170 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The western Catskills region surrounding Walton, New York features a mix of established campgrounds and primitive sites within a 30-mile radius. Bear Spring Mountain DEC campground in nearby Downsville provides drive-in access for both tents and RVs with full hookup options, while Little Pond Campground in Andes offers a more secluded experience with waterfront sites and remote walk-in options. Beals Pond State Forest provides free dispersed camping for those seeking a more primitive experience. Oquaga Creek State Park Campground in Bainbridge and Peaceful Valley Campsite in Downsville round out the options with cabin rentals and glamping accommodations alongside traditional camping sites.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from mid-May through early October, with limited winter access. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many campers reporting no signal at locations like Little Pond. According to one visitor: "There is no cell service as soon as you turn into the park. I didn't even find an area where I could temporarily send and receive messages." Reservations are recommended for established campgrounds, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. The region experiences typical Northeast weather patterns with hot, occasionally humid summers and cold winters. Many forest roads leading to primitive sites may require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rainfall when conditions deteriorate.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently positive reviews, with pond and river access being major draws. At Beaverkill Campground, one camper noted: "I loved how close the river was to our campground, only a few steps away." Privacy levels vary considerably between sites, with some campgrounds offering spacious, well-separated sites while others place campers in closer proximity. Wildlife sightings, including deer, bears, and various bird species, are commonly reported. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to larger trail networks in the surrounding state forests and preserves. Fishing opportunities abound in the area's ponds, streams, and rivers, with the Beaverkill stream particularly noted for its fly fishing. Most established campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water.
"Went here with some friends who had never been outside NYC before. They were absolutely blown away. For me, it was a nice site but not exceptional. Bring or rent a kayak!"
"I drove to NYC for a business trip and ended up driving 1 and a half hour to reach this place. I always carry a tent in the back of my trunk and decided to go camping."
from $18 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Pros: Near wonderful, little-used hiking trails - challenging ones, too!
- Close to Catskill town options to explore, e.g."
"You can see a picture here of the water just a 10 foot trail away from our campsite. All in all a great trip."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"Great little lake for swimming & fishing. Weather was miserable so proximity to Cooperstown was a plus. No cell service or wifi which didnt bother me but could some."
"Cute cabins sprinkled all around the park. Lake with a nice beach and swimming area. Carry in boating. Great for tents or self contained RV."
from $21 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Great location with full hook-ups. Nice riverside spots. Quiet during the week. Nice place to stay"
"Great location with nice riverside spots. Weekdays are quiet, weekends not so much. Full hook-ups. Owners are friendly and great. Reccomended, especially during the week."
"A bit off the beaten path for a KOA, but nearly sold out in early October nonetheless. Sites range from typical large rig to dispersed tents next to a creek."
"We were right next to a small brook, and falling asleep to the sound of the water behind our tent was amazing. Everyone we met was super friendly. We will definitely be back!"
"As close to nature as possible with modern conveniences still nearby. Terri and her gang do a great job of running her Dad's adventure."
"Great access to the beaverkill. It’s perfect for a quick getaway."
"This was the sweetest campground around!! They deliver fire wood right to your site along with anything else you need."
"Great for kids, kinda close to busy roads but close to convenient shopping and local activities when they open back up."
"This campground was so pleasant, very clean and quiet, I loved how close the river was to our campground, only a few steps away."
"Bathrooms were very cleaned and everybody respected COVID-related social distancing. Would come again!"
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWe were looking for a campsite on our way up north and we’re so happy to find this one. While it is a commercial site. It is located in the woods. It has full hook up and portable water at the site. We couldn’t be happier with a warm welcome we received late at night and the cleanliness of the bathrooms and each site. I would highly recommend this campsite.
TravelerThis was the sweetest campground around!! They deliver fire wood right to your site along with anything else you need. Free delivery of amazing pizza on Friday nights(delivered by a 1969 pink beetle!!). There is a giant river, a dog park and the camp ground is close to town, but far enough away so that you still feel like your camping! Amazing bathroom/shower facilities and a clean swimming pool:)
TravelerOnly one spot as far as we could tell. We arrived 5.30PM and no one was there. There was quite a deep dip in the beginning of the side road, so higher clearance needed to get there. Nice spot between the trees, lots of shade, clean. Felt safe. There was a firepit. Bring bug repellent!
GuideStayed for 2 nights in June and it was delightful. Facilities were very clean, had flush toilets and showers, and the trails around the pond were great for my dog. Sites were well maintained, but a little close together for my preference. We stayed at site 146. Would definitely come back and hope to get a site along the pond next time!
ScoutGilbert Lake State Park is located about 11 miles north of Oneonta, New York. I have camped here for a number of summers at their Hilltop Section, never dissapointed. There are a few trails that traverse the park for a few miles that are always green and shady. The lake offers swimming and kayaking. There is a concession stand and even a small museum that chronicles the efforts of the national CCC program under Roosevelt that constructed the park in the 1930's. After a long day of hiking, the campgrounds hot showers offer a great reprieve.
ScoutNow that All Star Baseball purchased this Oneonta campground this year, don't expect to stay here if you are not a baseball family. I went there in person yesterday for two nights at their"primitive" tent sites. After Hanna checked her computer, my dates were all cleared...great, then let me pay the $70... but no... she had to check with management first. I thought that was strange since that never happened to me before when getting any campsites elsewhere. I was told I'd be called later that day but nobody called me. I went back the next day only to be told all sites for the summer were rented out. Clearly that was not true based on her computer check the day before. BOTTOMLINE: if you are not a baseball family spending $1000's here, don't expect to even get the time of day. Therefore, they do not deserve anyone's business.
ScoutTwo weeks in and the staff and people are so kind.
GuideOur site had a lot of space. Watched a video on YouTube that was a walk through of each site. So peaceful. Lots of good hiking. Sinks for dishes, clean bathrooms and showers.
ScoutWe have camped for years all over the Northeast and have never experienced campground staff as rude, patronizing, and overbearing as we did at Devil’s Tombstone Campground. It felt like our group was constantly being watched and corrected over every minor thing imaginable instead of simply being treated like paying guests trying to enjoy the weekend. The campground itself was disappointing, but the staff attitude was by far the worst part of the experience. Unless you want to be nitpicked every time you do literally anything, then you might not want to camp here.
Campsites near Walton, New York sit in the western Catskills at elevations between 1,200-2,200 feet. The region features a mix of hardwood forests, rolling hills, and meandering waterways with cool nights even during summer months. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping requires additional cold-weather gear due to nighttime temperatures that can drop below 40°F.
Hiking trails access: Tall Pines Campground offers easy access to multiple trail systems. "We were able to access several great hiking trails directly from our campsite without driving anywhere," reports one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Bear Spring Mountain — DEC provides excellent trout fishing in streams that remain cold even during summer months. "Nothing but woods all around! Endless hiking and beautiful steams - you can drink straight from the pipes!" notes Kimberly S.
Wildlife viewing: At Russell Brook Campsites, you'll find abundant wildlife in the surrounding forests. "Our site was massive (39) and had direct access to Russell Brook. Couldn't keep my son out of the water. Very peaceful. Felt like we had the place to ourselves," shares Mike C.
Swimming access: Oquaga Creek State Park offers a dedicated swimming area with lifeguards during peak season. "Nice park with area loops that all have a central bath house. Lake with a nice beach and swimming area. Carry in boating," reports Mary H.
Privacy between sites: Little Pond Campground offers walk-in sites that provide greater seclusion. "We had a walk in site and it was fantastic! Right on the water and pretty private. Each walk in site has its own bear box and outhouse," writes Lauren S.
River sounds: At Beaverkill Campground, many sites sit directly along the water. "The site we had was right on the river, so it was pretty and the sound of the water was pleasant," notes Guy M.
Star gazing: Oquaga Creek State Park provides excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "You can kayak and swim in the lake, and see incredible stars at night. Would recommend bringing your bikes," writes Ann F.
Clean facilities: Bear Spring Mountain maintains well-kept bathrooms and common areas. "Clean, private, and quiet! We had a blast!!" shares Amanda P.
Cell service limitations: Beals Pond State Forest has no cellular coverage in most areas. "This state forest is beautiful but not easily accessible in the winter. After a certain point, the road is not maintained in the winter and I was unable to get cell reception with Verizon," reports Joshua M.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences rapid temperature changes, particularly in spring and fall. Overnight lows can drop below 40°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s.
Bear safety requirements: Russell Brook Campsites enforces strict food storage rules. "Just Wonderful. Have stayed at RB multiple times over the years since Charlie ran the place. It's an awesome visit to the woods. As close to nature as possible with modern conveniences still nearby," writes Brian J.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds in the region require reservations 2-6 months in advance for summer weekends, while weekday availability remains better throughout the season.
Kid-friendly water features: Tall Pines Riverfront Campground offers dedicated swimming areas for children. "I have been coming here since I was a kid and now take my family too. My 3 year old loves the swimming pool and the ice cream and craft carts that come around," says Abigayle R.
Equipment recommendations: For walk-in sites at Little Pond Campground, bring gear with wheels. "Do recommend bringing something with wheels. It's not too far from the parking lot, but it's far enough to be annoying to carry everything," suggests Lauren S.
Activity options: Oquaga Creek State Park provides family-oriented recreation beyond camping. "Memorial Day weekend, campground was full but never felt crowded. Sites are large with a good buffer, fire ring & grill. Good mix of tent & trailer. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Great little lake for swimming & fishing," writes Cheryl S.
Wildlife education: Bear Spring Mountain offers opportunities to spot local wildlife safely. "Lots of wildlife! There are two areas for camping, check out both though one smells kind of like a barn. Site was typical of state park campgrounds, all up to expectations. Obey bear rules!" advises Amber A.
Site selection: Unadilla KOA offers premium waterfront sites for larger rigs. "It looks like permanent campers take up most of the real estate along the stream, but we lucked out with a spot one row back with two empty sites in front of us. With the autumn foliage, it was a spectacular camp site. No problems getting out 40ft coach parked," reports Laura H.
Power adapter requirements: Some campgrounds require specific power adapters. "The tent sites with electric like the one we took used 240v 50A plugs, so we had to borrow a converter plug from the office for our 120v equipment," notes Deborah W. at Unadilla KOA.
Off-season advantages: Visiting in early spring or late fall offers greater site selection and fewer crowds. "Weekdays are quiet, weekends not so much. Full hook-ups. Owners are friendly and great. Recommended, especially during the week," shares Dave S. about Peaceful Valley Campsite.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some campgrounds. "Our site had a nice concrete pad, but the parking spot was mud. In fact, we could never get level because our blocks kept sinking," warns Sue G. about Tall Pines Riverfront Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Walton, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Walton, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 170 campgrounds and RV parks near Walton, NY and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Walton, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Walton, NY is Bear Spring Mountain — DEC with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Walton, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Walton, NY.
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