Best Camping in and near Catskill State Park

97% (77 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Catskill adventure.

Escape the hustle of NYC with a retreat to the expansive Catskills.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Catskill State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Catskill State Park

One side of the grounds is steep hills and the other side is a creek. Central spots lack privacy.

97%

(16)

Woodland Valley Campground

65 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

Loved cooking at Beaverkill campground. They have a contained fire pit with an attached grill. I usually bring my own - but there's no need to here.

83%

(4)

Beaverkill Campground

83 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

Thankful I had a tarp because I got stuck in a downpour.

100%

(3)

Bear Spring Mountain Campground

38 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

100%

(13)

Mongaup Pond Campground

154 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

92%

(13)

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground

71 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

This is site 26, on the water - it was great! and kids loved the tadpoles, fish, and chipmunks.

100%

(6)

Little Pond Campground

68 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

100%

(5)

Devil's Tombstone Campground

22 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

100%

(17)

North/South Lake Campground

207 sites · RVs, Tents In Catskill State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Catskill State Park

95%

(11)

Hickory Hollow

2 sites · Tents9 acres · Jefferson Heights, NY

Welcome to Hickory Hollow! Located 7 minutes from the Town of Catskill, 25 minutes from Hudson, and just under the Catskill Mountains, Hickory Hollow is the perfect campsite to take full advantage of the Upper Hudson Valley. There are two campsites you can chose from, both in clearings that make for great star gazing. Camp 1 is deeper into the forest taking about two minutes to walk to from the parking area. Camp site 2 is only a one minute walk but much closer to the farm. If you are coming with a dog, I would recommend staying at Camp site 1, as the farms dogs are very vocal when there are new friends in the area. Each campsite comes with a fire pit, a grate for cooking, and a picnic table. There is parking provided and a composting outhouse. You will need to bring your own firewood, though there is plenty of available kindling. The property is 9 acres and I encourage guests to hike down to the stream and take a walk if they feel comfortable. If not there are so many hiking/swimming options nearby and I am happy to point you in the right direction. This property has a been a life long dream of mine, and is (in my opinion) the most beautiful place on earth. That being said there is a still a lot of work that I am doing since this is a very new endeavor. So please watch yourself if you do decide to stay. The Hollow is beautiful but also very steep, so please be careful while you walk the woods. Pets are welcome, but again, be safe. There is an abundance of wildlife in the Hollow (see if you can spot the porcupine) but that can be very distracting for dogs, so be cautious when letting them off lead. Check out https://www.instagram.com/0hickoryhollow/ for photos of the progress.

95%

(365)

Dreamland

3 sites · Tents18 acres · Saugerties, NY

Our woodland property bordering the Esopus creek is a serene and picturesque oasis nestled in the heart of the Mid Hudson Valley. While surrounded by lush forest, it offers easy access to hiking trails that wind through the natural beauty of the area, dinning and civilization (you'll even hear the train from time to time). But our property is more than just a gateway to outdoor adventures; it's a place of tranquility and natural wonder that deserves our utmost respect. With its close proximity to all the fun things the Hudson Valley has to offer, it's the perfect retreat for those seeking a harmonious blend of outdoor exploration and relaxation in a beautiful, pristine forest setting. DreamLand aka: Mugwort Express, boasts three enchanting campsites to choose from, each offering a unique experience. 1 - The Original Site: This campsite is perfect for adventurers who want quick access to the great outdoors. Wake up, jump in the car and hit the road for the great Catskills trails. It's the flattest site and the closets to parking, with under 1 minute walk to your car. 2 - Swing Side: Surrounded by towering trees and lush greenery, this campsite immerses you in the heart of our beautiful forest. It's the ideal choice for nature enthusiasts seeking a secluded and serene experience. Also with under 1 minute walk to your car. 3 - The RiverView: Nestled on a ridge some 80 feet above the river's edge, this campsite provides a tranquil escape with the soothing sounds of flowing water. It's our most adventurous site to get to with a good 10 to 15 minute "medium-difficulty" trek to get... A beautiful trek, not a leisurely stroll (Hint: pack light) but well worth the effort! No matter which campsite you choose, our property invites you to connect with nature, relax, and make lasting memories in this stunning woodland retreat.

100%

(24)

Amazing Creekside Camping

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Catskill, NY

An incredibly secluded campsite with several options for groups tucked into the woods, right next to your own private swimming hole, just ten minutes from the highway on a dead-end private road with no other homes from our property onward. Enjoy hiking through the woods, swimming in the creek and the nearby swimming holes, or trying your hand at fishing. There's enough space for 2-3 tents, a picnic table, solar-powered string lights and a rock The area is full of stuff to do with the towns of Catskill and Saugerties minutes away, Hunter Mountain and Phonecia only 30 minutes away.

97%

(224)

Cokertown Campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents83 acres · Red Hook, NY

We are opening our land to campers as a means of keeping the habitat mostly undisturbed . The land had been up for subdivision, with 12 new homes planned since it adjoins our other 17 wooded acres we purchased it to try and keep it natural. We want to share it with other peaceful nature loving beings. The lake is home to Kingfishers, Herons, a Great White Egret, Wood ducks, swans and Bald Eagles. Birdwatching haven Wooded lakefront camping in the heart of the Hudson Valley, on 64 acres. Close to the Hudson River, Bard college, historic villages of Rhinebeck and Red Hook. Dining, mansions, walks, hiking, bike trails, Antique shops, Culinary institute of America. Catskill mountains are just across the river with loads of attractions. Private 9 acre lake, we have a complimentary row boat for our guests to share. Bring your own kayaks but no swimming . Top picks of best nearby activities Griegs Farm pick your own and gourmet farm store 3 miles also 2 other pick your own farms within a 3 mile radius Rose hill farm and Mead farm. Village of Red Hook 5 miles (grocery store, restraunts, Shopping) Town of Rhinebeck 8 miles ( fancy shops, fancy dining, ) Zabriskies Waterfall. Bard college/Montgomery Place. 6 miles, Clermont state park, 9 miles Poets Walk 8 miles Olana Historic site 14 milesBash Bish State Park (waterfall ) 23 milesKaaterskill Falls 37 miles All human waste needs to be in the Porta Potty (provided by us) not on our property please . Absolutely no exceptions, (Unless you have your own portable toilet.) We thank you for adherence to these rules and so do our future campers. Our portable Potty is kept very clean emptied every week checked for cleanliness daily.

100%

(128)

Upper Shire Campsites Hudson Valley

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents22 acres · Hillsdale, NY

The Upper Shire Private Campsites in the Hudson Valley are on a gorgeous hill with a small pond surrounded by 22 acres of an old horse ranch. Located in Columbia County near the border of Massachusetts and New York. There are currently 5 unique camping areas located here. Each one is special due to its location on the hill. Check out our map and enjoy our spacious yet secluded campsites. This place comes with a relaxed atmosphere and is located near Catamount Ski Resort, Bash Bish Falls, Taconic State Park, Hudson NY, and Great Barrington, MA. If you plan on bringing a pet please be sure to add that fee to your booking under "extras" ($25) If you have additional guest(s) that would like to join you that fee is ($25 a night per person) and you will need to message us about how to arrange that. We have extra easy pop-up two person tents are available to rent ($15 for two nights) you can also find that option under "extras" along with bundles of firewood ($15)

100%

(1)

Rip Van Winkle Mountain View

4 sites · RVs3 acres · Claverack Red Mills, NY

Learn more about this land:Million dollar view of rip van winkle sleeping in the mountains. Future site of my home that I will be building in 2021. It is a very secluded space with privacy.

94%

(33)

Love Shack

1 site · Lodging6 acres · Saugerties, NY

Small one room cabin with lights and electric available. Separate cabin with sink (non potable water) and hot water shower. Fire pit and chairs provided. Large deck planted right on the water which is a perfect spot to pitch a tent.

80%

(5)

Gatherwild Ranch

13 sites · Lodging, Tents15 acres · Germantown, NY

Welcome to Gatherwild Ranch, featured in The New York Times and home to 8 beautiful and unique accommodations spread out on the rolling hills of a former apple orchard in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Upstate NY. We provide a luxurious farmstead experience, and offer a place to comfortably reconnect with nature. Enjoy the privacy of your site or meet meaningful community in the common areas. Explore the bustling nearby upstate town of Germantown, Hudson and Rhinebeck, drop in a swimming hole, cool off in our sprinklers, enjoy our beautiful bathhouse amenities, pet a goat and collect duck eggs for your breakfast, and stargaze by your private fire at night. The experience of a lifetime is at your fingertips.

100%

(14)

The Little Witch Cottage

1 site · Lodging9 acres · Cairo, NY

The Little Witch Cottage is a rustic charming cottage from 1929 with timber framing and Catskill blue stone flooring. It sits in the middle of our yard about 200 feet from our more modern home. We have about 9 acres set back from the road. The cottage has a queen sized bed, dining table, and small kitchenette. The kitchenette has a mini fridge, dishes, and an induction stove top. We recently wired this vintage beauty to run on solar power and has an outhouse with a composting toilet, sink, and heated outdoor shower. Outside the cottage is a small garden, picnic table, fire pit, and chairs. Our land is mostly sloped fields that we are slowly turning into meadows full of native flowers and plants. There are mowed paths through the tall grass. This is perfect glamping spot, a mixture of comfort and nature. We are close to Catskill, NY and surrounded with a mix of beautiful nature and small town fun.

97%

(674)

Magic Forest Farm

11 sites · RVs, Tents225 acres · Coeymans Hollow, NY

Our slice of paradise consists of 225 acres of forested land nestled in the foothills of the Catskills near Albany. We are a homestead and small campground devoted to the principles of organic farming and self reliance. Modern agriculture and big business are unsustainable, destroying farmland at a accelerating pace. It is important for us to teach the next generation, there is a alternative. We produce much of our own food. We own a sawmill, and have many natural building projects started. We have friendly goats, chickens, ducks, peacocks, donkeys and horses the guests can pet and feed. There are many waterfalls and swimming spots within a short drive. A quick 5 minute drive will get you to one of the best disc golf courses in the north east. For the truly adventurous, Clarksville cave is a short drive away. Visit their website for list of proper gear and rules. We do rent some of the equipment needed.

100%

(1)

Hucklebuck Railway Campsites

2 sites · Lodging150 acres · Red Hook, NY

Welcome to our secluded forest getaways, nestled alongside the historic Huckleberry Railway bed and offering scenic views of the Roeliff Jansen Kill. This state-stocked trout stream provides an ideal setting for fishing and swimming. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty as you enjoy activities like swimming, tubing, kayaking in the river, and exploring miles of hiking trails. Abundant wildlife and birdlife enhance the tranquility of the surroundings. Our campsites offer proximity to a variety of attractions, including breweries, wineries, pick-your-own farms, farmer's markets, historical sites, restaurants, and shopping. For your convenience, the nearest supermarket is just eight miles away, and a general store is only four miles from the site. Come unwind in nature's embrace and experience the best of both seclusion and nearby amenities.

94%

(41)

Haines Falls Mountain Camping

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents30 acres · Haines Falls, NY

Secluded getaway near hiking trails and waterfalls.

The best camping near Catskill State Park guide

Overview

About

Just north of the Hudson Valley and not too far from New York City, the Catskills have long been popular with travelers looking to trade the frenzy of the city for some time out in nature. At the heart of the region, Catskill Park (sometimes referred to as the Catskill Forest Preserve) encompasses some 700,000 acres of natural landscape. Here you'll find forests, unspoiled lakes, and miles of hiking trails. The Catskills also offer plenty of camping options, from rustic, primitive campgrounds to well-developed campgrounds with modern facilities.

Notable campgrounds

Best for hikers: Devil's Tombstone Campground offers easy access to a number of excellent hiking trails.
Best for water lovers: North-South Lake Campground has two lakes for swimming, plus summertime boat rentals.
Best for accessible camping: Kenneth L. Wilson Campground features a variety of ADA-accessible facilities, including restrooms, a fishing pier, and a nature trail.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve your campsite through New York State Parks online reservation system or over the phone.
Book ahead, especially if visiting during summer or on weekends. Reservations are available from nine months in advance until 3pm on the day of your visit.
Walk-in camping is not currently offered.
If you can’t find a campsite in Catskill Park during your preferred dates, look into nearby public and private campgrounds as well as Hipcamps.

When to go

The Catskills are popular for outdoor recreation year-round, though summer is the busiest time. Summer activities include boating, fly fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The area gets a good amount of snow in winter, making way for excellent opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and even ice fishing. Some of the park’s campgrounds are only open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Know before you go

You can learn more about camping, hiking, and trail and road closures by visiting the Catskill Visitor Center in the hamlet of Mount Tremper.
Make sure to buy your firewood locally to prevent the spread of pests and disease. It's against the law to bring untreated firewood into New York state.
Black bears live in the Catskills, and while bear canisters are recommended, they are not required. However, it's still a good idea to hang your trash and food at least 15 feet above the ground or lock it away to prevent attracting animals.