Camping sites near Tannersville, New York spread across the eastern Catskills region at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Situated in Greene County, this area features multiple streams and creek-front camping options with water levels that vary seasonally. Daytime summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F while nighttime temperatures can drop to 50-60°F even in July and August.
What to do
Hiking from camp to trailheads: At North-South Lake Campground, several popular hiking trails start directly from the grounds. "This campsite is by far my favorite in the Catskills! Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable, bathrooms & beach areas are always clean, & the hiking nearby is fantastic. A lot of the hiking nearby is also relatively easy," notes Jessica W.
Stream wading and swimming: Creek-front sites at Phoenicia Black Bear Campground provide direct water access. "The creek was perfect for dipping your feet and just hanging out. I booked this campsite because of its proximity to a multitude of trailheads," shares Derek W. The campground also offers "River access for tubing!" according to Kendra P.
Lake activities: Multiple water options exist at larger campgrounds. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," notes Lizz H. about North-South Lake, which has swimming areas and boat rentals available during peak season.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated camping areas. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, one camper found "We LOVED our site (site 9). It was absolutely massive! The photo doesn't do it justice. It was set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site!"
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, several campgrounds maintain good standards. "The bathrooms were fine. They were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper," notes one Kenneth L Wilson camper. At Whip O Will Campsites, visitors appreciate the "extremely nice staff" who "came out to check on us individually to make sure we were okay" after a storm.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campers report animal sightings. At Phoenicia Black Bear Campground, one camper shares, "In the morning we woke up to a baby bear walking on our campsite. We kept our distance but that was definitely a thrill." The campground lives up to its name with regular bear sightings.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies across campgrounds. At Kenneth L Wilson, "There was no cell service in the campground," reports one visitor. This is common throughout the region, particularly at more remote sites like Echo Lake.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking. For Devil's Tombstone Campground, "for reservation you have to book 2 days ahead. Do not come during the summer because it is swamped here and it the busiest time," advises Phillip L.
Fire regulations: Fire rings or fireplaces are provided at most sites. At Devil's Tombstone, "The fireplaces at each site are cleaned out in between visitors so that was nice," notes one camper. Firewood is available for purchase at most campgrounds, with prices around $5 per bundle.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, visitors find "a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities" making it "Amazing campground with perfectly spaced large sites."
Weekend activity planning: Campgrounds often schedule events during peak season. "This place had was huge and had a lot of things for kids to do. It had a little arcade, a nice lake, and playground," reports a Whip O Will camper. Weekends typically feature more organized activities than weekdays.
Proximity to water features: Sites near water attract families. "The lake is huge," notes Tara L. about North-South Lake, which offers swimming areas with designated depths for different age groups. For families wanting easier water access, request sites closer to beaches or ponds when booking.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Kenneth L Wilson, one visitor with "a VW Westfalia" had "no trouble pulling into our site. If we had something bigger, it might have been an issue." Check individual campground restrictions before booking.
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer basic electrical and water connections. At Rip Van Winkle, full connections are available, with one camper noting it was "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite."
Generator restrictions: Usage hours are limited at most campgrounds. Some, like Devil's Tombstone, prohibit generators entirely, making advance planning essential for power management.
