178 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Catskill region around Shokan, New York features multiple developed campgrounds set within forested mountain terrain. Kenneth L. Wilson Campground provides wooded tent and RV sites with amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. Other established options include Woodland Valley Campground and Phoenicia Black Bear Campground, all situated within short driving distance of Shokan. These mixed-use campgrounds generally accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some facilities like Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds and Thousand Trails Rondout Valley also offering cabin rentals. The Giant Ledge Primitive Camp area provides a more rustic alternative for tent campers seeking a less developed camping experience.
Camping season typically runs from May through mid-October in most Catskills campgrounds, with limited winter access. Many sites require advance reservations during peak summer weekends. "We camped during COVID a couple of weeks ago and the staff were not there to check us in upon arrival. It seemed they left early which also meant we couldn't buy wood from them but it all worked out," noted one visitor to Kenneth L. Wilson Campground. Cell service can be minimal or non-existent throughout the region, particularly in valley locations. Bears are common in the area, with most campgrounds requiring proper food storage and providing specific protocols for campers. Elevation in the region ranges from approximately 600 to 2,000 feet, bringing cooler temperatures even during summer months.
Campers consistently highlight the privacy and spaciousness of sites at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground. A review mentioned that "the sites were beautiful and spacious, the others around us seemed a too close for comfort but these four sites were spaced out very well." The region's campgrounds provide varying levels of amenities - some offer showers, bathrooms and electric hookups while more primitive sites have minimal facilities. Several campgrounds feature water access with ponds or creeks suitable for paddling or fishing. Proximity to hiking trails receives positive mentions, with many campgrounds serving as convenient base camps for exploring the Catskill Mountains. The mix of developed campgrounds and more rustic options makes the area suitable for various camping styles, from RVs with hookup needs to primitive tent camping experiences.
"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"
from $22 / night
Check Availability"water to play in right behind tent. I do prefer fire pits over the brick stove. this had the stove. more advanced hiking in walking distance. no cell service. my gps on phone was able to track though."
"Close to Woodstock, NY, many trails and other attractions. You need to plan for it, there's a lot to explore; some trails are challenging. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"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."
"With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."
"We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
"Great place situated in a great area with lots to do all within an hour's drive. Even camping during a pandemic was peaceful & fun!"
"This is a Thousand trails campground so it was free. I think the regular price is $64. Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground."
"this is close by to many catskill hiking trails"
"It was close to trails and town"
from $16 / night
Check Availability"There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. Amenities are the great outdoors and an ancient bath house built during the New Deal in the 1930's."
"Firewood wasn’t available at the camp, had to drive about a mile to grab some. Close to town so easy to grab needed items."
from $17 - $102 / night
Check Availability"You will see a yellow little circle sign on a tree with a tent on it, a short distance down that side trail there is the site. It has rock benches and a fire pit. Primitive."
"However the descriptions of this place in reviews here and elsewhere provided very little info and once I got out to the trail realized how different it was to what I expected."
"Right outside downtown Phoenicia the black bear campground is perfectly situated for a multitude of activities. They offer creek front and wooded campsites."
"2 minutes walk to town"
from $35 - $65 / night
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TravelerCamp is pretty close together but most spots have a thick tree line between them which is nice. You still get a bit of road noise off the bridge and surrounding areas but it’s not to bad and the views at the boat launch on the Hudson are gorgeous
TravelerFree site ran by Peekemoose forest. There are supposed to be 12 along throughout the valley, this is the only one we were able to locate. Was able to access easily with a minivan and has a nice flat area. Can see the highway from the site.
ScoutOctober leaves starting to fall makes for a very quiet, peaceful midweek evening in one of the two dispersed car camping sites. Exactly what I was hoping for - private and empty and lovely. Easy to find - two dispersed car sites are to the left at the fork in the road before the trailhead.
GuideMade a reservation (site44) since I arrived as the sun had set. Office registration was open until 8. Staff was neither friendly nor unfriendly. Bathroom was dated but fine and a short walk from my site. CG was emptier being a Tuesday night in mid-October, so was plenty of space.
Great trail following the Hudson River. Beautiful fall colors.
ScoutI stayed here in March 2026 for a night before going snowboarding at Belleayre Mountain. It was in the middle of a snowstorm on a Tuesday night, so I had the whole place to myself, which was nice.
TravelerA nice wooded campground that was quiet despite being almost full on our Friday night stay.
The site we stayed at (64) had some pretty large roots to drive over and may have been an issue for a low clearance vehicle (we have a Subaru Outback).
The shower / house bathroom combo units weee very clean with hot water and baby changing station.
GuideI'm sure families would like it here in the summer, but to charge $90 when everything is closed up is ridiculous. Wi-Fi and showers are an additional cost. It does have an ADA shower which is a plus. Lots of permanent RVers and some sites are tight.
ScoutNice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
The Catskill region around Shokan, New York features elevations ranging from approximately 600 feet at the Ashokan Reservoir to over 3,000 feet at nearby mountain peaks. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing between November and March, with summer daytime averages reaching 70-85°F. Most campgrounds in the area sit on former farmland or within second-growth forests that regenerated after the timber industry retreated in the early 1900s.
Hiking with water views: At North-South Lake Campground, trails connect to the historic Catskill Mountain House site with views across the Hudson Valley. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there," notes visitor Brittany W.
Creek exploration: Woodland Creek at Woodland Valley Campground provides cooling relief during summer months. "The mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing; weather was great and we could see the stars through the canopy," reports John N.
Family water activities: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds features a creek perfect for wading. "We took our chairs and plopped down in the water," mentions camper Kyla B., who stayed in the adults-only "Lover's Lane" section. Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas suitable for children during peak summer season.
Private wooded sites: Kenneth L. Wilson Campground features spacious tent areas set back from access roads. "Site 9 was absolutely massive! It was set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site," according to camper C R., who appreciated the privacy despite being near bathrooms and water.
Creekside camping: Phoenicia Black Bear Campground offers waterfront sites along the Esopus Creek. "I stayed at one of the creek front campsites and highly recommend doing so. They're slightly more expensive but the view is so worth it. The creek was perfect for dipping your feet and just hanging out," explains Derek W.
Wildlife sightings: Actual black bear encounters occur throughout the Catskills, including at campgrounds. "In the morning we woke up to a baby bear walking on our campsite. We kept our distance but that was definitely a thrill," reports a visitor to Phoenicia Black Bear Campground. Other campers have reported seeing deer, wild turkeys and porcupines.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds report minimal connectivity. "No cell service in the campground," notes one visitor to Kenneth L. Wilson Campground, while another mentions, "There was no cell service but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while."
Spring water sources: Some primitive sites like Giant Ledge Primitive Camp require water planning. "The spring water source is a short hike back from the campsite, relatively convenient to restock from camp," shares John S. More developed campgrounds typically offer potable water spigots.
Seasonal bathroom limitations: Many smaller campgrounds close facilities early. "Bathrooms were a bit of a hike, but they were clean and had plenty of signage advising people during the pandemic," reports Katherine P. about Kenneth L. Wilson Campground. Some remote sites feature only pit toilets.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Jellystone Park Gardiner caters specifically to children. "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also," shares Amanda S., who visited with children of varying ages.
Playground access: Devil's Tombstone Campground includes play areas for children. A visitor notes: "There is a playground for kids so you don't have to watch over them while you set up." Multiple campgrounds feature designated recreation areas for younger campers.
Off-site adventures: Area campgrounds provide access to regional attractions. Rip Van Winkle Campground visitor C O. explains: "My husband went on a work trip and left me alone for a few days and we left our rig to take the train (about 1 hr away in Poukeepsie) into the city for the weekend and we had no problems."
Limited large rig access: Many Catskill campgrounds have narrow access roads and size restrictions. "The long, narrow, and winding road from Route 28 to Woodland Valley campground should not keep you from camping there!" advises Gary G., acknowledging access challenges while still recommending the location.
Hookup availability: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides full RV services but sites vary. "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," reports Inez W., who relocated to a non-sewer site at this campground where Starlink worked better.
Level site selection: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain. "Although No cell service site was nice. Was our first shakedown camping trip. Very nice (clean) bathrooms and showers. Private level site surrounded by trees," shares Daniel L. about Kenneth L. Wilson Campground, highlighting the importance of finding flat spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shokan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shokan, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Shokan, NY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shokan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shokan, NY is Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shokan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Shokan, NY.
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