Camping sites near Accord, New York are situated within the western Catskill Mountains at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal temperature variations, with summer daytime highs typically reaching 75-85°F while dropping into the 50s overnight. Local campgrounds often operate from mid-April through early November, with most facilities closing before the first significant snowfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The creek at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides a natural habitat for crayfish exploration. As one camper notes, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Hiking at Minnewaska: Sam Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides direct access to Minnewaska State Park Preserve, located about 20 minutes from Accord. A visitor recommends the Sams Point Overlook trail: "We went to Sams point Overlook for a 6 mile hike and I highly recommend it. Both the campsite and hike trail were extremely clean, staff was friendly, and they were continuing to update the paths so you don't get misguided."
Swimming options: Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers lake swimming during summer months. "They have a lake on site with swimming. We happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great!" The acidic lakes in the area create unique swimming conditions compared to other New York water bodies.
Rock climbing access: The Shawangunk Ridge (known locally as "the Gunks") provides world-class climbing opportunities near Gardiner. A reviewer of Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground states it's "located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area."
What campers like
Stream-side sites: At Woodland Valley Campground, campers appreciate waterfront access. A visitor mentioned, "If you like to camp by water, this is the perfect place for you. It has amazing on the water sites you can camp at, plus a stunning view of the Catskills."
Natural quiet: Mills Norrie State Park offers a peaceful experience during weekdays. "When the park clears out during the week you sleep to the sounds of nature and the occasional freight train in the distance." The campground features large, well-spaced sites across its forested terrain.
Site privacy: So-Hi Campground in Accord provides secluded tent camping areas. One camper describes: "The wooded tent camping sites are gorgeous - nestled at the back amongst little streams." The campground balances RV needs while maintaining natural settings for tent campers.
Horse farm camping: Gunx Camping on a Horse Farm offers a unique alternative to established campgrounds. "Private campsites accessible by car. Stunning mt views. Farm stand on property," explains one visitor. Sites cost $25 per person per night and include mountain views with local farm experiences.
What you should know
Bear activity: Kenneth L Wilson Campground has active bear populations requiring proper food storage. "Got chased off by a bear... It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic." Bears are particularly active from May through October when natural food supplies fluctuate.
No fires allowed: Some locations restrict campfires entirely. A reviewer of Minnewaska noted, "I thought the sites were on the smaller side and no fire is allowed." Always verify fire regulations before booking, as restrictions vary by campground.
Crowding patterns: Jellystone Park Gardiner experiences significant weekend crowding during summer. "This place is great for kids or diverse groups that all want to do different things. It's very family themed and fun for everyone. However, it can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have minimal or no cell coverage. "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while," mentions a Woodland Valley visitor. Some campsites require 20-30 minute drives to reach areas with reliable service.
Tips for camping with families
Pool reservations: New York City North-Newburgh KOA implements a timed pool system. "They have 2 pools which require signing up ahead of time for 1 hour slots...there is nothing wrong with this however they could accommodate more if they actually opened the 2nd pool," explains one visitor. Arrive early to secure desired swimming times.
Weekend activities: Jellystone Park caters specifically to children with structured programming. According to one visitor, "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity." Weekends generally offer more organized entertainment than weekdays.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature playground facilities of varying quality. At So-Hi, "The 'extras' - playground and fishing, have seen better days and could do with a fix up but our 6 year old loved them anyway." Consider bringing additional entertainment for children if playground quality is important.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, RV sites vary significantly in quality and levelness. "We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers. (At least they turned off the music at quiet hours)." Sites in older sections may have drainage issues during rain.
Hookup challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult sewer connections. One camper noted, "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low." Request specific information about hookup locations and configurations when making reservations.
Road conditions: Several campgrounds have entrance roads with challenging clearances. One visitor warns, "Some have a steep descent off the road, and there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs. This happened to our neighbor and it took out his RV sewer system."
