Roxbury camping offers diverse options in the eastern Catskill Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,600 to 3,000 feet creating distinctive camping microclimates. The area experiences temperature fluctuations of 15-20°F between day and night, even during summer months. Seasonal campgrounds typically operate from mid-April through October, with several extending their season to accommodate leaf-peeping campers.
What to do
Hike Vroman's Nose: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground serves as an excellent base for accessing this popular hiking destination. "There's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose," notes Brian H., highlighting nearby natural attractions.
Enjoy water recreation: At Alder Lake, visitors find multiple activities centered around the water. "The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk. The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely," shares Erik C., describing the accessible hiking options.
Visit nearby small towns: The Catskills region surrounding Roxbury features charming villages worth exploring. Country Roads Campground provides convenient access to these areas. "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel," mentions Philip M., indicating the helpful staff after a day of regional exploration.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous space at Nickerson Park Campground. "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., detailing the thoughtful layout.
Clean facilities: The condition of bathhouses stands out at multiple campgrounds. "A nice site. Very clean facilities and incredibly nice staff. Just ok distance between camp sites," notes ryan S. about Max V. Shaul State Park, emphasizing the maintenance standards.
Yurt camping options: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers yurt accommodations as an alternative to traditional camping near Roxbury, New York. "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there," comments Stephanie H., describing the family-friendly atmosphere where yurts are available.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds experience occasional utility issues. At Nickerson Park, one camper noted infrastructure challenges: "THE WATER! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! I'm guessing the new owners didn't do as much as the previous owners as far as water treatments. It smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored."
Booking timing matters: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season, particularly on weekends. Glamping Camp in the Catskills offers tipi-style accommodations but has limited availability during summer months. Reservations often need to be made 2-3 months in advance for weekend stays.
Accessibility considerations: Not all campsites offer universal access. "Was not the easiest for my RV van to get up the hill with the ruts, but I have a small lift so it helps, lower clearance vans might not make it," warns SJ W. about Alder Lake, providing important information about road conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Crazy Acres Campground at Beaver Spring Lake provides water-based recreation specifically designed for families. "We are full timers and took our daughter, her boyfriend and our granddaughter for a weekend camping. We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by," shares Robert M., highlighting the multi-generational appeal.
Look for organized programming: Some campgrounds offer structured activities. "This is a very nice campground for families. Has a lot of activities and facilities for campers," notes Jenna S. about Jellystone Park Gardiner, a favorite for family-focused camping near Roxbury.
Consider bathroom proximity: When camping with young children, site selection matters. Family-friendly bathhouses are available at select locations, with Max V. Shaul featuring "new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms," according to Margaret L.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Country Roads Campground, RVers recommend specific areas. "Beautiful campground. Stayed in The Pines section. Spacious sites. Super friendly and helpful staff," advises Tom R., pointing to preferred locations within the campground.
Seasonal considerations: Timing affects the RV camping experience in the Roxbury area. "We stayed for two nights mid-week in June and had the entire loop to ourselves. That made the experience a 5/5, but after seeing the site layout, it seems like accessibility could be an issue with high occupancy," explains Taylor H. about Nickerson Park, highlighting the advantages of off-peak visits.
Utility connections: For those seeking yurt camping near Roxbury, New York as an alternative to RV camping, understand the available hookups. "My site had 30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water. Very quiet as they had just opened," mentions Wilson W. about Crazy Acres Campground, detailing the specific electrical setup.
