Living in New York can be a dream come true for all kinds of people. Whether you are a business owner, a highly qualified chef, or a clothing line designer, New York has something for each and every one of you.
However, this is not only the concrete jungle most of us assume it to be. Instead, apart from being an architectural masterpiece, New York is also home to some of the most beautiful creeks, natural lakes, and incredible camping grounds that have the power to bring out your most primal wild instincts.
Hence, anytime you feel the weight of your responsibilities at home or work pushing you down, we advise you to get into your outdoorsy American spirit, and head down to one of the finest camping grounds has to offer; the Black Bear Campgrounds.
Located in Orange County, near the West Point US Military Academy, the Black Bear Campgrounds are known to be one of the highest-rated RV parks in all of New York.
Sitting directly on the historical Esopus Creek, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, the Black Bear Campgrounds is the ideal destination for sightseers, and all kinds of new and experienced campers.
To learn more about the historical and geological value of well-known Black Near campground, keep reading the remaining article below.
The History of Black Bear Campground
Home to some of the best camping sites in New York, Orange County is perhaps the most commonly visited region by Americans and tourists who wish to get a firsthand experience of the raw wilderness mother nature offers.
Just like most famous American camping grounds, the Black Bear Campground has also been constructed on one of the most historical areas in Orange County, Esopus Creek.
According to archeologists, the Esopus Creek was built during the Devonian period, nearly 375 million years ago, when a meteor hit the surface of the Esopus, leaving behind a 6-mile-wide crater.
With time, this massive crater began to fill up with silt and water, to form the glacial crater lake. Eventually, as the glaciers began to melt away, glacial lakes and dams were formed, one of which later, in the 20th century, got recreated to form the Ashokan Reservoir.
The Esopus is of the three valleys of the Catskill mountains that got revegetated by the glacial waters. According to historians, the highly fertile lands of the Esopus Creek were used by the Native Americans to corn and olive; however, today a majority of these campgrounds are covered with apple trees.
Later on, recreational development on the Esopus Creek began as early as 1885 till 1915. Soon this location and the Esopus lake began to be used for fishing, mineral exploration, and even hunting.
Eventually, after many years, the area on the Esopus Creek, in Phoenicia was chosen for the construction of the Black Bear Campgrounds.
Today, these campgrounds are a tourist favorite for its many man made attractions, the Esopus waters, and for the glorious site of the Catskill mountains.
The Geology
If you ever plan to visit the Black Bear Campgrounds, we advise you to pack a set of binoculars and a camera to capture the glorious sights of Orange County’s finest camping grounds.
Although the Black Bear Campgrounds have been built in the heart of the Catskill mountains, one can also view the massive Hunter Mountain, Belleayre Mountain, and the Woodstock Mountain right from their camps.
Moreover, although most of the camping sites have been evened-out, some areas of the Black Bear Campgrounds can be quite uneven, and relatively more challenging to walk and camp on.
Furthermore, since the Black Bear Campgrounds are built on the Esopus Creek, which is no less than a natural wonder, built and crafted over millions of years, the campsite’s grounds have great geological value to archeologists and researchers.
Apart from the traces left behind from the meteor’s impact, these lands are also rich in quartz stones, metamorphic rocks, and limestone.
Moreover, although the multiple mountains surrounding the campgrounds are covered in trees and vegetation, the Black Bear camping sites do not have as many trees to provide shade to the campers.
Hence, unless the campers are okay with camping under the sun, they are required to ask the Black Bear Campground management to provide them with some shade.
Local Wildlife You Can Spot at this Campground
Since the Black Bear Campgrounds are located in the heart of a naturally built creek and mountain, encounters with different wildlife species are quite frequent.
Hence, if you ever plan to visit Orange County’s Black Bear Campground, you might come across the following animal species:
- American Black Bears
- Raccoons
- Bald eagle
- Blue Heron
- Wolves
- Smallmouth Bass
- White Perch
What Should You Pack Before Leaving for Black Bear Campground?
- Good quality hiking boots
- Camera
- Your favorite snacks
- Binoculars
- Flashlight
- Umbrella
- Swimsuit
Things to do at the Black Bear Campgrounds
- Camping
- The Black Bear Campground offers a total of 75 sites, out of which some are well-shaded.
- Usually, WIFI is available to a majority of these camping sites.
- Swimming and cliff diving
- Spending time at the heated pool
- Indulging in recreational activities such as mini golf, frisbee golf, etc.
- Hiking on natural trains
- Fishing
- Boating
- Canoeing or Kayaking
- Indulging in seasonal snow sports
- Hunting (within a 20-mile radius)
Final Thoughts – How Can You Get to Black Bear Campground?
If you ever find yourself in Orange County, New York, do yourself a massive favor and head out for the Catskill mountains to experience a once-in-a-lifetime camping trip at the Black Bear Campgrounds.
Not only are these camping grounds known for their beautiful natural sites, but you will also have the opportunity to swim at a natural lake, jump off natural waterfalls, and catch some of the most delicious freshwater marine species New York has to offer.
To reserve a camping site at the Black Bear Campground, and to learn more about how to get there, visit their official website now.