The Catskill Mountains around Summit, New York sit at elevations between 1,800-3,000 feet with terrain characterized by rolling hills, hardwood forests, and small streams. The region experiences typical Northeast seasonal patterns, with camping available from May through October at most established sites, though dispersed camping options like Betty Brook Camp remain accessible year-round with proper preparation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Betty Brook Camp offers fishing access along its namesake stream where campers can cast for local trout. "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream," notes a regular visitor at Betty Brook Camp.
Hiking excursions: The surrounding state forests provide numerous trail options for day hikes. At Duck Pond Campsite, visitors note the secluded nature: "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."
Winter recreation: Unlike many camping areas that close during colder months, some sites remain accessible for winter activities. One camper at Burnt Rossman State Forest noted, "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
Baseball Hall of Fame: Glimmerglass State Park Campground provides a convenient base for exploring nearby Cooperstown attractions. "With Cooperstown 15-20 minutes away no lack of things to do for adults and kids. Great restaurants also. No reason to ever get bored," shares one visitor.
What campers like
Quiet, secluded settings: Many of the best places to camp near Summit, New York offer privacy without overcrowding. A visitor to Max V. Shaul State Park Campground commented, "The Max V. Shaul State Park is small and quiet - only 30 sites here, which are large, flat and sited well apart from each other."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept amenities. One camper noted about Max V. Shaul, "Great campground, cleanest facilities ever! Good adjustable campfire cooking rack. Friendly staff, lots of dogs, all on leash!"
Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds offer organized events throughout the summer season. A visitor to Crazy Acres Campground shared, "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well."
Spacious campsites: Many locations provide ample room between sites. A camper at Country Roads Campground observed, "Beautiful campground. Stayed in The Pines section. Spacious sites. Super friendly and helpful staff."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping areas can be challenging, particularly after rain. A camper at Duck Pond Campsite warned, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse... Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have reported issues with water systems. At Nickerson Park Campground, a seasonal camper noted, "The water smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored. Little to no pressure and a couple times no water at all."
Management variations: Campground experiences can vary widely based on management. Nickerson Park received mixed reviews with one camper stating, "It was a last minute decision for us to come here and we were so glad we did... We loved the pool, walking to the creek, and how wonderfully quiet it was most of the time."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds near Summit require advance bookings, especially during peak season. Dispersed camping options like Burnt Rossman State Forest offer first-come, first-served alternatives without reservation systems.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds near Summit feature dedicated play areas. A visitor to Max V. Shaul State Park Campground mentioned, "There is a children's playground and pavilion. Firewood is available to purchase. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept."
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide a comfortable alternative to tents. Little Lake Campground offers cabin rentals alongside traditional sites. A visitor described it as a "Great place that's about 50/50 permanent sites and rentals. They have lots to do, the owners are very friendly and accommodating."
Check scheduled activities: Many campgrounds host family-oriented events, especially on weekends. A camper at Crazy Acres noted, "Excellent campground. The tone of the place is set when you drive in. Everyone, staff and campers are friendly respectful even the kids! Grounds are clean, kids were constantly busy and happy."
Find swimming options: Summer heat makes water access important for families. Country Roads Campground provides tent sites "nice and spread out" with "special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose campgrounds with adequate space for larger rigs. At Glimmerglass State Park Campground, a camper noted, "Sites are very easy to get into and well maintained. Water available and electric. The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in."
Hookup availability: Many camping areas near Summit offer partial hookups. At Little Lake Campground, reviewers mentioned, "Electric, water, and septic hookups were all modern and in great shape."
Consider seasonal options: For frequent visitors, seasonal sites provide a cost-effective alternative. One Crazy Acres camper observed, "Seasonal sites are extremely well kept. Owners are relatively new (about 3 years) and have lots of new upgrades and improvements on deck."
Plan for varying road conditions: Some of the best RV camping near Summit, New York requires navigation of narrow country roads. A visitor to Country Roads Campground appreciated that "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel."
