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.

Best Camping Sites Near Purling, New York (169)

    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

    7 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

    6 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
    Coeymans, 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!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 169 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Purling, NY

618 Reviews of 169 Purling Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Osa Trail

    Gorgeous Views

    Had a great time here with my wife and 2 little kids and our dog.  One of the most beautiful sunrises we've ever seen!  Very secluded, though Alex is right down the driveway so didn't feel like the middle of nowhere.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Great staff but back-to-back campsite

    We stayed a coupe of days in Oct. This is a beautiful site to camp out. The staffs are friendly and very attentive.
    Bathroom and water pressure was ok. But one shower location for 50 campsites. Three small showers units and three toilet.
    I never stayed a state campsite where the sites are so close each other. If you like a “normal” distance to your neighbors, I'd not recommend this place.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    New York City North-Newburgh KOA

    Good amenities and fun experience!

    Campsites Great campsites, wooded and cozy, though a little tight for longer rigs as our neighbors found out when they ran over a wooden post backing in. But spaced apart nicely with lots of vegetation between. Nice and level. Amenities Bathrooms are older and need of some repair but let me tell you I was very happy to see a normal shower head with real hot water! So no complaints here. Laundry facilities were clean and open 24/7 with reasonable prices 2.50/2.00 washer/dryer. And the dryers actually worked. Small dog park, communal spaces, and a camp store all made the place feel like a little village. They even have a wine store- cab sav was good. WiFi I work remotely and WiFi is always an issue. We have Starlink but in a wooded campsite, connecting is an issue but luckily their WiFi was great. Had no issues and could stream just fine. Halloween! We visited mid October and folks had sites decorated and the KOA has trick or treating and other activities every weekend in Oct. we were SO bummed to be leaving on a Friday and miss the festivities because it looked really fun. Would definitely go back. Also, staff was super nice.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brookside Campground

    Not a recreational campsite

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available on Google and Dyrt. However, when we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time. Just not the vibe I’m going for. We decided to leave without staying. We called to see if we could get a refund and they were very kind and it wasn’t a problem. But just be warned… this is not a recreational campsite.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    Average

    We stayed one night in late September without a reservation. Bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers. We’re from out of state and paid about $23 for a tent site which was reasonable for the facilities.

  • S
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sylvan Lake Beach Park

    Great Beach Lake for summer swimming and Boating

    This is an old campground, but is quite quaint. Reminds me of lake camping that I grew up with. Hosts are very nice and helpful. This is more of a seasonal camping site. Do not follow your GPS directions. Get directions from the campground staff.


Guide to Purling

Camping near Purling, New York offers access to the northern region of the Catskill Mountains at elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F while nighttime temperatures can drop into the 40s even in July. The region experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, with campers noting that weather patterns can shift rapidly due to the mountainous terrain.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Whip O Will Campsites in Purling, campers can access a 7-acre lake stocked for fishing. "Found this campground solely on Internet. Pleasantly surprised that it was more than expected when I arrived. Full facilities and nice fishing pond," notes George C.

Hiking trail access: Multiple trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty are accessible within a 15-minute drive of most campgrounds. "Plenty of trails nearby!" reports a visitor to Blue Mountain Reservation, while another camper at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground mentions it's "close to hiking trails and the facilities were in good shape."

Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming during the warmer months. A camper at Schodack Island State Park notes, "Our favorite feature was the day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River. We saw many larger boats during the day. The view from the boat ramp area was amazing."

Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse bird populations and mammals. At Schodack Island State Park, one visitor reported "excellent birding" and "hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle." The park is known for its "abundance of wildlife" according to multiple reviews.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region prioritize privacy between sites. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "you can't go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated," according to Kathy G. Another camper mentions, "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites."

Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness is consistently praised. A visitor to Kenneth L. Wilson Campground states, "The ladies that run this campground are absolute queens and were so nice and helpful. The bathrooms were very clean and new and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!!"

Recreational amenities: Many campgrounds offer additional activities beyond nature exploration. At Treetopia Campground, "they have RV sites, yurts, custom furnished treehouses with electricity, beautiful tiny homes with outdoor living spaces, remodeled vintage airstreams, and gorgeous private cabins!" explains one reviewer.

Water features: Lakes, streams and rivers enhance camping experiences throughout the region. A camper at Devil's Tombstone Campground indicates the proximity to water is a major draw: "The campground is on either side of a fairly steep valley" with access to nearby water features.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "There was no cell service in the campground," reports a camper at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground. At other sites, service is adequate but spotty.

Bear safety: Black bears are active throughout the region. One visitor to Devil's Tombstone Campground mentions, "If you leave food out you will get a warning notice if seen." Another camper at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground had a more direct experience: "Got chased off by a bear. It was the wildest weekend I ever had."

Weather preparation: Mountain weather systems can change rapidly. "Check the weather," advises a camper at Whip O Will Campsites. "We forgot to check the weather, and came in right before a thunderstorm. After the storm, the staff came out to check on us individually to make sure we were okay!"

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially for weekend stays between June and September. At Devil's Tombstone Campground, "for reservation you have to book 2 days ahead. Do not come during the summer because it is swamped here and it the busiest time."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreational facilities. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," notes a camper at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground. Another mentions the "lake is huge" providing ample recreation opportunities.

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. At Brookside Campground, "The sports 'complex' and pool actually looked very nice and well maintained. There were kids everywhere," notes one visitor. Another mentions, "The playground area was nice."

Educational opportunities: Wildlife and natural features offer learning experiences. At Schodack Island State Park, a camper mentions it's a "great place for family fun and education. We have camped here for the last 3 years. They have excellent services and activities."

Safety considerations: Campgrounds with clearly marked boundaries help keep children from wandering. "The gated security" was specifically mentioned as a positive feature at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, where visitors felt comfortable even when temporarily leaving their campsite.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose sites based on your specific needs and rig size. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections," reports one RVer. The camper appreciated that management carefully matched RVs to appropriate sites.

Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are common but sewer connections are limited. At Treetopia Campground, "if you have an RV, they have 30/50 amp with electric and water. There is no sewer, but they have a dump-station and on-site Honeywagon truck that you can schedule."

Road conditions: Access roads to campgrounds can present challenges. At Schodack Island State Park, "the roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth!" Another camper mentions "large sites with power hookups. There is water available to fill your fresh water tank along the main road."

Winter closure: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with few options for off-season camping. Always verify opening dates when planning trips outside the peak summer months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Purling, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Purling, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 169 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.