This was my first time camping upstate and this KOA was great! We were lucky enough to snag a site on the river which was beautiful even though it was cloudy/rainy the weekend we went. There was a ton of stuff for the kids to do (nice playground, swings, pool, waterslides, and crafts). We were able to take advantage of most of those things and had so much fun! There was also live music Friday and Saturday nights which was different and fun to attend. The campsite office has a little general store which was helpful in case you forgot something, and you can also order firewood/ice/pizza with free delivery from them. We had a great time staying here! read more

So many opposing dynamics- it's a pretty spot that could be very peaceful. Except for the owner's biting methods of antagonizing people for small infractions. For example- we moved a car into the middle area because the mower man was mowing, and received an email about the car being parked where kids played. We never saw kids playing there. It was ... not very peaceful. read more

I just love this place! It offers a wonderful experience in nature while having all the amenities to feel like a resort. Upon checking in, we went directly to a painting activity that was super fun. Went tubing in the river, enjoyed the live music in the evening, shopped in their little convenience store, and enjoyed camping in a beautiful, immaculate clean, well groomed space. The grounds are really well maintained, and they are constantly upgrading and improving. Only wish they would bring back the rentable golf carts to explore the grounds even more! read more

Catskill Mountians/Gilboa Koa Holiday - Campgrounds Near Me - Gilboa, New York

Great campground along the river. The negative reviews are bitter former seasonals. Friendly staff. Campground is clean. Good bands and activities. We have been here 4 times in the past two years since they swapped to koa. Quiet and nice campground. Good cid places around. The dust is the only knock I have and some sites tough for a 40 5th. But it's been dry. read more

this isnt the nickerson park campground where I learned to ride my bike and tie my shoes. it's becoming a corporate koa. THIS IS NOT A FAMILY RUN CAMPGROUND!! advertising it as such is a LIE! not only that but the new owner is very wishy washy, the rules change on a whim, everything is a liability and on top of everything a lot of campers dont have water due to well issues. do not camp here! if i could give it zero stars i would. read more

Have been coming to Nickerson for years with friends and we have always have the best time and get sites right next to each other. Beautiful location, nice staff, love the creek nearby. Everything has been picture perfect until this year! Two weeks before going on our trip, we find out that the staff has moved our campsite to another location without letting us know. We ALWAYS follow the policy of booking upon checkout the year before to guarantee our same site and dates, but they just gave away our site to another group and moved us to another. Now all the surrounding sites are booked by others. Instead of trying to fix the problem, they said they will not be able to move the people who are clearly in the site we booked and we would have to move. Please beware that the staff are unreliable and their policy of booking a year in advance to reserve your spot the following year is at their discretion. Even with an email receipt that says we're booked in the same site for next year, that doesn't mean anything to Gina who works at the front desk. This is a really poor way to do business and there are many other campgrounds who will follow their policies and be honest. read more

BEWARE. Many seasonals have weathered the changes throughout the years by different owners and rules. Simply as they loved the beauty of the the campground and the friends who became family. However, this owner Cathy, is in a complete league of her own. Unfortunately, it was for all the wrong reasons. She is very dismissive, flakey, presumptuous and unhinged! She has no social awareness and will shamelessly let you know her daughter(co-owner) is a lawyer. When you sign the contract, you will see firsthand how crazy they are with the liability, rules and laws. This was always a peaceful and well run campground. But all the ever changing rules and hysteria about liability for small things made for a very non relaxing and stressful place! This place will turn into KOA next year. You will be nickeled and dimed for everything! You will be "evicted" for nonsensical issues. You will be micromanaged. You will be kicked off the seasonal webpage if you express any legit concerns. And if you need further proof of how this business stinks from the top. Owner unbelievably suggests that kids hit by cars speeding through the campground would at least have liability fall on the driver not the campground and allowing golf carts because at "least you probably won't die if you're run over by a golf cart." Very unprofessional and scary.... Can't say you haven't been warned. Please reconsider this place especially if still under the same ownership. It's absolutely nuts!! Approximately 150 out of 180 seasonals have all left!! read more

Stayed here a few times this season, most recently was Labor Day weekend. What a beautiful campground. Clean new bathrooms, giant blow up slides, excellent entertainment on weekends. The sites are tremendous. The views are absolutely breathtaking. The staff could not be any nicer. It's so quiet. Great place for families. I cannot understand the poor reviews as my experience was the exact opposite of what was said. read more

Nickerson may have undergone changes but we are glad we stayed! We enjoy all the activities and peaceful evenings! The sites are large and easy to get into as well! read more

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Amazing Camp Ground. Beautiful and safe and ground staff was a pleasure to deal with. read more

The new owners have established a new flag policy that only allows American flags to be flown. Since they do not appear to support our Countries armed services or our police/ EMS I guess they no longer need my business. Its sad they made us take down the flags that I have flown at every other campground without an issue. I for one will never support this campground again. read more

Catskill Mountians/Gilboa Koa Holiday - Its hard to believe a family owned campground would make you take down the United States Marine Corps flag and the Police/EMS flag. - Campgrounds Near Me - Gilboa, New York

Have been camping here for quite some time. Remember being there as a kid with my parents. Sorry to say I won't be going back. Rates for pretty much everything there are getting completely out of hand. Extremely low water pressure in the mornings-all weekend-less than 10 lbs at one point. Nearly every seasonal camper is or has left the facility-some because of the huge rate increase and some tell us the new owners are not very friendly towards seasonal campers. I do have to say the lower entrance being used is a plus-much easier to get in/out. We saw this type of thing happen at another local campground and the downward spiral continued until it was sold. Those new owners have turned it around. I wish them good luck-but I fear it is falling on deaf ears. read more

this used to be such a family oriented campground, but not anymore. The new owner and her lawyer daughter have made so many new rules and regulations changes that 95% of the seasonals are leaving, which speaks volumes. They are self centered, arrogant and not about family camping. The prices have skyrocket, can not bring your own firewood, and so much more. Beware read more

I grew up at this campground the last 28 years and the new owners have ruined it for so many of us. My parents met here, got married here and raised 7 children here. We all had hopes of raising our families here and that is no longer the plan as the new owners have ruined our happy place. read more

Use to be a real nice family oriented campground. Since the new owners took over, the nicest thing is leaving! Wild, disrespectful adult adolescents get out of control, and the park does nothing about it. Speed limits are not enforced, and some fly thru the park, making it dangerous for everyone, especially children. Garbage used to be picked at your site throughout the day and brought up by the entrance, but now there are overflowing dumpsters all over the place, which have caused fly and rodent infestations. I had to hang nasty fly strips all around my canopy and caught mice in my camper constantly. The water was absolutely disgusting! I'm guessing the new owners didn't do as much as the previous owner did as far as water treatment. It smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and discolored. Most of the time, there was little to no pressure and a couple of times no water at all. This was my 5th year camping at Nickerson and these issues were not there in the past. I have been camping for about 50 years and I've stayed in many campgrounds. The water at this place was by far the worst I have ever experienced. read more

Catskill Mountians/Gilboa Koa Holiday - Campgrounds Near Me - Gilboa, New York

New owners have ruined this campground. So sad to see so many people I have camped with for years packing up. Lot rent increase of 1600-6600 depending on site. Such a shame. read more

We have camped here for 10 to 12 years and will NEVER return. We came with a group of nine campers and we are not the only ones not returning. From not having any water for 2 days, them making one of our group take down their first responder flag and almost getting hit by an electric bike after dark we're only a few of the problems. We do not recommend this campground read more

I believe in change and growth I always look outside the box but there are limits. I would never set foot in this new ownership campground again. To those that have loved Nickerson and the memories it gave you for what it was, it is fair to tell you, this is a new Nickerson. It will never be the place you went to and cherished. FACT: This will be a KOA next year. FACT: numerous , maybe in the 100's seasonals, are leaving due to the following facts below FACT: the new owners are unpredictable, changing rules like the tide, giving ridiculous timelines and notice in required changes to seasonal sites, implementing new rules disrespectfully because anger overcame professional notification when the seasonals were following the rules that were previously in place, making up frivolous excuses why certain rules were being changed, blaming previous owners and mgt for the disruptive operations of the campsite, absolute lack of empathy for the emotions seasonals have been forced to endure when they continuously self promote the importance of making this a family campground, childishly blocking seasonals from the seasonal Facebook page when they have raised their voices in protest either by post or verbally. They do not handle issues professionally. Prefer to share important changes on a Facebook post vs direct email. Addressing seasonals in a inappropriate manner - cursed and yelling in public. Never apologetic but defensive. Never wrong and like fine actors in a play when challenged openly reply and post false caring remarks and responses so that their true character is hidden. The perfect definition of gas lighting. We are moving on from our beloved Nickerson site in our beloved Gilboa. Our site is not destined to be ours any longer. It's a new layout that's being implemented. All seasonals in one location. We had held out hope - as they dangled carrots in our faces of great things to come. These new owners raised seasonal site rates to a point that they forcefully either got you to either leave or move somewhere else in the campsite We are incredibly deeply sad. We could not possibly relocate to another site and then live thru the heartbreak of seeing a weekender sitting on our site of over 20 years- They not knowing the memories, the work, the hardships, the love, the history of what they sit on. I wish the new owners could have understood all this. How we could not so easily let go of something that was so scared to our hearts. The pain and complete sadness we are going through. That these were not just camp sites but beloved spaces of a lifetime of memories of families and friends. We had hoped our future grandchildren would be here and this then would be my daughters home when we were old and done. That the legacy would have lived on. I love and will miss everyone of you my Nickerson family. To my dear Nickerson and Gilboa - I love you. Thank you for every single memory I have. It holds such a big part of my life I will always cherish . read more

This campground was recently taken over by new ownership. Her goal is turn it into a KOA. We camped there for 5 years as a seasonal. She treated us how no one should ever be treated. She chased almost all of the seasonals out by raising the seasonal rates an exorbitant amount of money. Sites on the creek (that was dry most of the time or very little water) are $10,000!! SHE IS CRAZY! Kathy is her name and treating people with no respect is her game! Oh, and don't drink the water or give the water to your pets... the water is MUD!! Think twice before going here... seriously! read more

If I could leave zero approval I would. The new owner and her lawyer daughter have ruined the former Nickerson Park Campground. Anyone thinking of going there should NOT. There are major water issues!!!! Kathy Hill Reinhard (the owner) has raised seasonal rates to be so unaffordable, the rules change every day, the staff is miserable. The fact that approximately 120 seasonal have left says it all! Her soul intentions were to get rid of the seasonal campers to make it a KOA. They charge you for the size of the site, how big your camper is, how many amps you use etc, the list goes on and on. RETHINK your decision of spending your hard earned $$ before booking. read more

I wish I could give zero stars. Was a seasonal for eight years. This past summer was very stressful . Every weekend it was a new rule..the owner had no respect for seasonals at all..rates doubled ..electricity doubled. Grandkids a the worst summer this year to the point they didn't even want to go anymore...if over a hundred seasonals left including me..don't you think something is wrong there?also now she is going through people's reviews that they wrote 2 years ago and trying to get them to come back, that is a reach..she is a Karen beware. read more

My family has been coming here for over 20 years and a seasonal for approximately 18,we have left because owners are not very friendly,water pressure is always low or none at all and not very clean so bring a filter,if you are a weekender you can get away with anything,seasonals are stuck with her telling you it's my campground my rules if you don't like it get out,so good luck and if the roughly 100 seasonal people leaving doesn't tell you anything you will find out soon,would not recommend it to anyone to go there and I can't give a zero rating read more

Very nice family park , staff cares about your kids safety and overall peaceful. Cons if you're looking for an RV spot it's very small space . Tent sites are limited and goes quickly . Bathrooms need a little TLC but overall clean. I would recommend this park and def go back . Pros was the swimming hole ! Beautiful water and scenery . read more

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We spent a good 10 years camping at Nickerson's both as weekenders and as seasonals. We loved it there. We raised our son there, made friendships that will last a lifetime, and shared countless memories with people who became our second family. Sadly that all came crashing down this past May when new owners took over and single handedly ruined our beloved haven in under 30 days. Their mantra became, "if you don't like it leave." We expected changes, we expected not to like every change, and we were all willing to give the new owners a fair chance but they came in like a hurricane and made it very well known that they did not respect the old owners or management and that they certainly did not respect or value any of us! Prices on our sites were purposely raised so high ($7000 increase!) to discourage our return, arbitrary rules were put in place and then quickly changed or done away with depending on how the owner felt at any given moment, and don't even get me started on the total lack and disregard for safety! I could go on and on but trust me when I say that this is no longer the wonderful place of years gone by. The prices are too high, the amenities advertised don't exist, there are upcharges for many things, and it is not safe. You will be policed by the owners and her henchmen and will never feel valued or appreciated. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. read more

I'm sorry to say this place has changed so much in a few short months. What went from a thriving community nestled in the woods, went to heck quickly. The new owner Cathy had ostracized her clients so badly they she chased away almost all 180 seasonal campers. I used to come up every year as my father was a seasonal. I've spent the last 23 years there summer after summer. This year I was met with $70+ dollars a night to camp. I was coming in after work and would really only be there last Friday until Sunday. I was told that if I couldn't get in earlier than 9. Please don't come. When I said wow 80 a night with tax. Cathy told me that if I didn't like the prices I could go elsewhere and that I should shop around and see the cost of doing business. Meanwhile I have family there. Seriously? Like I was bringing my trailer in visiting my dad. But she didn't get that far with me to care who she was talking to. I can't believe that what was an amazing place to relax has turned into such a place of hostility and entitlement that you must bow to her to get to enjoy it. I'm just appalled by her behavior on so many levels. Do yourself a favor and follow her directions. Shop around and find another place to camp. You'll thank yourself in the long and short term. read more

I have been camping at Nickerson's for five years, four as a seasonal camper. Early in 2023 we received notice that Nickerson's Campground was bought by new owners, Cathy Reinard and her "lawyer daughter" Chrissy Taylor. My first question to the new owners was will there be any future plans for AEDs purchased for the campground? My husband passed away in our camper in 2021 of a cardiac incident and our site was one of the furthest from the entrance. Nickerson's (NCM) answer was: At this time there are no plans to purchase AEDs. Schoharie EMS has the closest location to us now. It took the ambulance approximately 20 minutes to get there as we waited for the ambulance for my husband. Would you want to wait with your dying loved one for an ambulance for 20 minutes to try and save them or have an AED on site where there were many willing people (RN, EMTs and others) trained and willing to help. Nickerson's (NCM) has over 300 campsites. There would be close to 1,000 people there on a busy weekend and the chances of someone going into cardiac arrest or having an emergency are very possible. But still to this day, there are no AEDs on site. Apparently safety of their guests are not a priority. We were also excited yet nervous about changes until we were told that our beloved Nickerson's would become a KOA in 2024. This was then held over our heads the entire season as changes the owners started to make this year and more to come come in 2024. The seasonal rent would be raised tremendously. We were finally told on September 1st that the 700 row site rates for 2024 seasonals were increasing from $3300 to $10,000. Who in their right mind would pay that ridiculous amount for one pool, waterslides, a creek, sometimes with water, most of the time it's rocks and little water and some organized activities? I was told in an email that we will make more money in these "water" sites as weekenders than as seasonals and that I wouldn't be able afford this increase anyway. Most of the camp season, the "700's/water sites" are full of rocks and little no water. Yes, we were offered to move to a different area but who wants to uproot their decks, sheds, community that we built to go to another section of the campground not guaranteed we'd even be near each other. That was just the beginning, all season Cathy continues to blame the former owner, that every problem in the campground was his fault and would never own up to or take responsibility for problems that arose this year. Also, if paid seasonals brought something up that the new ownership did not like, they would delete you from the NCM Seasonals Facebook page as a punishment, how professional is that. This is what we dealt with the entire season. The water was often brown, stinky and had exceptionally low pressure. Questioned whether to bathe, cook or give it to my dog to drink. Don't let the 4.5 star rating fool you. Look at the 2023 season ratings or ask a 2023 seasonal camper. Over 150 seasonal campers are pulling out by this weekend, so ask them why. Cathy and her daughter are going to continue to push the once loved Nickersons into the ground with their greed. So, before you book your next trip to NCM Campground do your research. read more

I STRONGLY encourage guests and seasonals to think long and hard about making Nickerson's Catskill Mountain Campground a place to bring your families. This used to be a family campground where everyone watched out for each other and made the campground a home. I personally have made many friends, memories, and a camp family since I began camping here. Since being taken over by a new owner (Cathy) prices have skyrocketed and continue to do so without notice. Seasonals that have been there for years are being forced out by price hikes because they don't "fit" with the owners choice for clientele. As a seasonal, I have witnessed the owner (Cathy's) complete disrespect for employees, seasonals, and visitors including public yelling, screaming, and cussing out a seasonal threatening to have them escorted out by the police (for expressing a safety concern). I am absolutely sick over how disrespectful the owner has been and how she is destroying this family environment blaming everything on previous owners and managers (that she has driven away with her behavior) and treating her current customers like trash. I will not return to this campground while Cathy owns it and I encourage you not to either. read more

If I could give these owners 0 stars I would. This woman, who is desperate to transition a family campground into a KOA corporation, has raised prices almost 300%-pushing hard working families that have made this campground their happy place out. My parents have been seasonals since childhood and I grew up there every summer along with many other campers. These new owners have forced more than 100 families out. Not to mention, God forbid you have an emergency. One camper had a medical emergency and the store workers not only failed to answer the emergency line (however were able to be reached on the reservation line) but weren't ready at the gate to let the EMTs through nor were they directed to the site even after they had been notified!! The fire department was livid. Save your money and protect your well-being by choosing another place to camp- there are plenty of beautiful locations with much more to offer! These people are part of the problem with America and the reason why we can't have nice things anymore. Truly a devastation for many. read more

If a beautiful, peaceful camping experience with Bald Eagles and swimming in a fresh water creek is for you? Than Nickersons Campground is for you. On the flip side, if your looking for a non stop party than keep looking... Drinking and hanging out with friends and for sure, but not a party type campground. There are plenty of others if that's your cup of twisted tea... read more

his is a beautiful campground. The staff is wonderful and so helpful. Our towed car was dead when we arrived and they immediately offered to help and got it running for us. They stopped by the site to make sure we were getting in OK and were so friendly. They collect garbage all day if you just put your trash bag out. As we were leaving, one of the staff suggested a route for us that was so scenic. The campground has wonderful amenities and is in a beautiful area of NY. I would definitely stay there again and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to stay in that area. read more

We rented the RV for 4 days and 3 nights with our grandkids. The RV was clean inside and outside. The lots are very large and have a fire ring. All the buildings on site are clean and nicely kept. The pool was clean and most of all you have to check out the water slides. Our grandkids played all day on them. Every employee was nice and very friendly always asking if you need anything. If you have young kids or grandkids, this is the place for you. The only bad part was telling the grandkids we have to go home and they all cried. read more

Really good and really bad. Some people celebrate very loud. It's a tent where you will be sleeping. So, everything! you will hear. If you have neighbor like this then you will have NO sleep. However, the area is gorgeous: clean water, birds..... The price is excellent. I wish people wear more considerate. read more

We are bloggers that writes camping adventures. This campground is tucked away and it is a beautiful and wondrous place. The scenery, the water was very lovely. I came to camp with my partner by the pool side this summer and the room is remarkably spacious. You are not sitting on top of one another from other campers. The place is very peaceful and enjoyed every minute of it. The amenities are wonderful, the amounts of things the children can do in this place is very nice to see. There is a hiking trail that lead to a beautiful waterfall where the water ran like a beautiful white dress. There are farm stands along the way to this campground that are locally picked. Shocking water slides in the campground next to an in-ground pool. The best part for myself was the free ice cream, Italian ice, and sherbert they were giving out to all the campers. But of course who doesn't like ice cream? And I loved how they accommodated to those who may have allergens by having the choices. Not many places does such a thing! My partner and I had thought of becoming a full member of the campground but as gorgeous as the place may be and plenty for children to enjoy, we were highly disappointed with the services we received and how children were treated. There are no owners in sight and the manager does not make you feel welcome. The manager make you feel as a nuisance. Their hospitality needs a lot of work. The staff who is an older lady at their front desk is unhealthily unstable in her position. I was in the store looking at their food selections (which was not much) as a few children came in. She was inappropriately rude with unnecessary compliments to young children that did not deserve to be spoken in those terms. As some adults had come in after she was abruptly rude to them as well. Although, when an employee entered, her tone changed immediately. When I came up to the register to make my purchases, her deathly looks with an attitude of hate was not admired. I was uncertain with this place and began to ask other full members that camp here of how the place is throughout in order for us to make our decisions on considering to come back. But with very heavy complaints by more than a dozen members of the same person may also determine their stay for the following year from fairly new members and older members, makes me question if we should come back. Some repeated that this lady has some mental instability and that can never be good in a thriving campground if the members themselves are uncomfortable with an employee. Furthermore, until they have their positions situated on hand. We will not be coming back and move forward with other campgrounds in the surrounding Catskills that can offer us another story we can blog. read more