Escape from the everyday, and reconnect with your wild side. Camping in the Catskills is the adventure you need to relax, rejuvenate and reawaken your love of nature.
The NY Catskill Region is the perfect camping destination for families, friends and solo travelers alike. Towering peaks, sweeping valleys, roaring rivers and untamed forests provide endless recreation opportunities for experienced explorers and those new to the outdoors. Begin a family tradition at one of the Catskills' public campgrounds. Enjoy a romantic glamping getaway. Or journey into the backcountry, and sleep under the stars..
Tent & RV Camping
Enjoy the beauty and excitement of the outdoors while also benefitting from modern amenities! Families and casual campers can enjoy an authentic camping experience without entirely disconnecting. New York State Parks and regional KOA campgrounds, such as North-South Lake Public Campgrounds and Russell Brook Campsites, offer conveniences such as swimming pools, showers, restrooms, running water and electric outlets at your campsite. Public campgrounds are a great introduction to some of the best camping in the Catskills. Many locations feature hiking and biking trails straight from the grounds into the surrounding mountains and valleys. Some even offer guided trips and gear rentals to help you make the most of your Catskills camping experience.
Catskill RV Resort
Located in Wurtsboro, Sullivan County, Catskill RV Resort provides a variety of rustic tent and pop-up camper sites for "back-to-basics" campers, RV sites and cabins for those looking for more comfort and convenience. The site includes a community swimming pool, a playground, and basketball and volleyball courts among other amenities.
Roscoe Campsite Park
Located on the banks of the Beaverkill River, the Roscoe Campsite Park accommodates cabin, RV and tent camping, and offers modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi, cable TV and a camp store. Add to your campground camping experience by renting tubes, kayaks, mountain bikes or even park facilities for private events!
New York City North/Newburgh KOA Campground
Tent, cabin, and lodge sites are available at the New York City North/Newburgh KOA campground just two hours north of New York City. Enjoy access to the camp store, laundry, showers, a recreation building, swimming pool, fishing and even a wine store! Take part in planned activities, themed weekends and New York City tours between April and October.
Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area
Located in the town of Mount Tremper, accessibility meets adventure at the Kenneth L. Wilson Campground. Among the offerings are boat rentals and an accessible launch, a fishing pier, hiking and biking trails and even hot showers! Both tent and RV sites are available.
Devil’s Tombstone Campground
Located in the mountain town of Hunter, Devil’s Tombstone Campground is one of the older campgrounds in the Catskill Forest Preserve, offering both scenic beauty and devilish mystery. Primitive camping is available at 24 lakefront sites. Named after a rock formation that looks like a tombstone, Devil's Tombstone is an ideal base camp for serious hikers with trails leading to some of the highest Catskill peaks, such as Indian Head, West Kill Range and Hunter, which has the highest historic fire tower in New York State.
Bear Spring Mountain Campground
There are 41 tent and trailer sites to choose from at Bear Spring Mountain Campground, located in the western end of the Catskill Forest Preserve. This state-run campground is in the center of a 7100-acre wildlilfe management area, which is the only state park in New York intended specifically for horseback riding. The park trails are also suited for mountain biking, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Glamping in the Catskills
Who said you have to sacrifice comfort while camping? Add a bit of glamour to your next adventure and experience glamping in the Catskills! Glamping is a growing phenomenon that combines traditional camping with total luxury. Picture this: You’ve spent the day hiking and biking the mountains and valleys of the Catskills. You head back to camp for some rest and relaxation. Instead of crawling into a tent and fighting with a sleeping bag, you have a real mattress to stretch out on! Whether you’re planning a unique girls’ getaway or a romantic weekend with your partner, glamping is sure to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience and some seriously awesome shots for the ‘gram.
Blue Hills Farm Tent & Breakfast
Book your stay at Blue Hills Farm Tent & Breakfast for a premium glamping experience. A canvas safari-style furnished tent for two with a queen size bed, electricity and an attached bathroom complete with shower and spa jets will keep you in total comfort. Your host is known for making delicious homemade breakfasts served in a nearby log treehouse. Then, venture out and explore the lush surrounding forest. Fish along the Delaware River. Journey to Narrowsburgh to enjoy the burgeoning art scence. Or stay and enjoy the peace and solitude.
Eastwind Hotel & Bar
Eastwind Hotel & Bar offers a scenic and welcoming boutique hotel with a glamping flair. Nestled in the heart of the Catskills, Eastwind blends the outdoors with a high-end hotel experience. Of their 26 total accommodations, 10 are Lushna cabins - Scandinavian-style, minimalist structures designed for four-season glamping. It’s camping without sacrificing comfort. Before you cozy up for the night, lounge around the fire pit with a specialty Salon cocktail and enjoy views of Windham Mountain.
Willowemoc Wild Forest Yurt
For a more secluded camping experience, visit Willowemoc Wild Forest Yurt on the edge of the Willowemoc Wild Forest and Catskill Forest Preserve in Livingston Manor. Unplug in the woods without sacrificing a soft place to land at night and a hot shower! The beautiful, rustic yurt is a five-minute walk from the parking lot, which makes it feel all the more like a real getwaway.
Bellfire in the Catskills Tipi Camping
Bellfire in the Catskills offers an off-the-grid tipi glamping experience on 10 bucolic acres in Meeker Hollow. The Bellfire Tipi lets you connect with nature under a canopy of maple trees near a babbling brook. Lose yourself gazing into a campfire outside or a warming lit chiminea inside. The property also offers "the Birdhouse," a rustic tiny house option, and "Cosmic Nomad," a custom-built covered wagon for overnight stays. Enjoy total tranquility in at this western Catskills escape.
Woodstock Meadows
Woodstock Meadows, just two miles from the town of Woodstock, is perfect for a romantic glamping getaway. Their two safari-style tents are located on 24 acres of mountain meadows, streams, ponds and hiking trails, and are as comfortable as any bedroom. Enjoy the many dining options offered in nearby Woodstock, Phoenicia or Saugerties or cook over a charcoal or propane grill, supplied at the site, along with firewood for the giant firepit.
For even more ideas, see our other article on where to go glamping in the Catskills.
Backcountry Camping
Primitive camping in the region’s backcountry is an excellent option for those seeking the rugged outdoor experience or hiking long-distance trails such as the Long Path, a 357-mile long-distance hiking trail spanning from northern New Jersey to the Albany, New York area. Primitive camping is camping in its purest form – no amenities, no technology. It's just you, your tent and the great outdoors. Primitive camping is widely available throughout the Catskill Park and Catskill Forest Preserve.
There are some restrictions campers should be aware of when planning a backcountry trip. The Department for Environmental Conservation (DEC) requires that primitive campsites be 150 feet from water, road or trail, and if you’re planning on camping for more than three nights you’ll need a special permit. Some primitive sites are more accessible than others. Here are a few popular spots to consider for your next backcountry camping trip in the Catskills:
Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest
When you camp out in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest, get up early and hike Balsam Lake Mountain, home to the oldest fire tower in New York.
Devil’s Tombstone Campground
One of the oldest campgrounds in the Catskill Forest Preserve, camping at Devil's Tombstone Campground provides hiking access to the 21-mile Devil’s Path Trail.
Bear Spring Mountain Campground
More structured than some other offerings, Bear Spring Mountain Campground offers 41 tent and trailer sites, as well as horse-friendly sites at the Spruce Grove camping and trail system.
Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest
Connecting three of the Catskills’ wilderness areas, including Slide Mountain, Hunter-West Kill, and Indian Head Mountain, the Phoenicia-Mt.Tobias Wild Forest is the perfect place to set up basecamp for a multi-day backcountry camping adventure.
Whether you choose traditional, glamping, or backcountry camping in the New York State Park system, please be respectful of the wilderness around you and adhere to all DEC rules and regulations. Pack out what you pack in, follow firewood mandates, and be cognizant of local black bear populations. Most importantly, take this time to relax, connect with nature and make lasting memories. Pack your gear and head to a Catskills campsite today!
