Kunatah Camp Entrance

For New York families and outdoor enthusiasts, the mention of **Kunatah Camp Entrance** in Tusten, NY, is not typically associated with a public, walk-up tourist campground. Instead, this location serves as the entry point to **Camp Kunatah**, a significant and historic part of the larger **Ten Mile River Scout Camps (TMR) reservation**. Located deep in Sullivan County, this facility operates primarily as a specialized group campground for the Boy Scouts of America, specifically under the Greater New York Councils.

While the designation is a **Campground**, local New Yorkers should understand that this facility is not a general public RV park or tent site for casual drop-in stays. It is a destination designed for structured, program-based camping, catering mainly to Scouting units from New York and beyond. Its focus is on educational and recreational activities, offering merit badges, hiking, boating, and other advancement opportunities for youth.

Camp Kunatah holds a significant place in the history of the TMR reservation, often described as one of the most historic camps in the system. It is located on the beautiful **Rock Lake**, which provides a picturesque setting for waterfront activities like swimming, kayaking, and sailing. The presence of a dedicated program, including a dining hall that has been known to be Kosher all year under the Star-K certification, highlights its specialized nature and dedication to serving a specific community within the New York metropolitan area's Scouting program.

For non-Scouting groups or individuals, accessing the property for camping is highly restricted, often requiring a "letter of agreement and certificate of insurance" even just to hike on the property. Therefore, the Kunatah Camp Entrance is truly a gateway to an organized experience rather than a typical open-access campground.

**Location and Accessibility**

The Kunatah Camp Entrance is situated in the Tusten area of New York State, within the ZIP code **12764, USA**. Tusten is a small town in Sullivan County, known for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Delaware River. The Ten Mile River Scout Camps reservation, which Camp Kunatah is part of, is vast and located in a semi-remote, natural setting characteristic of the western Catskills region.

Accessibility to the region is via major New York and regional routes, but the specific roads leading directly to the Camp Kunatah Entrance may be rugged. As one historical account of the area notes, the road to TMR was sometimes described as a "very sketchy dirt road." New Yorkers driving to the camp should expect a journey that emphasizes the natural, wilder side of Sullivan County.

Given its private nature, the **Kunatah Camp Entrance** is highly focused on controlled access. This ensures the safety and privacy of the campers participating in the organized summer programs. The entrance itself is the demarcation point between public roads and the private reservation land. Since it is part of a larger, regulated reserve (TMR), all visits, even by alumni or non-Scouting groups seeking to use the historical trails, must be pre-arranged and follow strict check-in procedures.

**Services Offered**

The services offered at Camp Kunatah are structured around a comprehensive summer camp experience for Scouting troops, rather than general public services. These are designed to be an all-inclusive program stay.

• **Organized Troop Camping:** Primary service is providing fully equipped campsites for Scouting units, allowing for patrol cooking or utilizing the central dining hall.
• **Merit Badge Programs:** A full variety of merit badges are offered, including specialized activities like mountain biking, rappelling, kayaking, and sailing.
• **Recreational Facilities:** Features include access to **Rock Lake** for swimming and boating, a **pool with a slide**, and program areas.
• **Dining Hall Services:** The camp operates a central dining facility, which has been historically certified as **Kosher all year** under the Star-K certification, catering to specific dietary needs of its clientele.
• **Advancement Opportunities:** The camp supports advancement through the ranks for participating Scouts.
• **Hikes and Historical Trails:** Access to a large selection of hikes, including sections of the nationally approved **Ten Mile River Historical Trails**.
• **Winter/Off-Season Camping:** The wider TMR reservation offers facilities like cabins, lean-tos, and tent sites for use outside of summer camp, which must be reserved through the Greater New York Councils.

**Features / Highlights**

Camp Kunatah is distinguished by its unique features, which appeal primarily to the organized youth camping community in New York.

• **Historic Significance:** Known as one of the most historic camps on the Ten Mile River Scout Reservation, it has a rich legacy dating back decades.
• **Program Rich Environment:** The camp offers a massive variety of structured activities and advancement opportunities, making it much more than a simple campground.
• **Waterfront Activities:** Located on **Rock Lake**, it provides excellent opportunities for swimming, boating, and other water-based merit badges.
• **Specialized Dining:** The provision of a dedicated dining hall that accommodates specific dietary laws (historically Kosher) is a rare and significant highlight in the New York camping landscape.
• **"Showplace" Status:** The camp has earned the nickname **"The Showplace of Ten Mile River,"** suggesting a reputation for well-maintained facilities and a quality program.
• **Dedicated Museum:** The proximity to the Ten Mile River Scout Museum offers a unique historical and educational element to the camping experience.

**Contact Information**

To inquire about Camp Kunatah, TMR reservation, or to register for summer programs, New York residents should contact the Greater New York Councils, which oversees the camp. General public or non-Scouting groups must call for reservations and requirements.

Address: Tusten, NY 12764, USA (Entrance Location)

Year-Round Contact (Greater New York Councils, New York, NY): (212) 651-3077

Summer Camp Contact (During Camp Season Only): (845) 252-3775

**What is Worth Choosing Kunatah Camp Entrance (Camp Kunatah)**

For New York residents, choosing the destination accessible via the **Kunatah Camp Entrance** is worth it if you are seeking a highly structured, immersive, and program-rich group camping experience. This is not the typical choice for a casual family weekend, but rather a definitive destination for youth development and outdoor education.

The core reason to choose this location is its **unparalleled dedication to organized camping and youth advancement**. As a part of the Ten Mile River Scout Camps, it offers facilities, staff, and a curriculum—including merit badges, leadership training, and historical hikes—that far surpass a standard public campground. The opportunity to camp on the shores of Rock Lake, utilize a pool with a slide, and benefit from specialized services like the historic Kosher dining hall, makes this a standout option for the specific clientele it serves.

Furthermore, the location in Tusten places participants in one of the most beautiful and wild parts of Sullivan County, providing an authentic Catskills experience. While the entrance itself is simply a checkpoint, passing through it leads to a historical and well-regarded facility, affirming its value as a premier destination for organized group camping and outdoor education for New Yorkers.

Kunatah Camp Entrance

Tusten, NY 12764, USA