself, which was nice.
ScoutWe stayed in a cabin and it worked out perfectly for us. Spent the days exploring the area and came back in the evening to cook and hang out. Would definetly do it again.
TravelerA nice wooded campground that was quiet despite being almost full on our Friday night stay.
The site we stayed at (64) had some pretty large roots to drive over and may have been an issue for a low clearance vehicle (we have a Subaru Outback).
The shower / house bathroom combo units weee very clean with hot water and baby changing station.
Dispersed camping opportunities near Philmont, New York are limited, with most camping options concentrated in established campgrounds throughout the Catskill Mountains and surrounding areas. The region has an elevation range of 200-4,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates where valley temperatures can differ significantly from mountain sites. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through mid-October with advance reservations strongly recommended.
Hiking to waterfalls: Copake Falls Area at Taconic State Park provides direct access to Bash Bish Falls via connecting trails. "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful. It was low the first time we visited and we were able to make it to the top of the falls to go swimming and the views were incredible," notes a visitor to Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park.
Kayaking and paddling: Lake Taghkanic State Park offers complimentary watercraft rentals for registered campers. "They offer free paddle board, kayak, pedal boat rentals, and an inflatable water obstacle course," reports a camper who visited Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Stargazing: The Catskills region provides excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. A camper at Lake Taghkanic noted, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Wildlife observation: Schodack Island State Park offers dedicated bird observation blinds. "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," reports a visitor to Schodack Island State Park Campground.
Platform tent sites: Multiple campgrounds offer raised wooden platforms for tent setup, improving camping comfort during wet weather. "The platform sites are great it makes it real easy to set up a tent because of the platform that the tent goes on," explains a visitor to Copake Falls. Another camper at Lake Taghkanic mentions, "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!"
Clean facilities: North-South Lake Campground maintains high-standard bathrooms and common areas. "Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable, bathrooms & beach areas are always clean, & the hiking nearby is fantastic," shares a reviewer at North-South Lake Campground.
Winter access: While most campgrounds close after fall, nearby trails remain accessible for day use. "October Mountain has a beautiful campground... Dogs are welcomed here! Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Highly recommend staying here if you are in the area!" notes a visitor to the nearby Massachusetts facility.
Waterfront options: Multiple campgrounds offer waterfront sites with direct water access. "We had a site on the creek and we went with three little nieces who had a wonderful time," shares a camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Reservation timelines: Prime sites book months in advance, especially waterfront locations. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises a camper at North-South Lake Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Philmont, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Philmont, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 180 campgrounds and RV parks near Philmont, NY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Philmont, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Philmont, NY is Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Philmont, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Philmont, NY.
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