Phoenicia, New York sits in the heart of the Catskill Mountains at around 800 feet elevation, offering campers a moderate climate with cool summer nights typically in the 50s even when days reach the 80s. The region features dense hardwood forests, with maple, oak, and birch trees providing natural shade at many camping areas, particularly useful during summer heat waves that occasionally pass through the region.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access with calm waters. A camper noted, "The lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring. Wish I would have brought my fishing pole."
Hiking on interconnected trails: Alder Lake provides multiple trail options from camp. A visitor shared, "The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk. The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely."
Farm animal viewing: For families, Brookside Campground offers a unique experience with onsite animals. A camper explained, "Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese."
What campers like
Quiet weekday stays: Many sites are significantly less crowded midweek. One visitor at Lake Taghkanic noted, "We went on weekdays which is not crowded. Wal-Mart was 25 minutes from the campsite which make making meals lots simpler."
Platform tent sites: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers elevated tent platforms that protect during rain. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!" explained one camper who experienced rainfall.
Spacious tent-only areas: Country Roads Campground provides dedicated tent camping zones away from RVs. A camper mentioned, "Mainly an RV ground, but they have about 10-15 great tent sites back beyond the RV area. There are water spigots near all the tent sites and they are nice and spread out."
What you should know
Limited bathrooms at some sites: Guests at glamping locations near Phoenicia should prepare for basic facilities. At Osa Trail, campers appreciate the natural setting but access to facilities may be limited.
Weather preparation: The Catskills can experience sudden weather changes. A Nickerson Park camper shared, "It was a last minute decision for us to come here and we were so glad we did. We loved the pool, walking to the creek, and how wonderfully quiet it was most of the time."
Booking requirements: Most popular sites require advance booking, especially for glamping near Phoenicia. As one Whispering Timbers Glamping guest stated, "Whispering Timbers is a new glamping site on the Dyrt, check them out and make sure to leave a review after your stay!"
Tips for camping with families
Choose family-focused campgrounds: Jellystone Park Gardiner caters specifically to families with children. A visitor noted, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Consider weekday visits: Weekend crowds can change the experience dramatically. A camper advised, "This place is great for kids or diverse groups that all want to do different things. It's very family themed and fun for everyone. However, it can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go."
Pack for varying conditions: The Catskills weather can shift suddenly. At Alder Lake, a camper recommended, "We stayed three nights in late October. Grabbed one of the two vehicle accessible campsites along the road which had some very light traffic."
Tips from RVers
Campground size considerations: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers large-rig accommodation but reviews vary. "Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting," reported one RVer.
Site selection matters: When booking RV sites, location within campgrounds affects experience. One Rondout Valley camper advised, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Water quality varies: Water systems differ between campgrounds. A guest noted, "They have many amenities. It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers."
