Cabins near West Shokan, New York offer convenient access to outdoor recreation in the Catskill Mountains, where elevations range from 1,000 to 4,180 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Campsites throughout the area typically open from April through October, with some offering year-round cabin accommodations.
What to do
Fishing in local creeks: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley provides direct access to creek fishing. According to Kasey M., "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish."
Explore historical sites: Several significant historical attractions are within driving distance of Interlake RV Park & Campground. A visitor noted, "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
Hiking on nearby trails: The eastern Catskills offer extensive hiking options. A camper at Blue Mountain Reservation shared, "I went here with my friend and we were using it as our base camp as we went out in trails in the eastern Catskills notably the Devils Path, echo lake, etc. Its proximity to those trail heads was great."
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, "The park has a marina onsite with kayak rentals on the river," according to Michael G.
What campers like
Wooded, private campsites: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds receives praise for its natural setting. Kathy G. commented, "I was a little skeptical that we wouldn't get to choose our site, but you can't go wrong, they are all wooded, private and well situated."
Seasonal events: Many campgrounds host special activities throughout the camping season. At Blue Mountain Campground, one visitor mentioned seasonal programming, noting weekend events that create a festive atmosphere.
River and creek access: Water features are a highlight for many campers. Robert M. described his experience at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley: "We had one and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee."
Full amenities: Some properties offer extensive facilities. According to Jason E., Thousand Trails Rondout Valley is a "Nice, quiet place. Our site was up front and we didn't venture into the park. We did use the laundry room, which needed some updates, especially some lighting."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most cabin rentals near West Shokan operate seasonally. Willowemoc Campgrounds provides accommodations during the main camping season, typically April through October.
Site conditions vary: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for tents. At Blue Mountain Campground, one camper reported, "The tent sites are very rocky and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent."
Weekend noise levels: Larger campgrounds can get busy on weekends. A camper at Rondout Valley noted, "We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers. (At least they turned off the music at quiet hours)."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and cleanliness of facilities varies significantly between locations. One visitor to Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds mentioned, "The bathhouse is old but was adequate with hot showers."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for children: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive water recreation. Amanda S. shared, "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."
Playground access: Several campgrounds have dedicated play areas. A visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley reported, "This campground is great. Lots of activities a pool access, food court and basketball courts."
Organized activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained. Jennifer I. mentioned, "This campground is great for kids. It has an event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Quiet areas: For families seeking more peaceful settings, look for specific loops or areas. At Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds, Kyla B. noted, "We were over in 'Lover's Lane' so it was isolated on a separate loop. Couples only on this loop, no kids!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: RV sites at different campgrounds vary in levelness. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, campers reported that most sites are spacious and relatively level.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete hookups. At Interlake RV Park & Campground, David P. mentioned, "I stayed there for 3 weeks for work it was quite priced very reasonably for full hook up."
Internet access: Connectivity varies across locations. At Willowemoc Campgrounds, internet access may be limited, but Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers Wi-Fi, though quality can be inconsistent.
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds can handle substantial RVs, as one camper mentioned, "We ended up at this campground because the family we were traveling with needed to accommodate their 50 foot camper."
