Tent Camping near Summit, NY

Tent camping around Summit, New York offers a mix of primitive and established sites across the Catskills and surrounding region. Most campgrounds in the area sit between 1,800 and 2,500 feet elevation, making for cool nights even in summer. Fall camping is particularly popular when temperatures typically range from 35-65°F, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear after September.

What to do

Hiking to fire towers: At Giant Ledge Primitive Camp, trails lead to panoramic viewpoints. "It take the average hiker about an hour ish to get to camp/ledge view. This one is one of my favs," notes a Giant Ledge visitor.

Fishing at nearby ponds: Alder Lake offers shoreline fishing opportunities. "We had a very peaceful weekend. There's no noise at night apart from the running stream," reports one camper at Alder Lake.

Star-gazing from elevated sites: The region's minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions. "Yes you can star gaze by the views near the camp," shares a Giant Ledge camper who rated their experience highly.

Canal exploration: The Erie Canal system provides unique water-adjacent camping. "The Canal Corporation provides designated spots for tent and van camping along the canal. Stays are limited to a maximum of 48 hours," explains a camper at E16 Canal Lock.

What campers like

Secluded lake settings: Alder Lake receives praise for its peaceful environment. "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers," notes a visitor who appreciated the privacy.

Easy water access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct water proximity. "We stayed three nights in late October. There are several beautiful, secluded hike-in sites along the lake which I would love to return to someday," shares an Erik C. at Alder Lake.

Free camping options: Several sites operate under free dispersed camping rules. "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," notes a camper describing the trail network.

Natural spring water: Some sites have accessible water sources. "The spring water source is a short hike back from the campsite, relatively convenient to restock from camp," mentions a John S. who camped at Giant Ledge.

What you should know

Rough access roads: Many sites require careful driving. "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites," reports a Duck Pond visitor, adding "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."

Limited facilities: Most primitive sites lack amenities. "Bring biodegradable toilet paper and a shovel; as there are not toilets up here," advises a Giant Ledge camper describing essential supplies.

Bear awareness: Wildlife precautions are necessary. "Thought I heard bears come through overnight, but may have been a lucid dream. Bear can was undisturbed in the morning," notes a camper at Giant Ledge, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.

Weekend crowds: Popular sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We arrived around 11:00 am and the parking lot was already packed and cars were lined up along the road," warns a visitor at Alder Lake, suggesting early arrival.

Tips for camping with families

State park cabins: Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park offers comfortable options. "The cabins are beautifully built with lovely settings, and well appointed though you need to bring your own linens," explains a Janet R. who visited with family.

Kid-friendly facilities: Some established campgrounds include play areas. "There is a beautiful picnic pavilion and playground, so kid friendly," notes a visitor describing amenities at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park.

Easy tent sites: For families new to camping, look for drive-in access. "It's a single camper site at the top of the hill left before the trailhead parking," describes an Alder Lake visitor, referencing one of the more accessible spots.

Modest hiking options: Choose trails appropriate for children. "The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk," shares an Erik C. who enjoyed the gentler paths at Alder Lake with family.

Tips from RVers

Small vehicle requirements: Many sites cannot accommodate larger rigs. "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," cautions an SJ W. who visited Alder Lake.

Limited hookup options: Most sites are primitive. "If you're like me just expect it to suck for a while. If you're experienced in mountainous hiking you should have no problem," advises a camper about the challenging terrain at many sites.

Alternative established campgrounds: When dispersed sites won't work for your vehicle. "If that's the case, there is a normal campsite called Woodlands nearby that has a ton of sites and RV sites," suggests a Giant Ledge visitor who noted nearby alternatives.