Kenneth L. Wilson Campground & Day Use Area
- Dates of Operation:
- Opening Date: May 19
- Closing Date: October 9
- Camping Fees: $22 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
- Address: 859 Wittenberg Road, Mt. Tremper, NY 12457 (directions below)
- County: Ulster
- GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 42 01 36.87289N, 074 13 13.60133W
- Campground Phone: (845) 679-7020
- Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Kenneth L. Wilson Campground & Day Use Area Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator
Firewood Restriction Map (PDF) shows the 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. Help prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases by following New York's firewood regulation.
Support DEC Campgrounds
Members of the public can support DEC lands, facilities, and programs through our charitable partner, the National Heritage trust (NHT). Online giving is simple and secure and fully tax-deductible. Donations to NHT directly support projects and programs that enhance facilities, expand access to outdoor recreation and environmental education, provide public land access, and protect natural resources. Donate here (leaves DEC website).
Completely surrounded by beautiful mountains with panoramic views creating a picturesque setting, Kenneth L. Wilson Campground is located in north central Ulster County, 5 miles southwest of the village of Woodstock. The campsites are secluded, large, and wooded.
Amenities
76 tent and trailer sites; picnic area with tables and grills; pavilion rentals; firewood sales; flush toilets; hot showers; trailer dump station; recycling center; mobility impaired accessibility; bathhouse; pay phone; dog park; playground; boat rentals; horseshoe pits.
Accessible Features
Accessible features in the Day Use area include a fishing pier and a floating dock with a canoe/kayak launch. Sites 7, 28, 30, Restroom in Day Use Area and Loop A near Site 13, Central Comfort Station, and Pavilion. A new picnic area surrounds a fire pit with grills and a water spigot. Also, there is a quarter-mile trail over a bridge and through the woods to an 80-foot wildlife viewing platform along the shore of the Little Beaverkill.
Campsite Restoration Project
This campground has sites that have been selected for restoration. While undergoing restoration the chosen sites will be closed. For the list of sites and more information on the project visit the Campsite Restoration Project page.
Featured Activities
No motor boats allowed. Rowboats and canoes allowed. Canoe, stand up paddle board and kayak rentals available.
Some of the likely species are: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, bullheads, white sucker, shiners, and sunfish. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
The Slide Mountain Wilderness encompasses over 47,500 acres and is the largest and most popular wilderness area in the Catskills and is just a short drive west of the campground. All 35 miles of trails I the area are open exclusively to foot travel, affording the visitor an uninterrupted back country experience. Harboring the tallest of the Catskill Peaks and offering numerous trailside vistas, the Slide Mountain trail network is quite attractive and as a result is the most heavily visited wilderness trail system in the Catskills. Visitors seeking solitude are less likely to encounter others during mid-week.
Directions
From Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston - take first right turn off traffic circle to Route 28, proceed approximately 21 miles west on Rte. 28 to Mt. Tremper, turn right on to Rte. 212, 1/2 mile to 4-way intersection. Turn right again on Wittenberg Road (County Rte. 40). The campsite is approximately 4 miles on the right side.
Alternate Route: Route 28, west turn right at Rte. 375, to Rte. 212, turn left off Rte. 212 at Bear's Cafe on to Rte. 45, turn right onto County Rte. 40. Campground is on the left side of road.
Get driving direction from Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Planning and Management
The Kenneth L Wilson Public Unit Management Plan (PDF) for the campground guides the DEC's land management activities at this facility for a ten-year period, although a number of goals and objectives in the plan focus on a much longer time period. The UMP addresses specific objectives and actions for public use at this facility.Rules, regulations and outdoor safety
DEC campground rules and regulations
Clean your boat and equipment - help prevent the spread of aquatic invasives.
Don't move firewood - help prevent of spread of invasive insects.
Additional Information
The village of Woodstock offers art galleries, craft shops, golf course, fine restaurants, entertainment, antiques, and shopping among other attractions. The village of Phoenicia, 6 miles west offers tubing and fishing on the Esopus Creek, antiques, restaurants, railroad museum, art galleries, gift shops, and shopping among other attractions. Within a half hour drive is the Historic City of Kingston, which has been described as the country's best city for shopping, has many historical sites, theaters, restaurants, river boat rides, and numerous other attractions. Also, within a half hour drive are the Belleayre and Hunter Mountain Ski Centers, which offer sky rides, music and craft festivals.
Historic Interest
The campground was once several farms. Some of the old stone fences are still visible. The land was purchased in the 1960's and the campground was opened on June 29, 1979. Since then blacktop roads, and a new bathhouse have been added.
Junior Naturalist Program
Our campgrounds become an outdoor classroom for young children (5-13) and their families. Enjoy games and activities to earn a beautiful embroidered patch.
New Improvements
New improvements supported by a nearly $400,000 state investment include: handicapped accessible facilities, a nature trail, fishing pier, floating canoe and kayak launch, and new comfort station. These are part of the state's Adventure NY initiative.
