Woodland Valley Campground and Day Use Area

• Dates of Operation:
  • Opening Date: May 17
  • Closing Date: October 14
• Camping Fee: $20 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
• Address: 1319 Woodland Valley Road, Phoenicia, NY 12464 (directions below)
• County: Ulster
• GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 42 02 08.65614N, 074 21 43.22229W
• Campground Phone: (845) 688-7647
• Regional Office Phone: (845) 256-3099
• Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
• Map: Woodland Valley Campground and 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.

Nestled at the foot of Slide Mountain, the tallest peak in the Catskills, and surrounded by Panther, Cornell, and Wittenberg Mountains is Woodland Valley Campground. The campground offers 70 tent and trailer sites, a picnic area with tables and grills, flush toilets, hot showers, a trailer dump station and a recycling center. Woodland Valley Campground serves as the trailhead for both Slide-Wittenberg Trail and Woodland Valley-Denning Trail. Area attractions include the Village of Phoenicia which offers tubing on the Esopus Creek (famous for its trout fishing), a railroad museum, train rides on the Catskill Mountain Railroad, fine shops, antiques and restaurants.

Amenities

70 tent and trailer sites, picnic area with tables and grills, flush toilets, hot showers, trailer dump station, recycling center, pay phone.

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.

Directions

From Thruway Exit 19, Kingston - bear right after leaving the exit, on to Route 28 West. Proceed 20-25 miles to the village of Phoenicia, which will be on your right. Proceed on Rte. 28 across the bridge over the Esopus Creek In Phoenicia. Turn left at the small yellow "Woodland Valley Campground" sign onto Woodland Valley Road. Follow Woodland Valley Road back over the Esopus Creek. Turn right at the "T" after the bridge. Stay left at the first sharp bend and follow Woodland Valley Road approximately six miles to the campground.

Get driving directions from Google Maps 

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, NY12233, Telephone 518 457-2500, and email for campground information.

Additional Information

Area Attractions

The hamlet of Phoenicia offers: a railroad museum, Rail Explorer pedal rides on the Catskill Mountain Railroad, Phoenicia Farmers Market on Sundays, Phoenicia Playhouse with plays and kids workshops, WiFi connectivity, two libraries, the Pine Hill Community Center, the Shandaken Historical Museum, 4-public parks, fine shops including those offering camping and fishing supplies, antiques, and restaurants. Within a half hour drive are the Belleayre and Hunter Mountain Ski Centers, which offer sky rides, music and craft festivals.

Historic Interest

The area around the campground was clear cut in the late 1800's. Bark from hemlock trees was used in the large tanning industries nearby. The land was left for taxes and taken over by the state in 1902. Over the next 25 years it became a popular camping and hiking area. The cabin and other original buildings were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930's, making this one of the earliest campgrounds. Two main trails come through the campground making it popular with hikers.

Panther Mountain is the impact site of a meteorite that hit 350 million years ago. It is outlined by the Esopus Creek and Woodland Valley Stream, which form an almost perfect circle around Panther Mountain.

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.