Little Pond Campground sits at 2,028 feet in a remote corner of the Catskills Forest Preserve, centered around a 13-acre pond. The campground has 75 sites spread across numbered loops, accommodating tents, RVs up to 40 feet, and primitive camping. Open July 1 through Labor Day, it charges $22 per night and fills quickly on summer weekends.
Little Pond Campground provides a variety of camping options, including primitive, tent, and RV camping. Group camping is also available, along with walk-in and boat-in sites for a more secluded experience.
Historical Significance
Trails around Little Pond pass stone walls and crumbling foundations from old farms that once operated in these mountains. The structures, now moss-covered and overtaken by forest, mark where families worked the land before the area became part of the Forest Preserve.Weather and SeasonsThe campground operates only during summer, when daytime temperatures run from the mid-60s to high-70s°F and nights drop into the mid-40s to low-60s°F. This makes for comfortable hiking and excellent campfire conditions. The pond is warm enough for swimming from July through early September. Mornings on the water can be cool and often calm, ideal for paddling. Weekends book fast given the short season and the campground's popularity with those seeking a remote Catskills experience.
Natural Features and SceneryThe campground wraps around a 13-acre pond surrounded by heavily wooded terrain. Sites sit beneath dense tree cover of maple, birch, and pine, with spacing that provides solid privacy between neighbors. The pond is the focal point for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Trails climb from the campground into the surrounding Catskill peaks, passing old stone walls and farm foundations along the way. The elevation and forest canopy create cool shade even on warm summer days.
Geological RegionTucked away in the remote reaches of the legendary Catskills Forest Preserve, Little Pond Campground occupies a special corner of one of New York's most beloved mountain ranges. This secluded haven sits cradled by ancient peaks, where millions of years of geological forces have sculpted a landscape of rolling mountains, hidden valleys, and that jewel-like 13-acre pond. The heavily wooded campsites blend seamlessly into this protected wilderness, offering visitors a chance to camp within one of the Northeast's most pristine forest preserves.
Scenic ViewsScenic views include the Touchmenot Mountains and the pond with its surrounding flora and fauna.
Programs & ActivitiesA Junior Naturalist program is available for children, aimed at educational engagement with the natural environment.