Kingswood Campsite

- 1500 Hathaway Pond Rd, Hancock, NY 13783

Introduction / Overview

For New York residents seeking an authentic and hassle-free nature escape, Kingswood Campsite in Hancock, NY, stands out as a true Catskills gem. Sprawling across 766 acres of huge forests, open fields, and rolling hills, this family-oriented campground offers a stunning natural backdrop for an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Owned and operated by the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Kingswood provides a quiet, natural setting where the focus is on strengthening families, nurturing friendships, and connecting with nature.

What makes Kingswood particularly suitable for busy New York families, especially those based in NYC and Long Island, is its unique offering of "fully equipped campsites." This ingenious solution removes the logistical burden of owning and transporting bulky camping gear. As one Brooklyn-based family noted, the four-hour drive is "worth it" because of the vast territory and convenience. The campsite aims to make a classic camping experience accessible and convenient, especially for first-time campers or large groups who want to travel light.

More than just a place to pitch a tent, Kingswood is a vibrant community destination. The site is meticulously well-cared for, featuring a range of beautiful, hand-made features and promoting low-waste principles. Its central feature, Hathaway Pond, provides the heart for a wealth of activities, from daily swimming to boating. Whether you are interested in spotting the thriving bright orange salamanders, as one review mentions, or simply enjoying a peaceful evening campfire, Kingswood provides the perfect setting for a traditional, yet supremely comfortable, New York camping tradition.

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Location and Accessibility

Kingswood Campsite is ideally situated in the town of Hancock, New York, deep within the picturesque Catskill Mountains. The physical address is 1500 Hathaway Pond Rd, Hancock, NY 13783, USA. This location places it approximately a 15-minute drive from the town of Hancock, which serves as a gateway to the Upper Delaware River region and its related outdoor activities.

For New York local users, the accessibility is surprisingly convenient, making it a viable option for a long weekend or a full-week vacation without the lengthy travel often associated with true wilderness retreats. Families traveling from major metropolitan areas will find the drive manageable:

• NYC and Northern New Jersey: The drive is typically around 3 to 4 hours, traversing scenic highways that wind through the beautiful landscapes of Upstate New York.
• Long Island and Outer Boroughs: While slightly longer, the 4-hour drive noted by a Brooklyn visitor is considered well worth the effort for the vast, natural territory available upon arrival.

The campsite’s location in the Great Western Catskills provides a peaceful, remote feel that is essential for a true unplugged experience. Despite its tranquility, it is close enough to local amenities in Hancock for quick trips, and is within range of local attractions like Oquaga Creek State Park and the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, providing endless opportunities for off-site exploration.

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Services Offered

Kingswood Campsite offers a specialized suite of services focused on convenience, activity, and community, making it a truly turnkey camping destination for New Yorkers:

• Fully Equipped Campsites: A signature offering featuring a large 14’x16’ cabin tent (with 6 bunks) on a wood deck and a covered 16’x16’ outdoor kitchen shelter. The shelter is stocked with nearly all necessary gear, including a 2-burner propane stove, table settings for 6, cook pots, cutting boards, an ice chest and ice, a campfire ring, wood, and a sink with fresh well water. Guests only need to bring sleeping bags, clothes, and food.
• Diverse Site Options: Alongside the equipped sites, the campground offers classic Tent & Trailer campsites (no hookups) and designated RV sites (30-amp electric hookups, water, and a central sewage dump station).
• Recreational Equipment Access: Provides complimentary use of row boats and kayaks on Hathaway Pond from dawn to dusk, subject to safety rules and life jacket requirements. Camp cooking gear like Dutch ovens and pie irons is also available to borrow.
• The Oasis / Bathhouse: Features a central facility with hot running water, private showers, flushing toilets, and sinks for guest convenience, complementing the private outhouses available at each equipped site.
• The Barn: A fantastic rainy-day facility offering a double-level space for basketball, badminton, corn hole, a library with books and games, and a nature room for educational exploration.
• Organized Programming: A comprehensive weekly schedule offers activities such as guided hikes, nature scavenger hunts, craft-making sessions (e.g., tie-dye, hemp bracelets), campfire cooking workshops ("On-site Insights"), and the popular evening "Hey! Ride" on a vintage tractor.
• Camp Store and Supplies: An on-site store sells essentials like ice cream, soda, games, batteries, and ice, while firewood can be purchased separately to support nightly campfires.
• Farmhouse Rental: During the off-season, a farmhouse is available for rent, providing dormitory-style sleeping quarters for up to 22 guests, a full kitchen, and a large living area.

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Features / Highlights

Kingswood Campsite's main highlights center around its pristine natural resources and its commitment to community and family fun:

• Hathaway Pond: The centerpiece of the property, offering a supervised swimming area daily from 1 PM to 5 PM, plus excellent fishing opportunities.
• Extensive Hiking and Nature Trails: Over 766 acres feature trails that circle the lake, leading past beaver lodges and dams. Specialized routes include a Prayer Trail with suggested devotional activities and more strenuous hikes to observation decks for stunning Catskills views.
• Thriving Wildlife: The expansive, natural habitat ensures frequent wildlife sightings, including a variety of birds, frogs, newts, red-backed salamanders, and even beavers, offering accessible and exciting educational opportunities for children.
• Community Events: Fosters a strong sense of community with weekly traditions such as a Manager's Pot Luck Supper, followed by hand-cranked ice cream making, and a Saturday night community campfire with songs and s'mores.
• The Stone Ministry: A unique, permanent structure where campers can cement a personal stone to affirm faith or celebrate a life event, creating a lasting connection to the campground.
• Low-Waste and Sustainable Focus: The well-maintained and "beautiful hand-made features" across the grounds reflect the camp’s overall commitment to preserving the natural environment and encouraging a low-impact stay.

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Contact Information

For New York residents looking to book a stay, volunteer, or inquire about the equipped sites, the following contact information is essential:

Address: 1500 Hathaway Pond Rd, Hancock, NY 13783, USA

Phone: (607) 637-5401

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Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Kingswood Campsite is perfectly tailored for New York residents, especially those living in or near the highly urbanized areas of NYC, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. It successfully addresses the two main hurdles New Yorkers face when seeking a true outdoor escape: travel time and logistical complexity.

Firstly, its location in the Catskills offers a profound and necessary change of pace. While only a 3-4 hour drive, it feels like an entirely different world—a massive 766-acre sanctuary of pristine lake and forest. This proximity to the state’s population centers makes it a genuinely accessible weekend or week-long escape that minimizes travel stress.

Secondly, the concept of the "fully equipped campsite" is an enormous advantage for New York City and suburban dwellers who typically lack the storage space for extensive camping equipment. Kingswood provides a high-quality, gear-inclusive camping experience. Locals can pack light—just sleeping bags, food, and clothes—and immediately immerse themselves in activities like swimming, hiking, and crafting, instead of spending their vacation time on setup and teardown.

The combination of a high level of convenience, extensive recreational facilities (like the pond and the barn), and a strong, friendly community atmosphere makes Kingswood Campsite an unparalleled option for New York families looking to establish a new, stress-free annual tradition that is both meaningful and manageable.

Kingswood Campsite

1500 Hathaway Pond Rd, Hancock, NY 13783, USA