Glamping in Walton, New York offers visitors access to the Western Catskills region, with elevations ranging from 1,200-2,000 feet and a humid continental climate. Summer temperatures typically average 75-85°F during the day, cooling to 55-65°F overnight. Fall camping season extends through mid-October when night temperatures can drop below 40°F, requiring additional insulation for tent campers.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access 6+ mile trails directly from Alder Lake campsites, with opportunities to reach the Balsam Lake fire tower for panoramic views. A camper mentioned, "The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely."
Lake activities: Paddle on Oquaga Creek's lake with carry-in watercraft access. According to one visitor, "You can kayak and swim in the lake, and see incredible stars at night. Would recommend bringing your bikes."
Off-grid experience: Disconnect completely at Oquaga Creek State Park Campground, where many visitors appreciate the lack of cell service. One camper noted, "Oquaga is a great campground if you want to get off-the-grid for a little while. There are plenty of well-marked trails to hike. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked."
Water activities: Wade in Russell Brook at multiple access points for children to cool off on hot days. "Our site was massive (39) and had direct access to Russell Brook. Couldn't keep my son out of the water," shared one visitor.
What campers like
Waterfront accommodations: Fall asleep to flowing water at Russell Brook Campsites, where sites are positioned along streams. One camper described, "Every site is well-equipped with its own water, electricity, fire pit, and picnic table. The best part is the waterfront sites. We were right next to a small brook."
Clean facilities: Access well-maintained bathrooms across most campgrounds, with regularly cleaned shower facilities. "Bathrooms were very clean every time we needed them, and they were easy to access from the tent sites," noted a guest at Roscoe Campsites.
Peace and quiet: Enjoy seclusion at several sites, particularly during mid-week visits when crowds thin. "Nice place. Only ever been during mid week and the place is empty which is nice," reported one camper about Roscoe Campsites.
Spacious sites: Set up with plenty of room at certain locations. A visitor to Alder Lake explained, "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Plan for no cell service at most natural campsites near Walton. "No cell service or wifi which didn't bother me but could some," reported a camper at Oquaga Creek.
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature swings as fall approaches, with potential for significant overnight cooling. A reviewer noted about Unadilla KOA, "The weather was terrible while I was there... I think people were heading south fast like me."
Access roads: Check vehicle clearance for remote sites, especially with RVs. "It 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," warned an Alder Lake visitor.
Weekend crowds: Anticipate fuller campgrounds Friday-Sunday, particularly at lake access points. "When we got to our site the sewer pipe was buried and we didn't know where it was," mentioned one camper about holiday weekend logistics.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Choose campgrounds with designated beaches for supervised water access. A visitor to Chenango Valley State Park Campground shared, "The beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids."
Wildlife viewing: Watch for deer at dawn around campsites, particularly in wooded areas. "We had four that were feeding behind our site in the morning," noted a Chenango Valley camper.
Bike-friendly options: Bring bicycles for exploring campground roads safely away from highway traffic. One visitor recommended, "Bring your bikes. Great that the campground is just far enough from the lake/park, which makes it a bit more private."
Seasonal activities: Check campground schedules for family programming from May through October. A visitor to Crazy Acres Campground commented, "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Confirm electrical requirements before arrival, as some campgrounds use non-standard outlets. "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," advised a Unadilla KOA visitor.
Site selection: Request outer loop locations for more trees and shade. "We usually prefer sites on the outer part of a loop, and this was no exception. The sites have more trees," suggested a camper.
Spacing considerations: Research site dimensions carefully if privacy is important. "It was a good thing that we had friendly neighbors as we could step from our camper into theirs," reported one RVer about tighter accommodations.
Winter preparation: Most campgrounds close by October 31 with limited exceptions. Seasonal closures typically begin mid-October when overnight temperatures consistently drop below freezing.
