Little Pond Campground & Day Use Area
- Dates of Operation: See campground schedule
- Fee: $22 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
- Address: 549 Little Pond State Campground Road, Andes, NY 13731 (directions below)
- GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 42 02 09.73874N, 074 44 29.67284W
- Campground Phone: (845) 439-5480
- Regional Office Phone: (607) 652-2032
- Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Check out the virtual tour for this facility!
Little Pond 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).
Little Pond is a quiet picturesque campground located in the Catskill Forest Preserve which offers a leisurely hiking trail around a 13-acre pond, and the opportunity to venture along trails leading to the ruins of an old farm or enjoy breathtaking views atop the Touchmenot Mountains. The campgrounds, beach, boat rental, and Junior Naturalist Program offers fun for all ages; and for the primitive camper, we offer remote sites on the back side of the pond. Little Pond is located minutes from Beaverkill, a world renowned fly fishing stream.
Amenities
67 tent and trailer sites; 8 "remote" tent sites; picnic area with tables, grills, or fireplaces; pavilion rental; playground; volleyball; horseshoes; soccer; basketball; ice sales; firewood sales; flush toilets; hot showers; trailer dump station; recycling center; sand beach; boat launch; rowboat, paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals.
Sites 1, 2, Central Comfort Station in Day Use Area, Pavilion, Picnic Area, Beach access route, Fishing Pier, Trail around pond. Full listing of DEC's Accessible Recreation Destinations.
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. Rowboat, paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals available.
A variety of pan fish. The Beaverkill, renowned fly fishing stream, is with minutes from the campground. The Pepacton Reservoir is also close by. A special permit is needed to fish in this reservoir and can be obtained from the city of New York Board of Water Supply. Record sized brown trout and smallmouth bass have been caught in the reservoir. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
Trailheads for both the campground trail and Little Pond trail are located within the campground. These trails connect the campground to the 33 miles of foot trails located on the 27,000+ acre Delaware Wild Forest, which boarders the campground to the north.
A swimming beach available. * Please take note the swimming facilities at this location are not supervised by a lifeguard or other responsible person. In place of on-site supervision, this facility has established a series of safeguards to be followed by all guests, the details of which are outlined in a brochure presented to customers upon arrival at the facility.
General information on watchable wildlife includes tips for viewing wildlife and links to other watchable wildlife locations.
Wildlife to Watch
Where to Watch
- Trails
- Campground
- Lake
Directions
From North: NYS Thruway (I-87) to Kingston and Rte. 28 exit (Exit 19). Follow Rte. 28 west to Margaretville, continue with Margaretville directions.
From Margaretville: Rte. 28 west - Rte. 30 south. Go approximately 2.3 miles past the blinking traffic light to "Reservoir Rd. 500' ahead" and make next left then right onto Reservoir Rd. Go approximately 8.5 miles and make a left onto Big Pond Rd. Go 6.5 miles and the campground entrance is on the right.
From Oneonta: Follow Rte. 28 to the Town of Andes. You will come to a blinking light and make a right. Go to the Y in the road and bear to the left. Follow road to the end. This will bring you to Rte. 30. Make a right, go over reservoir bridge, make a left. Go 1.7 miles and bear right onto Big Pond Rd. Go 6.5 miles and the entrance is on the right.
From South: (NYS Thruway, I-87) Take NYS Thruway to Exit 16 (Harriman), then Rte. 17 West to Exit 96 (Livingston Manor). Bear right at end of ramp. Go approximately 1/4 mile to intersection and make a right onto Old Rte. 17. Follow for 1 mile until you see a sign for King's Catering House. Make the next right onto County Rte. 151 (Beaverkill Road). Follow Beaverkill Road approximately 7 miles to Lew Beach. Continue for about 4 miles and make left at campground sign, onto Big Pond Road. Go 1/8 mile, campground entrance is on left.
Get driving direction from Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Planning and Management
The Final Unit Management Plan (UMP) 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.
For more information regarding the UMP for this facility please contact the Bureau of Recreation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233, Telephone 518-457-2500, and email for campground information
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
Area Attractions
Area attractions are numerous. The Catskill Fish Hatchery is about 20 miles from the campground. DeBruce Environmental Education Camp, shopping centers, restaurants, theaters, and bowling alleys are within 20 miles at Liberty, Livingston Manor, and Margaretville. There are a number of golf courses nearby.
Historic Interest
The campground was constructed between 1965 and 1968. It opened for camping in 1968 with 67 sites; the picnic area and the beach in 1968. The 8 remote sites were added at a later date. The shower house was constructed in 1984. In celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the Forest Preserve in July 1985, a time capsule was buried in the campground. This capsule, containing the names of the persons camping in the campground at that time, was entombed in the base of a stone monument located in front of the facility supervisor's office. The capsule is scheduled to be opened on the 200th anniversary of the Forest Preserve.
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.
Recycling
Please check with the Facility Supervisor or staff about the recycling rules. You must use clear trash bags at this facility.
