Camping options within 20 miles of Purling feature diverse terrain from 1,200 to 2,800 feet elevation across the Catskill Mountains. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during days and 55-65°F overnight, with higher humidity levels than western mountain regions. Autumn brings vibrant foliage from late September through mid-October when many campgrounds reduce their rates.
What to do
Hiking near Kaaterskill Falls: Access this popular 231-foot waterfall from North-South Lake Campground, requiring a moderately difficult 1.4-mile trail. "Kaaterskill Falls is just about a mile from [North-South Lake Campground]," writes Brittany W. "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect."
Lake swimming: North-South Lake Campground maintains a designated swimming area with lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," reports Lizz H.
Creek wading: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds provides direct creek access for cooling off during hot days. "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids! Super nice being right on the creek—we took our chairs and plopped down in the water," shares Kyla B.
Wildlife observation: Schodack Island State Park offers several bird blinds along trails for watching eagles and other species. "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," notes Patsy E.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Kenneth L Wilson Campground features secluded camping areas with mature forest cover. "We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at This site from July 24-26 2020, at site 58 on Loop C. Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy," reports Katherine P.
Pet-friendly facilities: Whip O Will Campsites provides a seven-acre lake with walking paths for exercising dogs. "Found this campground solely on Internet. Pleasantly surprised that it was more than expected when I arrived. Full facilities and nice fishing pond. Staff was great," writes George C.
Reliable shower facilities: Devil's Tombstone Campground lacks on-site showers but provides access to facilities at nearby campgrounds. "For showers you have to head 9 miles to North South lake. The firewood here for sell is 5 dollars for a bunch," explains Phillip L.
On-site delivery services: Several campgrounds offer conveniences like firewood delivery to your site. "Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds has ice and firewood delivered at our request at a decent price," notes Joseph C.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most Catskill campgrounds operate from mid-May through early October. "Devil's Tombstone offers a more simple car camping experience then other campgrounds in the area. Just the basics here. A worthy spot to get some rest between hikes in the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness," advises Gavin T.
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have minimal or no cellular coverage. "There is NO cell service here. You have to drive about 5 minutes towards Hunter to get service," reports Sam L. about Devil's Tombstone Campground.
Rabies documentation requirements: Devil's Tombstone Campground strictly enforces pet vaccination policies. "NY has some strict requirements about proof of rabies vaccination for dogs, so make sure to read the requirements," warns Sam L.
Site selection considerations: Not all campsites are suitable for larger vehicles. "My husband and I stayed at site 71 in the middle of June this year and it was quiet and so nice! Site 71 was separated a little bit from other sites as you can see on the map which was so nice and also just a 20-second walk from the bathroom," shares Melanie H. about Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Animal interactions: Brookside Campground maintains a small farm with domestic animals that children can visit. "Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese," notes David R.
Playground access: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Purling provide play structures for children. "They have a camp store at the front of the property and it's stocked with basically anything you could think of needing including charcoal, ice, firewood among other camp items," Derek W. mentions about Blue Mountain Reservation.
Weather precautions: Thunderstorms can develop quickly in the Catskills, especially during summer months. "After the storm, the staff came out to check on us individually to make sure we were okay! So nice of them," shares Nicholas F. about Whip O Will Campsites.
Family programming: Seasonal activities cater to children at several campgrounds. "Great campground with perfectly spaced large sites. There's a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities can't wait to go back," says Richard V. about Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region. Fairly level pull-thru. Mix of large rock gravel, dirt, grass/weeds," notes Patsy E. about Schodack Island State Park.
Hookup availability: Schodack Island State Park Campground provides electrical connections but requires filling water tanks at central locations. "Large sites with power hookups. There is water available to fill your fresh water tank along the main road," explains Charles K.
Size restrictions: Some dog-friendly campgrounds near Purling limit the size of RVs they can accommodate. "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. about Devil's Tombstone Campground.
Dump station access: Verify waste disposal options when booking. "Treetopia is in a class all by itself! We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). For large rigs they have some big sites," advises Janly P.
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