The Catskill Mountains near Windham, New York sit at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with cooler evenings, while spring and fall bring temperature fluctuations that require layered clothing. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October, though winter camping options exist for experienced cold-weather campers.
What to do
Hiking Vromans Nose: Located near Max V. Shaul State Park Campground, this moderate 1.2-mile trail rewards hikers with panoramic valley views. A camper noted, "There's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose."
Lake activities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers swimming, fishing, and boat rentals on its clean, well-maintained lake. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," reports one visitor.
Stargazing opportunities: The Catskills region offers excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. As one camper at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground described, "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Wildlife observation: Many campgrounds maintain natural habitats that attract diverse bird species and wildlife. A visitor to Country Roads Campground mentioned, "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."
What campers like
Private sites: Campers consistently mention appreciation for well-spaced sites. A visitor to Max V. Shaul State Park Campground said, "The Max V. Shaul State Park is small and quiet - only 30 sites here, which are large, flat and sited well apart from each other."
Clean facilities: Modern bathroom facilities rank high on camper satisfaction. One guest at Nickerson Park Campground observed, "Groups of sites sit on level terraces stepped down toward the river. The center area of each grouping of sites had a common use area with tether ball, playgrounds, privies, or additional parking."
Proximity to towns: The convenience of nearby towns for supplies appeals to many campers. A visitor noted about Brookside Campground: "Stayed here for a few days while on a week long trip. The bathroom and bathhouse were a bit run down looking from the outside, but inside they were updated and clean."
Wooded settings: The natural forest environment enhances the camping experience. A camper at Nickerson Park said, "Campsite was cozy trees were amazingly huge. Camp tent sites better than trailer sites. Very quiet and perfect."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October. According to a camper at Alder Lake, "We stayed three nights in late October. Grabbed one of the two vehicle accessible campsites along the road which had some very light traffic."
Reservation requirements: Advanced booking is recommended, especially for luxury glamping in Windham, New York during peak summer weekends. Sites fill quickly from June through August.
Water quality varies: Water systems differ across campgrounds. One camper reported at Nickerson Park: "THE WATER! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! I'm guessing the new owners didn't do as much as the previous owners as far as water treatments. It smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored."
Weather considerations: The mountain location means rapid weather changes are possible. A camper at Brookside Campground noted, "During the heavy rains water flowed down the roadways due to the clay based soil and looked like it pooled up in places near the tent areas."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools ideal for children. A visitor to Brookside Campground shared, "I went last year with my kids they loved the arcade small but it's a camp ground the playground area was nice."
Scheduled activities: Family-oriented events keep children entertained. A Country Roads camper mentioned, "They have special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo."
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds feature small farm animals that children can visit. As noted by a Brookside visitor, "Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese."
Safe environments: Parents appreciate security measures at campgrounds. A visitor to Treetopia Campground shared, "Treetopia is a unique and truly amazing camping/Glamping experience in the Catskills, New York! We were able to meet Betty, Treetopia's manager, who toured us around the campground and took us into each type of rental they provide."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. A visitor to Treetopia Campground advised, "I highly recommend the deck sites to people small to moderate sized RVs and for large rigs they have some big sites."
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary significantly between campgrounds. One Nickerson Park visitor mentioned, "We stayed for two nights mid-week in June and had the entire loop to ourselves. That made the experience a 5/5, but after seeing the site layout, it seems like accessibility could be an issue with high occupancy."
Terrain considerations: Uneven ground can present challenges for leveling. A Blue Mountain Campground visitor cautioned, "The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent."
Seasonal RV options: Some glamping in Windham offers winterized accommodations. Treetopia Campground provides insulated options with heating for off-season visits, according to their site information.
