Devil’s Tombstone Campground ~ Hunter, NY

If you’re seeking a fantastic rustic camping experience, visit one of the oldest campgrounds in the Catskill Forest Preserve. This beautiful wooded campground is the ideal place to get away from the hustle of everyday life for a peaceful retreat or to use as a home base for exploring some of the most incredible places in the Catskills.

Rustic Camping

The first thing you need to know is that this campground is primitive camping. That means no running water, no showers, and pit toilets. And while that doesn’t sound appealing, it really adds to the “getting away from it all” vibe. Heads up, because you are registered at Devil’s Tombstone, you can take a shower at North-South Lake Campground.

The campground has 24 sites, situated on both sides of Route 214. The sites are not very spacious and lack privacy, but they are still charming because they are surrounded by woods.

The campground’s lack of usual “creature comforts” means it’s one of the last places to get booked up in the summer. I was able to make a reservation for a weekend in July with less than two weeks’ notice. The use of North South Lake amenities more than made up for the lack of conveniences.

Wildlife Warning & Precautions

At Devil’s Tombstone, you are in the heart of Bear Country. When we arrived, the ranger told us that a local bear was “shaking down backpackers” and to be vigilant with our food and keep our campsite clean. Bears are smart and can recognize coolers and food storage. DO NOT FEED THE BEARS. This is for your safety and theirs. FYI- Bears aren’t the only wildlife that can possibly wander through your campsite and will be attracted by your food. Skunks, raccoons, and even mice will be on the search for a handout. They might look cute, but you must discourage them from seeing your campsite as an all-you-can-eat buffet.

• Don’t leave food, coolers, or garbage around your campsite (This includes pet food.)
• Store all food and coolers property. DO NOT store them in your tent.
• DO NOT sleep in the clothes that you cooked in and ate in.
• NEVER burn garbage or extra food in your campfire. Clean the grill and dispose of excess food properly.

Why Is It Called Devil’s Tombstone

Don’t let the name throw you; this beautiful campground is the perfect retreat for those looking to get back to nature. However, there is something behind the name. The Devil’s Tombstone is a large boulder in the park’s Day Use area. Today, it houses a marker commemorating the 100th anniversary of the New York State Forest Preserve. However, this giant stone has been a marker for hundreds of years for the early settlers.

But is there a supernatural element to the name? Some would say yes and consider the area haunted. This park is located in what’s known as the Stony Clove, and legend says that the devil would prowl this area during the early settlement of the Catskills. You can see the “devil’s face” in the rocks above Notch Lake.

Day Use Area

At the north end of the park, there is a small, shallow lake, Notch Lake. This is a lovely area to picnic or fish. (Swimming and boating are prohibited here.) However, your registration gives you free access to North-South Lake Campground’s facilities (beaches and boat launches).

Trails – A short trail from the campground leads to Notch Lake, from which you can pick up the Devil’s Path Trail to Hunter Mountain.

An abandoned railroad bed runs behind the eastern side of the campground.

This campground is close to many of the great trails in the Catskills, and backpackers use this campground as a home base.

There is another Day Use park at the south end of the campground, where the Devil’s Tombstone is located. There is a small playground, picnic tables, and grills, and a volleyball net set up.

Getting to Devil’s Tombstone Campground

Address: NYS, NY-214, Hunter, NY 12427

Google Map Link

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