We left Brooklyn early Saturday morning, headed upstate for a campground on Bear Spring Mountain. Slightly further away then past trips we've taken it took us about 3-4 hour to get there from NYC.
Approaching Bear Spring Mountain you pass through the small town of Downsville. We lucked out that the town's general store, a farm-stand, and gas station had the last minute things we needed. For a proper grocery store you have to go another 20 minutes down the road to the next town over, Walton. Downsville surprised us with a really nice wine store carrying a wide assortment of wines, some local. This is a great town to stop in for lunch and forgotten supplies.
Bear Spring Campground is split into two parts. The northern part is for tent camping, while the southern is geared towards RVs and trailers. Despite the northern section being set up for tents we were initially disappointed. The sites are rather small and pretty close together. You'd definitely hear your neighbors during the night and you lose some of that feeling your in middle of the woods.
We had reserved Site #18. Which from the map online looks great, but in reality your spitting distance from the loudest bathroom in the Catskills, and left with no tree cover. Walking around the grounds we came upon Site #19. Even-though its one number up from 18 this sites actually on the other side of the road, right next to the lake, and relatively secluded. The staff here is super friendly and despite seeming frazzled after the busy summer Saturday rush, were fast to help us switch sites.
"Oh those girls on that spot left 2 days ago, we'll switch you in there right now"
Site #19 is the gem of this campground. While setting up tents we could hear the incredibly loud people playing around the lake, but by 4 they had all left, and just as the sun was setting it felt like we had the whole forest to ourselves. Occasionally we'd head someone loud on the other side of the road, a reminder of what we just avoided.
As it got darker the temperature dropped making it prime camp fire weather. We ended the night watching the stars lake side. In the morning we were greeted with a lake lightly covered in fog. The view was spectacular. The small beach area near by never picked up with people, and we enjoyed a relaxing quite Sunday in the woods.
Bear Spring Campground turned out to be a great camping location. There aren't many prime spots and Site #19 is hard to top from what we saw. We suggest this campground for being low key, providing a great view, it's close proximity to a grocery store, 15-20 minute drive to Walton, and keeping the RVs three miles away.
If you go here and our review was helpful or could be improved let us know by emailing fieldseries@gmail.com