🌤 Weather at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–70 °F | 59–83 °F | 35–72 °F | 19–38 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Mohonk Lake, 18 mi away, elevation 1,245 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area is a campground in north central Ulster County, New York, 5 miles southwest of the village of Woodstock, run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). It is not a state park. The campground opened on June 29, 1979, on land that was once several farms, and it is surrounded by mountains on all sides.
Quick Facts
| State | New York |
| Nearest City | Town of Woodstock |
| County | Ulster County |
| Managed by | NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) |
| Campsites | 76 tent and trailer sites |
| Season | May 15 to September 7 in 2026 (as of October 2026) |
| Established | 1979 |
Location & Getting There
The campground is at 859 Wittenberg Road, Mt. Tremper, NY 12457. From Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston, take the first right off the traffic circle onto Route 28 and drive about 21 miles west to Mt. Tremper. Turn right onto Route 212 for half a mile to a four-way intersection, then turn right onto Wittenberg Road (County Route 40). The campground is about 4 miles ahead on the right.
Things to Do
The 76 tent and trailer sites are secluded, large and wooded. Facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, a trailer dump station, a playground, horseshoe pits, a dog park and picnic pavilions you can rent. Motor boats are not allowed on the water; rowboats and canoes are, and you can rent canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards. DEC lists largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, bullheads and sunfish among the likely catches. Fishing licenses are no longer sold at DEC campgrounds, so buy yours online or by phone first. In the day use area, a 0.25-mile accessible trail with a gentle grade leads to a fishing and viewing platform on the pond, and there is a hand boat launch with a kayak slide. For longer hikes, the Slide Mountain Wilderness, which DEC calls the largest and most popular wilderness area in the Catskills, is a short drive west; its 35 miles of trails are open to foot travel only.
Best Time to Visit
The campground is open from May 15 to September 7 in 2026 (DEC dates as of October 2026); check the DEC page for the next season. If you plan to hike in the Slide Mountain Wilderness and want quiet trails, DEC suggests midweek, when you are less likely to meet other hikers. Children aged 5 to 13 and their families can join DEC’s Junior Naturalist Program and earn an embroidered patch.
Visitor Tips
Camping costs $22 per night, plus a $5 per night surcharge for out-of-state residents (as of October 2026). You reserve sites through ReserveAmerica, the booking link DEC gives for this campground. Some sites can be closed while DEC restores them under its Campsite Restoration Project, so check before you settle on a specific site. Bring only untreated firewood from within 50 miles of the campground. The campground phone is (845) 679-7020.
Explore More Parks in New York
Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area is one of the campgrounds run by DEC, not a state park. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in New York guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
DEC describes the campground as completely surrounded by mountains with panoramic views. The land was purchased in the 1960s from what had been several farms, and some of the old stone fences are still visible.
Nearby Attractions
Woodstock, 5 miles northeast, has art galleries, craft shops, a golf course, restaurants and antiques. Phoenicia, 6 miles west, offers tubing and fishing on the Esopus Creek and a railroad museum. Within a half-hour drive are the historic city of Kingston and the Belleayre and Hunter Mountain ski centers.
More parks nearby: Sojourner Truth State Park is a short drive away, while Bristol Beach State Park lies a short drive away.
Park Map
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