Best Tent Camping near Spring Glen, NY
The Catskill Mountains surrounding Spring Glen, New York offer diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground in Gardiner provides dedicated tent-only areas with both drive-in and walk-in sites, making it popular among rock climbers visiting "the Gunks." The Peekamoose Valley, located about 20 miles northwest of Spring Glen, features primitive tent camping with riverside sites organized into three distinct camping fields. For those seeking more seclusion, Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed camping area offers basic tent camping with minimal amenities but maximum privacy in a quiet forest setting.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Walk-in tent sites at Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground require carrying gear short distances from parking areas but reward campers with more secluded settings. The ground at most sites consists of natural forest floor with some designated flat tent pads. Fire regulations vary by location, with some areas like Peekamoose Valley providing individual fire rings while Shawangunk Gateway opts for communal fire pits. Bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. Vault toilets or portable facilities are available at most established sites, though Hemlock Ridge offers no amenities whatsoever, requiring true self-sufficiency for primitive tent camping.
According to reviews, the walk-in tent sites at Shawangunk Gateway Campground (sites 8-15) are particularly desirable for their wooded setting and separation from the main camping area. One camper noted these sites are "wonderfully wooded all around" with "the nicest, most level tent site you'll ever find." At Alder Lake, tent campers reported spacious sites with good separation between neighbors, though weekends can become crowded. The Peekamoose Valley offers what one visitor described as "heavily wooded areas by a river" with "plenty of privacy between spots," though road noise can be noticeable. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, Hemlock Ridge provides what a camper called "a quiet peaceful wooded area" where "I was the only one here and it was a very peaceful and relaxing night."