Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Bear Spring Mountain
Overview
Bear Spring Mountain Campground offers a deep dive into the rugged beauty of the western Catskills. Situated within the Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area, this facility provides a true backcountry experience for those who prefer nature over commercial resort settings. The environment here is defined by its quiet atmosphere and commitment to preserving the natural terrain of Delaware County. It is one of the few state-run campgrounds specifically designed to cater to both traditional campers and horseback riding enthusiasts.
Location & Surroundings
Located in Downsville, NY, the park sits within the sprawling Catskill Forest Preserve. The area is characterized by steep, timbered ridges and narrow valleys that provide a dramatic backdrop for any outdoor adventure. The elevation creates a sense of seclusion, making it a peaceful retreat far from the noise of major highways. The proximity to the East Branch of the Delaware River adds another layer of scenic beauty, while the forest is home to a lush canopy of maple, beech, and birch trees.
Amenities & Park Features
The facility is intentionally rustic, offering 41 campsites without electrical or water hookups. This park is particularly famous for its horse-friendly infrastructure, featuring specialized sites equipped with corrals and hitching posts at the Spruce Grove area. For general RVers, the park provides essential amenities including hot showers and flush toilets, a picnic area, and a boat launch on Big Pond. It is a dry camping destination where the focus remains on the surrounding landscape rather than modern conveniences.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw here. The park features an extensive network of over 24 miles of multi-use trails perfect for hiking and horseback riding. Anglers will appreciate the proximity to the Pepacton Reservoir, known for its trout fishing, while Big Pond offers a serene spot for non-motorized boating and canoeing. The surrounding wildlife management area is also a popular destination for bird watching, nature photography, and seasonal hunting in designated zones.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who prioritize tranquility and outdoor recreation over luxury amenities. It is a premier choice for equestrian travelers looking for accessible mountain trails with established horse facilities. RVers with smaller rigs or those comfortable with boondocking will find the most success in these forest sites. If you are looking to disconnect from technology and enjoy the primitive charm of the New York wilderness, this location is an excellent fit for your next adventure.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
shaythia sterling
Me and my husband went to this camp ground for a weekend get away ( Friday-Sunday). I picked this location because it had good ratings and there was only one site left for the weekend. It was our first time in the Catskills we usually camp in the Adirondack’s. The camp site was a family size which was fine even if we didn’t need the space. The activities they offered were only near the front of the camp grounds near the office that includes the beach ( lake), the row boats and hiking trail. The front of the camp grounds was nearly 4 miles from our site! All the sites on that side of camp were booked out and now I know why. There was no reception for camp grounds at spruce grooves side but the other side had it. We were told if we need anything to just call but that wasn’t an option with no reception. The trails on this side were barely marked. The camp grounds is split into two section with the 4 mile gap mentioned and a street that runs through the camp grounds that constantly has cars running by all night long, the road is used as a back roads by the towns people. I wouldn’t recommend this site to anyone unless they can get a low number spot camp ground spot and even then if they have children with the constant busy road of car and motorcycles right next to the camp grounds I wouldn’t recommend it. Also we didn’t see one animal while we were there except maybe a bird or two on our way out. Overall it was a camping experience not the best I’ve ever had. The only pro is that the staff was nice when we did see them.
greg herbst
Fantastic for basic camping. The facilities were spotless and the camp had potable water sources all over. The shower water got pretty hot too. The trails seem neglected but I think that's forestrys job not the men who run the grounds. They were very friendly and helpful.
Sarah E
Absolutely gorgeous spot. Not much privacy with sites 28-40 but less crowded on weekdays. Beautiful trails and very well maintained.
Katerin Lopez
I loved the experience of camping on Bear Mountain, the tranquility and silence that you breathe there is inexplicable. If you are a quiet person who does not want to hear noise, you just want to enjoy and connect with nature, that is the best place. The person who works in front and care, I think the entire camp is too kind and polite. I will definitely drive four hours again to get there. I loved it.🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️
Kirstin Connor
What a great camping experience, definitely one of the best (if not the best) camping grounds in the Catskills region. You can really tell how hard the 3 employees that run the entire campground work. Larry, Jim and Mike show so much care for these grounds and make it their goal for everyone to leave with a positive experience. Extremely clean campground with bathrooms that are cleaned daily, free showers that are also cleaned daily, beautiful and unique campsites that are well maintained and have many trees in between each making your camping experience private and full of nothing but the beauty of nature. Clean fire pits that are suitable to cook all of your food on, picnic tables at each site to sit at/ eat on and a lot of beautiful wildlife within the perimeters of the campground/ park and beyond. This particular campsite offers more than just camping, with several hiking trails around the park, horseback trails, a pond to swim/ kayak in and more. Overall a great experience and we can’t wait to come back.