Looking for the best options for tent camping near West Shokan? Find the best tent camping sites near West Shokan. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
The campground is dedicated to the memory of Sam Pryor, an extraordinary conservationist whose life's work included bringing this project to fruition. More information about the campground can be found at https://americanalpineclub.org/gunks-campground
The American Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve are cooperatively managing the campground. Campground amenities include a pavilion and cooking area, bathhouse and restroom facilities, and circulation trails. There are 24 drive-in spots (one vehicle per site) and 26 walk-in spots. All sites accommodate up to two tents (and four people) per pad. Showers are $1 for 4 minutes and are coin-operated. No RVs, no trailers, and no vehicles over 22'.
Members receive a discount on their stay, you can register for membership through the American Alpine Club at www.americanalpineclub.org/join or through the Mohonk Preserve.
Campers may access Mohonk Preserve, New York State's largest nonprofit nature preserve, via a connector trail to the Preserve's Visitor Center and historic carriage road network for world-class rock climbing and bouldering, hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and nature exploration. Memberships and day-use passes are available at the Visitor Center and all Preserve trailheads.
Peekamoose Valley: The Peekamoose Valley (County Route 42 in the Town of Denning) is a popular rustic camping area. Camping permits are now required to reserve primitive tent sites from May 15- September 15 of each year. Camping is restricted to reserved, designated campsites marked with the yellow camping symbol. Visit Reserve America (leaves DEC website) to make a reservation.
Lower Field: Camping is restricted to 12 designated sites. Permits can be obtained from Reserve America.
There are five lean-tos as well as five primitive campsites marked with round, yellow, DEC markers. In addition, primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from the regional office.
Camping is prohibited above 3,500 feet in elevation from March 22 until December 20 each year to protect the fragile summit environment. Campfires are permitted below 3,500 feet in elevation, but only dead and down fuel may be used. In an established campsite, use the existing fire ring. Before you leave, completely extinguish the fire. Never leave a fire unattended. The use of camp stoves is encouraged.
$20 - $42 / night
Camp on the Esopus Creek in the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley surrounded by seven 3500' Catskill High Peaks including Slide Mountain, the tallest in the Catskills.
Our PRIVATE camp (no other campers) is situated on 100 acres of land in the middle of the Catskill State Park. We are the closest private Dyrt site to Slide Mountain, the Catskills tallest peak at 4180 feet. A perfect base camp for some of the best hiking in the Catskills, the site is bordered by Forever Wild Forest and is minutes from the trailheads to Balsam, Giant Ledge, Panther, Big Indian, Slide Mountain and dozens more peaks within 30 minutes or so away.
You can walk to a swimming hole on a winding path through a wildflower meadow blazed with rock cairns along a half mile of private waterfront. Try your luck at catching some wild Brook Trout on the world famous Esopus Creek!
Our drive up camp has a 4-6 person prospector type tent, a 10X12 covered tent platform, several individual tent sites with private fire rings, as well as a bunkhouse and a leanto for day use. The camp table and cook pit are covered from the elements. The main tent includes a wood burning stove, folding card table and seating for 4 and bunk bed with 4" thick self-inflating Therm-a-rest MondoKing 3D XXL Queen sized insulated mats for luxurious comfort.
Open Network WiFi (no UN/PW needed) is available at the Campkeeper home a short woods walk away. Seasoned bundled 16" firewood is available by honor box cash payment on Brown rd across the camp entry road.
Rules:
'Almost' anything goes. Learn about 'pack-in pack-out/leave no trace camping' and the 'leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures' motto. Due to local laws, no music or noise louder than 60 decibels is allowed which is about as loud as conversation with 20 people in a restaurant, an office of 20 people speaking or being on the phone, background music typically heard in restaurants and public spaces, an air conditioning unit at 100 feet. Our site is to be best enjoyed for the sounds that do exist naturally, the many birds singing their song, the babbling Esopus Creek, the rustling leaves on the trees. Ask questions, I will always answer anything about camping and am thrilled to share my knowledge.
Extras:
-Arrive to a dry campfire stack mini bonfire for your evening's entertainment. Full of dry kindle and fire starter, just light it and enjoy! The stack will be made of about 20 pieces built up teepee style and will be covered from the elements. If you will be camping for more than one night, please specify how many or which night(s) you would like the fire setup for . Dry campfire stack is $25.00
-I have several tents available including a large 5 person Eureka! Copper Canyon tent for $15.00, and 4 two person backpacking tents (Eureka! Timberline, Eureka! Prism, 2 Gazelle tents, and Moss Starlet tent) for $10.00 each.
-I have 4 comfortable 2" thick Therm-a-rest Camprest foam and air mattresses for $8.00 each.
Inquire about the extras when you book the site. Extras can be paid for in cash after you arrive.
$130 / night
$15 - $45 / night
Getaway Campgrounds offers a modern, immersive outdoor experience for today’s camper. Each campsite is built for comfort, with clean and modern amenities designed to help you soak in your surroundings.
Our campsites are about 200 square feet with approximately 10’ by 10’ of space for a tent. Each campsite is surrounded by nature and offers a secluded, covered structure complete with a picnic table, hammock, fire pit, and Adirondack chairs.
You’ll also have a kitchenette fit for cooking with a propane burner (plus propane canister), and essentials including oil, salt + pepper, dishware, cutlery, and non-perishable provisions for purchase.
Plus, private bathroom suites (hot shower, toilet, and sink) are nearby.
$79 - $119 / night
Traveler
The camp is set up in a “blank slate, parking lot” type style, with a big field, center for tent camping or to be used for sports or other activities. There’s a “lazy river” at one side and a small RV village on the other, and tent sites with water or dry tent camping. Restrooms are available with hot and cold running water, showers and toilets.
Scout
Great first tent camping experience for kids. Lots of activities, clean restrooms. One thing to keep in mind is the tent sites on the opposite side of the road from the river has no shade. Site gets pretty hot on a sunny day. Sites by the river have some shade.
Scout
Mainly an RV ground, but they have about 10-15 great tent sites back beyond the RV area. There are water spigots near all the tent sites and they are nice and spread out. They have special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo
Scout
We used to go here all the time. This season there are people living in RV’s in the tent camping area for the full season. That’s no problem, but their outside light decorations really are. The last time we were there, it was so bright at night from the lighting decorations that we didn’t need a flashlight to get around. I am seriously not exaggerating at all. It’s a beautiful campground with a lovely little river running through it. I really hope that the owners reconsider allowing all of the outside light decorations on the RV’s in the tent camping sites.
Traveler
Very well run, well spaced, drive-in sites suitable for tent camping as well as rvs. Spotless clean showers, wash areas, toilets. Excellent hiking of all classifications.
Guide
Campsite was cozy trees were amazingly huge. Camp tent sites better than trailer sites. Very quiet and perfect.
Traveler
All types of sites. Kayaking, tubing. Tent sites on river. Knee deep. Bring your chair and cooler. Sit in river, enjoy
Guide
Located in the Catskills. This is a family friendly there’s bathrooms/showers playground, pool, potable water and a outdoor pavilion. Located near hiking in the Catskills and 15 mins to Woodstock.
The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent. When it rains theres a horrible smell across the campground.
Traveler
This is an older campground with several options. Only 6 sites with electric. 50 & 51 are nice & private. Lots of large tent sites, some in an open area & others fairly private. 4 tent pads with obstructed river views. Assorted cabins, mostly above the river. Restrooms small but pretty clean by state park standards.
Traveler
Had a great experience here, only one night at tent site. Site was a bit small, but overall place was very clean & taken care of. Booking online can be a bit confusing, I had to call for explanation. Overall I would recommend this place & would definitely go again.
Ranger
Wooded private sites, some right along water. Basic state park setup, modern bathrooms, tent camped, nice and strict about bear policies. Borrowed a kayak from a friendly neighbor and really enjoyed exploring the small pond. Easy trail around pond too. Good place to stay and spend a weekend taking it easy or while you do other things around this area. Ranger was especially nice & helpful.
TravelerWe chose Korn's because it was close to home on our first trip in years.
It was a great time from check in to check out.
We had a nice tent site ( 92 ) along the river. I called myself captain planet because I fished a coffee cup from the river.
Will definitely be staying again
Legend
Ashley here from The Dyrt! It's been great working with this non-profit organization. They offer 4 private tent sites and 50 acres of scenic hiking trails. Campsites are spaced out, feel private, and offer all of the amenities (grill, chairs, picnic table). Restroom and hot water close by. Check them out and leave them some love!
Guide
We’ve been to So-hi a couple of times - the RV sites are great - everything you could need not too close to your neighbors, wooded, and plenty of washroom facilities. There are some nice lakes and the wooded tent camping sites are gorgeous - nestled at the back amongst little streams. The “extras” - playground and fishing, have seen better days and could do with a fix up but our 6 year old loved them anyway. Nice people good place.
Scout
Only place still run like a family campground should be run. Wonderful owners. All campers were kind. Very quiet place at night. I stayed 4 days and it was great. Yes I did have to mail a check for my reservation. Most of the sites are seasonal and there are very nice tent sites as well. Bathrooms and campground were very clean also. I will be returning to this great place.
Scout
Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins. Small store in park that sells firewood and ice and a few other things you may need. Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails. Bathrooms on site as well as showers. Some sites are close together, but there are a few a little more secluded and set back. Fire pits are great. Can’t wait to camp here again!
Traveler
Nice quiet campsite. The majority of the trailer/RV's here are seasonal people. Under new ownership (very nice young couple) as of August 2021 and they plan to make many upgrades to the campground. The roads are tight for larger trailers/RV's and some sites are very hard to get into. 20 & 30 amp service available with water at nearly every site. No sewers. You can dump nearby at Mongaup State Park if needed. The tent camping spots are very nice and very secluded. Very limited cell service on site. WiFi only near the campsite office.
Scout
I’ve been coming to Uncle Pete’s for the last 15 years. Very reasonably priced and a 2 minute drive from the center of town. Car camping so you can park right next to where you sleep, makes dining and sleeping comfortable very easy. Plenty of creekside tent sites that offer a large section of riverfront. Large baseball field and playgrounds for kids. Each site comes with an electric hookup, fire pit and picnic tables. Cheap firewood can be bought up front at the bathrooms. Becky and Danny are super accommodating!!
TravelerNo pool, play ground, dirt sites. This campground caters to river rafting. If you want a prime tent site (one near the river) you need to pay for river rafting packages. There is no enforcement of noise, and it seems no limits to people per campsite (larges parties on the sites.) Only two bath houses so they can get pretty overwhelmed when the campground is busy. Security is a big concern, gates are open along the campground from the road so anyone can enter and leave all hours of the night. Will not be returning.
Traveler
Taconic State Park has a beautiful campground. No electric hookups, but plenty of water and tent sites are available with very large platforms. Bathroom facilities are adequate. There are 2 dog friendly loops at the back. Overall, very quiet and friendly.
2 lIfeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of. Very short hike (or drive) to the beautiful Bash Bish falls
If you are traveling with a dog, be sure to bring proof of rabies— they ask.
Fees are $15 residents and $20 non residents plus processing fees.
GuideThis campground was one of the best I’ve been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14, 2018) which was when we were there. The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low.
The town of Hudson is also close by if you’re looking to get some of the comforts of a town while you’re out and about.
RangerThere are a mix of platform and regular tent sites as well as some camper sites. We stayed on a platform site, which I questioned the structural integrity of after looking underneath lol… it held up though and there were also some new platforms which looked nice. Sites are a little close together for my liking. Luckily we checked out early before the weekend started so it was peaceful for us. The bathhouse was awesome! New building and it wasn’t a communal shower area with all the stalls in one room, there were all separate rooms each with their own bathroom and shower stall. Overall I would recommend if you’re not looking for too much peace and quiet.
Traveler
I have been camping at Jerry’s for over 10 years now. The owner is friendly and stops to chat often with us each time we go. The campground is VERY rustic with little to no amenities. There are tent sites, seasonal sites for RVs, group tent & RV sites and group/pavilion sites. There are little to no sites with electric/water hook ups however, there is a centrally located water spout to use. There are bathrooms/wash houses- they are cleaned once or twice a day but honestly, they get filthy. Jerry’s is a good place for a great time with friends; large groups usually visit Jerry’s year after year. No one bothers you and everyone respects the rules, most of the time. ☺️ We have taken our children there often but I wouldn’t recommend or call it family friendly. The location is beautiful and about 2 hours from NYC.
Guide
We recently had the pleasure of staying at Mountain Top and were were impressed by the exceptional experience and service provided by the owners. The newly upgraded camp infrastructure elevated the stay, providing amenities for comfort and entertainment. The family-friendly atmosphere was evident through the thoughtfully designed property, including an updated pool, playground, game room, and a brand-new pickleball court that added a unique touch to the stay. The investment in new 50amp wiring, upgraded sewer systems, and newer water lines provided convenient camping experience. Overall, this campground exceeded expectations, offering a blend of modern convenience and family-oriented fun that made our stay memorable.
The video posted shows the full hook-up area. The water and electric sites and tent sites were tucked away in a more wooded environment.
Guide
We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at This site from July 24-26 2020, at site 58 on Loop C. It was almost completely full that weekend, with a bit of coming and going. Campsites 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.
Campsite is flat and packed dirt instead of gravel, which was great. There's a standard picnic table and a decent raised fire pit, and a spigot at our site. Bathrooms were a bit of a hike, but they were clean and had plenty of signage advising people during the pandemic. The park staff were keeping things really clean as well.
Check-in was easy, if you bring a pet make sure you have your paperwork with you, they do actually look at it.
RangerHad a great summer camping weekend at Little Pond.
Pros:
- Near wonderful, little-used hiking trails - challenging ones, too!
- Close to Catskill town options to explore, e.g. Livingston Manor
- picnic table and room to park at your site
- there is a dump station and recycling center.
- Clean bathrooms and shower facilities
- Nice tent sites with well-maintained fire pits (have rack for grilling over coals, very large fire pits, sturdy)
- payphone near entrance/park ranger's office
- firewood for sale at ranger's office
-wildlife: hummingbirds on the path around Little Pond, frogs, deer, birds
- foraging: plaintain, raspberries near camp, blueberries and huckleberries on hike
- views on hike
- ruins on hike
Cons
- no cell service, however, if you hike to a mountain top can have fun joking with those you call about that's what it took to be able to get a signal and be in touch with them :-)
- weekend around the lake is more like a park with day-trippers, as opposed to serene wilderness/lakeside camping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a high school group (on Satuday?) there that made it feel more like a family/public place than a wilderness getaway. The hiking, however, more than made up for it. The trail we took to get to the top and, at last, have cell phone service and AWESOME views more than made up for that.
The Park Rangers were helpful and unobtrusive. They drove their carts around periodically but not like they were hovering in any one spot or making trouble for anyone.
We like visiting the nearby towns and breweries. It was a wondrful weekend. They have some tent sites right on the lake for hike-ins. If you drive, you have to carry all your stuff for awhile before you get to yourcamp site. However, these are right on the lake in supreme spots, even with "old school" outhouses a stone's throw away.
I recommend Little Pond for a weekend. If you stay longer, be sure to check out the surrounding area. We stayed at campsite 2, which was ok, but not on the lake. Go for a site on the lake, even if you have to carry your stuff to set up, it was breathtaking in the morning to see the mist rising off the lake.
From the park:
Campground Phone:(845) 439-5480 Regional Office Phone:(607) 652-2032 Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Little Pond is a quiet picturesque campground located in the Catskill Forest Preserve which offers a leisurely hiking trail around a 13-acre pond, and the opportunity to venture along trails leading to the ruins of an old farm or enjoy breathtaking views atop the Touchmenot Mountains.
The campgrounds, beach, boat rental, and Junior Naturalist Program offers fun for all ages; and for the primitive camper, we offer remote sites on the back side of the pond. Little Pond is located minutes from Beaverkill, a world renowned fly fishing stream. Amenities = 67 tent and trailer sites; 8"remote" tent sites; picnic area with tables, grills, or fireplaces; pavilion rental; playground; volleyball; horseshoes; soccer; basketball; ice sales; firewood sales; flush toilets; hot showers; trailer dump station; recycling center; sand beach; boat launch; rowboat, paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals.
The campground offers accessible campsites with a mile long trail around the pond. A newly constructed ADA fishing platform is at the end of the trail near the day use area. There is also a new ADA path to the beach. Full listing of DEC's Accessible Recreation Destinations. Campsite Restoration Project This campground has sites that have been selected for restoration. While undergoing restoration the chosen sites will be closed. For the list of sites and more information on the project visit the Campsite Restoration Project page. People using the accessible trail at Little Pond Featured Activities boating Boating No motor boats allowed. Rowboats and canoes allowed. Rowboat, paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals available. fishing Fishing A variety of pan fish.
The Beaverkill, renowned fly fishing stream, is with minutes from the campground. The Pepacton Reservoir is also close by. A special permit is needed to fish in this reservoir and can be obtained from the city of New York Board of Water Supply. Record sized brown trout and smallmouth bass have been caught in the reservoir. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
Hiking Trailheads for both the campground trail and Little Pond trail are located within the campground. These trails connect the campground to the 33 miles of foot trails located on the 27,000+ acre Delaware Wild Forest, which boarders the campground to the north. swimming
Wildlife to Watch: White-tailed deer Wild turkeys Bald eagles Bears Coyotes Foxes
Historic Interest: The campground was constructed between 1965 and 1968. It opened for camping in 1968 with 67 sites; the picnic area and the beach in 1968. The 8 remote sites were added at a later date. The shower house was constructed in 1984. In celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the Forest Preserve in July 1985, a time capsule was buried in the campground. This capsule, containing the names of the persons camping in the campground at that time, was entombed in the base of a stone monument located in front of the facility supervisor's office. The capsule is scheduled to be opened on the 200th anniversary of the Forest Preserve.
Legend
Spent two nights here in late August of 2021. The campsites all have fire pits with grills and picnic tables. There's a full time campsite host, showers, bathrooms, and a trash room.
Pros:
- some of the sites are right by a stream, and all of them have plenty of shade
- campsite was clean and well maintained
- campsite hosts were friendly and helpful
- tons of nice hiking trails nearby
- restrooms were clean
Cons:
- some of the sites are pretty close together. Our"neighbors" both nights were pretty quiet, but if they weren't, it could have been noisy.
- while the bathrooms were clean, the showers definitely weren't. Bring you shower sandals!
- It can get a little busy on the weekends, so worth reserving in advance.
We were camping in a VW Westfalia, so we had no trouble getting in and out. Something bigger might have a problem with some of these sites. They're definitely intended to be tent sites.
Tent camping near West Shokan, New York, offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near West Shokan, NY is Giant Ledge Primitive Camp with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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