Best Campgrounds near Purling, NY

The Catskill region surrounding Purling, New York features a mix of established campgrounds and natural areas for outdoor recreation. Whip O Will Campsites in Purling provides tent and RV camping with amenities including electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. Within a 20-mile radius, additional options include North-South Lake Campground in Haines Falls, Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds in Saugerties, and Brookside Campground in Catskill, which offers cabin accommodations and glamping experiences alongside traditional camping.

Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with specific opening and closing dates varying by location. North-South Lake Campground, for example, operates from May 19 to October 22. "North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families," notes one visitor. Cell service can be limited or nonexistent at many locations, particularly at North-South Lake where visitors report being "unplugged" during their stay. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Weather conditions in the Catskills can change rapidly, with visitors reporting occasional storms even during peak season.

Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available throughout the region. Hiking trails are accessible from many campgrounds, with North-South Lake offering direct access to several trails of varying difficulty. Water features are common attractions, with North-South Lake providing two lakes with beaches for swimming. Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are reported at several campgrounds. According to visitor feedback, sites with more privacy and natural features tend to receive higher ratings. Campgrounds closer to Purling generally offer more amenities like electric hookups and shower facilities, while those deeper in the Catskills provide a more rustic experience with greater seclusion and natural surroundings.

Detours Nearby

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Whip O Will Campsites

Whip O Will Campsites

3 min away

Treetopia Campground

Treetopia Campground

8 min away

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Best Camping Sites Near Purling, New York (168)

    1. North-South Lake Campground

    43 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 589-5058

    $22 - $44 / night

    "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."

    "Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer."

    2. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds

    16 Reviews
    Saugerties, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 246-8334

    "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."

    3. Whip O Will Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Round Top, NY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 622-3277

    $33 - $113 / night

    "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"

    "It had a little arcade, a nice lake, and playground."

    4. Brookside Campground

    5 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 678-9729

    "The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."

    5. Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shokan, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 679-7020

    $22 / night

    "This campground is nestled in the Catskills, New York, with easy access to New Jersey and Connecticut."

    "Access to fresh water spouts and clean bathrooms were just a walk away from most sites, theres a beautiful pond on site and beautiful views of the Catskills, Woodstock is a 15 min drive if you’re looking"

    6. Devil's Tombstone Campground

    10 Reviews
    Elka Park, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 688-7160

    $16 / night

    "this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"

    "It was close to trails and town"

    7. Blue Mountain Reservation

    4 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5275

    "I went here with my friend and we were using it as our base camp as we went out in trails in the eastern Catskills notably the Devils Path, echo lake, etc."

    "Nice little campground with lake sites. The Northville Placed Trail comes out in this campground. The showers were clean and plenty of pressure."

    8. Schodack Island State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Selkirk, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 732-0187

    $17 - $26 / night

    "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!"

    9. Treetopia Campground

    2 Reviews
    Catskill, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 943-4513

    $60 - $100 / night

    "Treetopia is a unique and truly amazing camping/Glamping experience in the Catskills, New York!"

    10. Getaway Catskill Campground - New York

    1 Review
    Palenville, NY
    4 miles
    Website

    $79 - $119 / night

    "It's clear that the hosts take great pride in their location. Each site has a private bathroom and hot shower, as well as a kitchenette. Book your stay today and leave them some love!"

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Recent Reviews near Purling, NY

608 Reviews of 168 Purling Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Hide-A-Way Campsites

    Quaint and truly hid away

    Well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups.

  • Lorraine H.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    2 month stay started July

    It's ok great water views stuff for kids to do every weekend it's the seasonal campers that make it not fun at times u have some very friendly then others that are noisy judging ,parting witch parting really ain't problem until ur not watching ur kids or being loud at times I give it a 7 out of 10

  • M
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    kids always have a blast!

    We went for the Halloween event, and the kids had a great day and evening! They really enjoyed trick or treating!!!

  • 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.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Little Pond Campground

    Small sites and no service

    I didn’t hate this campground, but I won’t be going back.

    It’s a nice campground and perfect for single/family camping. I would not choose this location if I were taking a group of people. The sites are on the smaller side and many have slanted entrances.

    The campground is kept clean and the bathrooms were tidy. The campground is in bear country so you have to be mindful about leaving food out when you’re not at the site or asleep.

    There is a pond and there’s kayaks, canoes, etc for rent. The beach area is clean and the water is clear. I was there middle of August and the water was not cold and quite comfortable. There are some water front sites that you can use to access the water with a boat or paddle board.

    Cell service is non existent and they have a pay phone near the entrance booth where you can use to make/receive phone calls. It’s a 20 min drive back into town to get cell service. That’s a non- starter for me. It would be beneficial if they had service near the entrance at least for people to check in with Family.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Mt. Greylock Campsite Park

    Great Little Campground in the Berkshires

    The owner of this campground really cares about her job and making sure each and every camper has a great experience. I have a very large tent but was able to fit it on my site. The site was slightly slanted but that did help with drainage when we had torrential downpours the last 24 hours we were there. There seems to be a lot of seasonal campers but they were so friendly. The bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great. The pool was cold, but really nice and again very clean. I loved that they deliver firewood to your site when you purchase from them. And again, I can’t say enough about the owner. She welcomed me with open arms when I arrived and I can tell she takes a lot of pride in her job and in her campground. I do hope to return again.

  • k
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    Aqua Vista Campground

    I have been camping at Aqua Vista for 2 seasons and have been having a great time.Each year gets better and better.They have hayrides, many activities, themed weekends. Activities going on all the time.Great place for family and kids.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Pittsfield State Forest Campground

    A lovely park and campground

    July 2025. We stayed in site #36.  It had plenty of room for our 4 person tent, kitchen tent and car.  The ground was all gravel to took some time to remove the bigger ones from under the tent.  The sites were close to each other but enough vegetation around to have a little privacy.  The bath house was great.  Four private shower rooms (2 for men, 2 for women).  They also had outdoor showers and a dish washing station.  There was also an information area.   Staff cleaned daily.  There were many hiking trails.  The loop took us to the top where there was a beautiful view.  We will be coming back.

  • B
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Foothills

    Nice place

    Foothills is a great choice for families or groups of friends who want to immerse themselves in nature with many gentle amenities and relaxing spaces.


Guide to Purling

Camping near Purling, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: There are many trails nearby, including those leading to scenic spots like Kaaterskill Falls. One camper mentioned, "The trail to the Mountain House Site is also pretty easy, with more of an incline," making it accessible for various skill levels.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the lakes at campgrounds like North-South Lake Campground, where "there are two nice lakes with beaches." It's a great way to cool off after a day of hiking.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, such as Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, offer fishing opportunities. One reviewer noted, "You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river."

What campers like

  • Natural beauty: Campers rave about the scenic views. A visitor to Woodland Valley Campground said, "Gorgeous. There was a brook not far from our campsite, and it was only a short stroll to the lake."
  • Privacy: Many sites are well-spaced, providing a sense of seclusion. One camper at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground appreciated that "some of the spots were fairly close together, they seem more spread out than in other Catskill camping sites."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. A reviewer at Schodack Island State Park Campground noted, "The staff and CAPs they are in the campground were very friendly."

What you should know

  • Limited services: Some campgrounds, like Devil's Tombstone Campground, have basic facilities. One camper said, "The toilets were pit toilets, which could have been cleaner."
  • Cell service issues: Many areas have poor or no cell service. A visitor at North-South Lake Campground mentioned, "There is NO cell service & just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged."
  • Bear activity: Campers should be cautious about food storage due to bear sightings. One reviewer at Woodland Valley Campground warned, "There’s a lot of bear activity here, so constantly cleaning up your food is very important."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids, like playgrounds. A camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds said, "There are playgrounds for the kids, basketball, pool and a remote control car track."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep kids entertained. One family enjoyed their time at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground, stating, "There are some nice little walks and small hikes on the ground with a lake that you can rent kayaks or canoes."
  • Pack extra supplies: Be prepared for anything, especially if you're camping in a more rustic area. A visitor at Devil's Tombstone Campground suggested, "Bring extra tarps and rope!"

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Rondout Valley RV Campground mentioned, "The campground is 45 min off main road and has ONE pull through."
  • Be cautious with road access: Some campgrounds have tight roads. One camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds noted, "We were assured that it would fit. It did- technically."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Schodack Island State Park Campground appreciated the "electric hookups on 2 of the 3 camping loops."

Camping around Purling, New York, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Purling, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Purling, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 168 campgrounds and RV parks near Purling, NY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Purling, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Purling, NY is North-South Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 43 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Purling, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Purling, NY.