Camping opportunities in the Catskill Mountain region near West Shokan, New York range from 1,000 to 4,000 feet in elevation, with sites nestled in valleys and perched on ridges. The area receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and streams that run alongside many campsites. Night temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees below daytime highs, even in summer months.
What to do
Hiking to fire towers: Multiple trailheads within 30 minutes of West Shokan connect to the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge. "[The hike to] balsam lake fire tower had nice views of the area. Overall a great little spot to camp. Would definitely return," notes a visitor to Alder Lake.
Creek exploration: The numerous waterways provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and cooling off. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," shares a camper from Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Family activities: Organized events keep younger visitors entertained during peak season. "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there," reports a visitor to Jellystone Park Gardiner.
What campers like
Peaceful locations: Secluded sites offer respite from busier campgrounds. "There's no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream and we had a very peaceful weekend," mentions an Alder Lake visitor.
Natural water features: Streams, lakes, and ponds enhance the camping experience. "We had one [site] and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee," notes a Thousand Trails Rondout Valley guest.
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to natural water bodies. "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," writes a visitor at Jellystone Park.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathrooms and shower houses are frequently highlighted. "The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean," shares a visitor to Brookside Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping options near West Shokan, New York operate between April and November. "We stayed three nights in late October. Grabbed one of the two vehicle accessible campsites along the road which had some very light traffic," notes an Alder Lake visitor.
Site variations: Terrain and privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds and even within the same property. "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables," reports an Alder Lake visitor.
Popularity fluctuations: Weekends and holidays can transform quiet campgrounds into busy destinations. "If you're looking for a relaxing, quiet camping experience, this isn't the place for you," cautions one Alder Lake reviewer about holiday weekends when "the parking lot was already packed and cars were lined up along the road."
Weather preparedness: The mountain climate brings unpredictable conditions. "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roads ways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas," notes a Brookside Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Farm animals and wildlife viewing opportunities enhance family experiences. "Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese," mentions a visitor to Brookside Campground.
Playground proximity considerations: Choose sites based on noise preferences. "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up," advises a Lake Taghkanic State Park visitor.
Platform tent advantages: Some sites offer raised platforms that provide extra protection from wet conditions. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection," notes a Lake Taghkanic visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Come prepared with leveling equipment for uneven terrain. "Our site was even and easy to level on," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, but this varies significantly between sites and campgrounds.
Hookup variations: Check specific site amenities before booking. "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," mentions a Skyway Camping Resort visitor, highlighting the importance of understanding hookup positions.
Off-peak advantages: Shoulder season camping provides a different experience. "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was," reports a Thousand Trails Rondout Valley visitor who camped during a less busy period.
