Devil's Tombstone Campground provides tent camping sites in a wooded valley divided by State Route 214, with sites situated around 20-30 feet from the road. The Catskill Forest Preserve campgrounds near Preston Hollow operate seasonally, typically from mid-May through early October with specific closing dates varying by location. Most campgrounds feature rustic amenities with varying levels of accessibility and terrain conditions.
What to do
Hiking at trailheads: Devil's Tombstone Campground connects directly to the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness area trails. "If you're looking for relatively cheap and strictly the necessities, this is a good site for you. $16/night when I went," notes Yasmin S., who adds that the mountain views while driving to the site are particularly impressive.
Swimming at North-South Lake: The dual lakes provide popular swimming areas during summer months. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," explains Lizz H. Day passes to North-South Lake are provided to Devil's Tombstone Campground guests for swimming access approximately 10 miles away.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning hours offer the best opportunities for spotting local wildlife. "We had frequent visits from Gray Catbirds, and I saw a glimpse of a Bald Eagle through the treeline," reports Joseph C. at Schodack Island State Park Campground, where rabbits are also commonly observed throughout the park.
What campers like
Secluded forest settings: Max V. Shaul State Park offers wooded sites with adequate spacing between campsites. "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," writes Holly R. about this dog-friendly campground near Preston Hollow.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering modern amenities. "The bath house is clean and modern. $27.50/night for non-resident," reports Tom S. about Max V. Shaul State Park, while Schodack Island receives consistent praise: "This campsite had the cleanest bathrooms and shower facilities of any place I have ever been."
Lake access: Thompson's Lake Campground features lakeside sites with private water access paths. "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice," notes Clayton H. about Thompson's Lake Campground, which also maintains a swimming beach with boat rentals.
What you should know
Site conditions: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds, with some featuring rocky ground requiring additional sleeping pads. "The site is very rocky, so a sleeping pad or air mattress would be ideal," advises Yasmin S. about Devil's Tombstone, while at North-South Lake "sites are well spaced out" according to Tara L.
Road noise: Several campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to roadways. "State Route 214 divides the campground in half, and you could hear road noises from our site, but they quieted down by 6:00," reports Sam L. about Devil's Tombstone, while Max Shaul also experiences "traffic noise" from a "well traveled road near the park."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the region with some areas having no service. "There is NO cell service here. You have to drive about 5 minutes towards Hunter to get service," warns Sam L. about Devil's Tombstone Campground, so visitors should plan communications accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas specifically designed for children. "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more," shares Dana O. about Thompson's Lake, while Whip O Will Campsites features "a rec center, playground, and pool" according to Nicholas F.
Child-friendly activities: Structured recreation options vary between campgrounds. "North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge," explains Tara L. about North-South Lake Campground.
Bathroom considerations: Facility types range from flush toilets with showers to basic pit toilets. "The bathrooms are a glorified hole in the ground with a toilet seat, but if you need it, it's there. No sinks," explains Yasmin S. about Devil's Tombstone, making it important to check specific amenities when traveling with children.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV site sizes vary considerably between campgrounds. "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," reports Sarah S. about Nickerson Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric, water and sewer connections differ by location and site. "Whip O Will Campsites provides water and electric hookups at pet-friendly sites with spacious fire pits and picnic tables," while Nickerson Park offers full-service options including sewer hookups at select sites.
Dump station access: Proper waste disposal facilities are available at larger campgrounds. "There is water available to fill your fresh water tank along the main road," notes Charles K. about Schodack Island State Park, adding that their dump station is conveniently located at the campground exit.
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