The Ulster Park area sits in the Hudson River Valley at approximately 200 feet elevation with nearby Catskill peaks reaching over 4,000 feet. The camping season typically runs April through November, with average summer temperatures ranging between 65-85°F. Many campgrounds near Ulster Park offer creek and riverside sites, with several providing hiking access to the Catskill Forest Preserve's 700,000 acres of protected wilderness.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Minnewaska State Park, accessible from campgrounds like Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, offers numerous waterfall trails. "We stopped in Woodstock, NY on the way back which was a cute town. I would definitely come back to this campground," notes a visitor who appreciated the location's proximity to outdoor attractions.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Several campgrounds maintain stocked fishing areas for guests. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," explains a camper who enjoyed the water features.
Rock climbing access: The Shawangunk Mountains (known as "the Gunks") offer world-class rock climbing opportunities. "Located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area," notes a reviewer who stayed at the Samuel F. Pryor III campground.
Historical sites exploration: Presidential homes and estates are within driving distance of many campgrounds. A visitor to Interlake RV Park & Campground noted it was "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers praise the natural settings at Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground. "Site 71 was separated a little bit from other sites as you can see on the map which was so nice and also just a 20-second walk from the bathroom," writes a recent visitor.
Creek-side camping spots: Sites along creeks provide natural cooling and ambient sounds. At Woodland Valley Campground, "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."
Community atmosphere: Several campgrounds foster community connections through shared facilities. The Samuel F. Pryor III campground "eliminated fire rings at each site and opted for one, communal fire pit to encourage more social interaction," according to a reviewer who appreciated the setup.
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality matters to campers. A Kenneth L Wilson Campground visitor noted, "The bathrooms were fine. They were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper." Another mentioned, "The ladies that run this campground are absolute queens and were so nice and helpful."
What you should know
Black bear encounters: Bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, one camper reported, "It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. "There is no cell service in the campground," notes a visitor to Kenneth L Wilson Campground. Similarly, at Woodland Valley, a camper mentioned, "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises a visitor to North-South Lake Campground.
Firewood restrictions: Some campgrounds don't sell firewood on-site. "The campground does not sell wood, but rangers will direct you to a gas station close by where you can buy some," explains a Kenneth L Wilson Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused campgrounds: Some locations specialize in family activities. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time."
Swimming options: Lakes and pools offer cooling opportunities in summer heat. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," says a North-South Lake Campground visitor.
Nature-based learning: Several campgrounds offer educational programs. "Campgrounds are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy, but some of the other sites were literally next to the road," notes a Kenneth L Wilson Campground visitor describing site options for families.
Playground access: Many campgrounds maintain play equipment. North-South Lake Campground offers "many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single. Great place to camp," according to a visitor who enjoyed the family-friendly setup.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, a visitor warned about "a steep descent off the road, and there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs. This happened to our neighbor and it took out his RV sewer system."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between campgrounds. Mills Norrie State Park Campground offers "tent, RV, and cabin options along the Hudson River," while Woodland Valley Campground provides "public toilets, showers, public phone, picnic tables, grills, firewood (for sale), dump station."
Site privacy: RV sites may offer varying levels of seclusion. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, "sites are wooded, private and well situated. The campground is centrally located to many things to do," according to a visitor who appreciated the setup.
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