Camping in the Catskills, New York

A Guide to Some of the Best Campgrounds and Attractions in the Catskills

Camping in the Catskills is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the region. A short drive from New York City, the area has scenery to rival the best in the country, and scores of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the best campgrounds in the area:

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres (Woodridge, NY) 

This Sullivan County campground is one of the top rated sites in the Catskills. It costs approximately $350 per week for a campsite, or rent a cabin for between $564 and $1,230, depending on the size. Jellystone features a 5 acre lake stocked with bass and bluegills for fishing, rental rowboats and paddle boats, an Olympic-sized pool with spray pool, two children's playgrounds, and a sports complex with softball, basketball, volleyball, paddleball, shuffleboard, tennis and horseshoes. Jellystone has a resort atmosphere and numerous planned recreational activities. It's the nearest campground to Sam's Point Preserve and Ice Caves Mountain, a 4,600 acre scenic nature preserve with one of the best tectonic caves in the United States.

Brookside Campgrounds (Catskill, NY)

Brookside Campgrounds is in Greene County on Kiskatom Brook. Prices run from $22 per day for a campsite only with no utilities to $100 a day for a luxury cabin. Brookside has a more rustic atmosphere than Jellystone, but there are plenty of activities, including trout fishing in the brook, a swimming pool, a game room, and a pirate ship playground. Nearby is Kaaterskill Falls, the highest waterfall in New York State, and the Catskill Forest Preserve, a massive and spectacular protected nature area.

Country Roads Campground (Gilboa, NY)

Country Roads Campground is located in the northernmost part of the Catskills in Schoharie County. Its rates are $168.00 per week for a basic site or $186.00 per week for a site with water, electric and sewer. Country Roads features a pool, whirlpool and game room. Nearby attractions include Howe Caverns, a massive cavern adventure site, and Hunter Mountain, a local ski resort with festivals, fishing and mountain biking in the summer.