Camping near Roxbury, New York takes place in the western Catskill Mountains where elevations range from 1,400 to 4,000 feet. The region contains numerous streams and small water bodies rather than large lakes, creating natural boundaries between camping areas. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November through March, while summer evenings often require layers even during July and August when daytime temperatures reach the 80s.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: The area surrounding Woodland Valley Campground connects to numerous Catskill trails with varying difficulty levels. "Most important is the fact that you can quickly get to many great hikes in the Catskills including Hunter, Slide, Plateau Rock, and many others," notes Gary G. The campground serves as a strategic base for multi-day hikers.
Water activities: Paddling opportunities exist at several locations including North-South Lake Campground, which provides rentals for those without equipment. "Two lakes. Highly recommended," writes Luka M. The dual connected lakes offer different paddling experiences within the same area.
Mountain exploration: Areas near Hunter Mountain provide access to the Devil's Path trail system. The terrain offers challenging day hikes with significant elevation changes. Some campgrounds issue parking passes for nearby recreation sites, as one camper explains: "There is swimming but the site provides you a parking pass for the North South Lake 10 miles away."
What campers like
Creek access: Water features consistently rank as favorite amenities among campers at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground. One visitor explains, "The campground has some great hiking trails and a cozy vibe in a beautiful part of NY." Sites positioned near moving water create natural white noise that masks other camping sounds.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the area design site placement to maximize separation. At Country Roads Campground, "Mainly an RV ground, but they have about 10-15 great tent sites back beyond the RV area. There are water spigots near all the tent sites and they are nice and spread out," according to William R. The tent areas typically offer more seclusion than RV sections.
Natural surroundings: The forested settings provide cool shade during summer months. At several locations, the tree canopy creates a microclimate approximately 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby towns. "Large and heavily wooded! Enjoyed our stay even on a busy weekend. They have a lake on site with swimming," notes one Kenneth L. Wilson visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. At Little Pond Campground, "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," reports Giselle P.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night are common. Summer rainstorms develop quickly, particularly in afternoon hours. Pack rain gear even during forecasted clear weather.
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires navigating unpaved roads. At Alder Lake, a camper notes: "The place is pretty easy to access with paved road the whole way there except for the last 1/2 mile where it is very bumpy. Some might say 4*4 but we made it just fine in our little Camry."
Bear precautions: Multiple campgrounds enforce strict food storage rules. "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," advises one Little Pond visitor. Some primitive sites provide bear boxes for secure storage.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several locations offer designated swimming areas with variable facilities. North-South Lake provides a developed beach area with lifeguards during peak season, while smaller ponds often have unguarded swim zones.
Playground access: Some established campgrounds maintain play equipment for younger children. At Max V. Shaul State Park Campground, "There is a children's playground and pavilion. Firewood is available to purchase. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept," notes Darby R.
Family-friendly layouts: Certain campgrounds design their sites specifically for family groups. "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," explains Sarah S. about Nickerson Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many Catskill campgrounds have length restrictions or challenging access roads. Before booking, confirm your vehicle length works with the specific site.
Hookup variability: Water and electric services differ significantly between locations. Some established campgrounds provide full connections while others offer minimal services. "No hookups, just a picnic table, firepit," notes Holly R. about Max V. Shaul State Park.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region feature sloped terrain. Bring leveling blocks even for reserved sites advertised as level. One camper at Little Pond warns, "The sites are on the smaller side and many have slanted entrances."
