Camping sites near Preston Hollow, New York typically remain accessible from mid-May through mid-October, with some facilities closing after the first frost. The region sits at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet, creating cooler temperatures than nearby urban areas. Severe thunderstorms can occur during summer months, requiring campers to monitor weather forecasts and prepare accordingly.
What to do
Hiking access points: North-South Lake Campground connects to numerous trails, including the Catskill Escarpment Trail. "This campsite is by far my favorite in the Catskills! Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable, bathrooms & beach areas are always clean, & the hiking nearby is fantastic. A lot of the hiking nearby is also relatively easy," notes Jessica W.
Swimming opportunities: Many campers value the swimming areas at Thompson's Lake Campground, which offers both beach access and boat rentals. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too and the bathrooms are refurbished! It's absolutely beautiful," shares Sabrina H.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to historical sites in the region. "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," reports Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground receives high marks for site spacing. "The Max V. Shaul State Park is small and quiet - only 30 sites here, which are large, flat and sited well apart from each other," notes Holly R.
Bathroom facilities: Clean bathroom facilities rank highly in camper reviews. "The bath house is clean and modern. $27.50 /night for non-resident," reports Tom S. about Max V. Shaul State Park. Another camper adds, "Great campsite, cleanest facilities ever! Good adjustable campfire cooking rack."
Family-friendly amenities: Nickerson Park Campground offers numerous activities for families. "Groups of sites sit on level terraces stepped down toward the river. The center area of each grouping of sites had a common use area with tether ball, playgrounds, privies, or additional parking... The pool/water slides were a hit with the kids!" writes Sarah S.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from May through early October, with specific opening and closing dates varying. "May 19 to October 22" is the season for North-South Lake Campground, while Max V. Shaul State Park operates "May 19 to October 10."
Pet requirements: New York State parks enforce strict documentation requirements for pets. "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" warns Kara W. at Schodack Island State Park.
Technology limitations: Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region. "There is NO cell service here. You have to drive about 5 minutes towards Hunter to get service," notes Sam L. about Devil's Tombstone Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground facilities for children. "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more. All public areas including the bathrooms are very clean," shares Dana O. about Thompson's Lake Campground.
Water activities: Whip O Will Campsites offers a lake that appeals to families with children. "From it bathrooms to its pool to its general store, playground, basketball courts, bocceball, 7 acre lake and 2 miles of walkable runable paths, Ted & Angela do a fantastic job of keeping the place running like a top," reports Michael M.
Site selection strategies: Waterfront sites tend to be more desirable and require early booking. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G. about North-South Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Devil's Tombstone Campground presents challenges for larger RVs. "We had a VW Westfalia, which we had no trouble pulling into our site. If we had something bigger, it might have been an issue," cautions Sam L.
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are available at multiple campgrounds, though full hookups are less common. "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," notes Kara W. about Schodack Island State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Some RV sites become unavailable during wet spring conditions. "The site is very rocky, so a sleeping pad or air mattress would be ideal," suggests Yasmin S. about Devil's Tombstone Campground, highlighting the terrain challenges that can affect RV parking and leveling.
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