Best Tent Camping near Arden, NY

The Harriman State Park region near Arden, New York offers several tent camping options within a forested landscape along the Hudson Valley. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provides tent sites with access to electric hookups and trash facilities, while Sebago Cabin Camp offers tent camping with more extensive amenities including showers and toilets. Primitive tent camping is available at the Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road site, which provides a more secluded backcountry experience for tent campers seeking solitude.

Most tent sites in the region feature natural terrain with minimal site development. Walk-in tent sites are common at locations like the Harriman Outdoor Center, where parking is typically a quarter-mile from campsites, requiring campers to transport gear on foot. Fire rings are standard at established sites, though some locations like the Harriman Outdoor Center restrict campfires to communal areas rather than individual sites. Bear activity is present throughout the region, with some campgrounds providing bear boxes for food storage. Primitive tent sites generally lack amenities, with campers needing to pack in all supplies and water. During peak summer weekends, arriving early is recommended as first-come, first-served sites fill quickly.

The tent camping experience in this area offers direct access to extensive trail networks, including sections of the Appalachian Trail. Areas farther from developed facilities provide deeper seclusion and opportunities for backcountry tent camping with fewer crowds. The forested setting creates natural separation between tent sites at most campgrounds, though proximity varies by location. One camper noted that "the walk-in sites (8-15) are just a little bit more set back and kind of wonderfully wooded all around," highlighting the appeal of more remote tent sites. Primitive tent campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including bears, and practice proper food storage techniques. The region's varied terrain offers options for both novice tent campers seeking basic amenities and experienced backpackers looking for more challenging primitive tent sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Arden, New York (43)

    1. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 523-0636

    "Campfires are restricted to certain areas and you have to share.  They do have bear boxes available as this is bear country.  Very well run campground and cabins. Great Lake to swim."

    "I camped on one of the platforms, which was very nice and did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms. One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef."

    2. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Sloatsburg, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 429-2039

    $74 - $130 / night

    "Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. The cabins are "rustic" - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge."

    "Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."

    3. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."

    "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."

    4. West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Highland Mills, NY
    5 miles
    Website

    $20 - $150 / night

    "Yes, this is a military-only campground but, that doesn't take away from how incredible it is and that is properly advertised. 

    This place is incredible. "

    5. Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road Primitive

    1 Review
    Stony Point, NY
    6 miles

    "Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road is a high difficulty 15 mile out and back trail. At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain."

    6. Peace and Carrots Farm Bluebird Tiny Home

    1 Review
    Chester, NY
    9 miles
    Website

    $90 / night

    "In September my Girlfriend (who has never been camping) and I made the trip to New York."

    7. Wawayanda State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    New Milford, NJ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 853-4462

    "Fantastic loop hike near some amazing hidden lakes. One downside is there were obviously people who had visited and didn't understand what LEAVE NO TRACE means. We'll bring a trashbag next time."

    "It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."

    8. Moon Valley Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Milford, NJ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 900-2773

    $50 - $275 / night

    "This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc."

    "The campground is also near the Appalachian trail while still only about an hour from Manhattan!  Check them out and leave a review with your adventures during your stay!"

    9. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2

    1 Review
    Ringwood, NJ
    14 miles

    "Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the second of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."

    10. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1

    1 Review
    Ringwood, NJ
    15 miles

    "Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the first of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Arden, NY

574 Reviews of 43 Arden Campgrounds


  • Emma N.
    Sep. 27, 2018

    Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    Lacking in privacy

    I stayed at Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park for two nights with my husband. We chose this campground because of its close proximity to Schunemunk Mountain. We found a lovely 6.4 mile lollipop/loop route hike that weekend, complete with beautiful rolling meadows, gradual hills, and steep climbs.

    Due to some mentally-draining traffic on the way, we arrived to the campground around 9:30pm. The camp office was closed, but we were able to check in at the ranger station across the parking lot. At the ranger station we were greeted by a bunch of spiders in their webs. I'm not going to lie, I freaked out! Once we were all checked-in, the ranger explained the usual rules (quiet hours are from 10pm-7am, check out by 11am, etc.). A rule that he made sure to stress was that no alcohol is allowed in the campground.

    Harriman State Park is located in a densely-forested area, and there is very little light pollution, so we didn't notice until the morning how little privacy there is between sites. There are hardly any trees within the campground, and you can see and hear just about everything. We had some rowdy neighbors, so it was a long night.

    We stayed in a regular tent site, but there was also the option of sites with platforms. Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. The campground had restrooms with flush toilets and showers. There were a good amount of insects crawling around in the restrooms, including what we think were ticks. The showers were a bit dirty and old-looking. However, the showers were free and hot, so I won't complain. :)

    My 3-star rating mainly stemmed from the noise an major lack of privacy.

  • Shelly B.
    Oct. 3, 2017

    Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    Busy Place on Weekends - Quiet On Weekdays

    Fahnestock State Park, Carmel, NY

    Busy Campground on Weekends!

    This park has a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch! If you are into fishing, there is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!

    Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck! We stayed in site number 1, and I found it to be just wooded enough. Almost all of the sites offered privacy.... Even when the campground was full. I do feel the campground bathhouse really needed more attention... while it had clearly been painted this past year, it was very “buggy” - and did not appear to have been thoroughly cleaned since spring... (yuck!).

    PRODUCT REVIEW: As a ranger for Dyrt.com, sometimes I am offered the opportunity to test and review various products. At Fahnestock State Park in New York state, I reviewed my Gregory Maven 55L Women’s backpack (see accompanying video).

    Weighing in at 3 pounds 6 ounces, the Gregory Maven was a nice mid-weight pack for me to take on my yearly 2 1/2 week Appalachian Trail hike.

    Normally, I like to save the best for last when I do a review; however, this time I just can’t wait to spread the news about my favorite features! The Maven has a Matrix Ventilation System, which provides exceptional ventilation on the pack’s back panel. This kept my back from being its usual sweaty mess! The second feature that blew me away was how cool my water stayed in this backpack! With other packs, the water gets warmed up from heat radiating off the hiker’s back. This didn’t happen with my Gregory pack! Every pull off my water - from the beginning of the day until hours later - provided me with a refreshingly cool drink. I actually questioned other hikers with Gregory packs to see if I was the only one experiencing this - The other hikers, who had different Gregory models, confirmed that their backs and water were staying cooler too! Added bonus: I was able to pull out the hydration sleeve and use it as a daypack a few times!

    The Maven’s pockets helped me keep my pack much more organized than in the past. It has a lower sleeping bag compartment, top pocket with separate zipper areas (one has a place to attach a car key!), side pockets, hip pockets, and even pockets on the shoulder harnesses! I can’t forget the front pocket, which held the rain fly!

    The pack fit was great, but do be careful to check your sizing if you are looking at both the 45L and 55L. While I am a XS/S with the 55L, I would have been a S/M with the 45L.

    I used this pack for 2 1/2 weeks backpacking over 200 miles on the Appalachian Trail through the states of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The Maven did an outstanding job keeping my possessions organized and dry as well as keeping me comfortable and happy on the trail! This will definitely be my pack of choice for future hikes!

  • Doug W.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Valley View Group Campground

    Beautiful River Site

    This is a great campsite right on the river. There are 5 different sites all nicely marked out. Each has its own fire ring. There is also a central area with a big fire ring for everyone to get together. Bear boxes at each site for food storage.

  • Dwight D.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Jenny Jump State Forest

    Cute Comfortable Shelter

    This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The "shelter" is what we would describe as a "cabin"; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!

    There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.

    We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

    Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.

  • R
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    Quiet, off-season, mid-week retreat

    We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available. Our rustic tent site had a few good options for pitching a tent, as well as picnic table and fire ring.

    Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great. Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible. Facilities were clean and what you'd expect from a campground.

    Would definitely return!!

  • Christina H.
    Aug. 6, 2019

    Stokes State Forest

    Stokes State Forest: A nature-lovers dream (Review for Shotwell Campsite)

    I would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone wanting a beautiful, remote setting, but with all of the conveniences that the campgrounds offer. Anyone from a beginner to an expert would enjoy Stokes. Whether it be just a short, relaxing weekend trip or an adventure-packed week long trip, this place has the potential to be whatever you make it.

    Pros:

    • Has the perfect balance of feeling secluded without feeling completely alone in the middle of nowhere; the campsite we were specifically on was just far enough to be remote-feeling and fully private with trees surrounding it

    • Cute little pond right on the campgrounds

    • Our site had a fire ring, a picnic table, and a large sturdy pole with a hook for your lantern/mesh dry bag/etc

    • Even, rocky, yet soft enough ground to sleep on, many trees available for hammock camping

    • There was a huge, nasty storm one night that we stayed there, with terrible downpour and flash flood warnings, our site was elevated and did not get flooded

    • A lot of firewood and kindling in the area to be gathered, or you can buy firewood right from the office

    • Lots of stuff to do in the area for nature-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts (Hiking trails, fishing/fly-fishing, sightseeing, mountain-biking, kayaking/paddle-boarding (rentals in the area if you do not own), hunting, swimming, horseback riding, waterfall-hunting, bird/wildlife watching (there are hawks, rabbits, owls, deer, toads, snakes, turtles, frogs, foxes, bats, salamanders, many interesting bugs, beavers, and bears in the area, you never know what you will see), lots of beautiful brooks and streams throughout the entire park, many awesome remote areas to set up your hammock and relax) Whoever said that there wasn't much to do here is just either not an outdoors person or straight up lying!

    • Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash

    • There are outhouses scattered around, or if you are really needing a clean restroom where you can wash your hands, the park office's restroom is always open and very clean

    • Can be buggy at night time however, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced zero mosquito bites and ZERO ticks on ourselves and even our dog (however she did have a leech on her from playing in the brook all day). We moderately used bug spray on ourselves and the dog had her flea and tick topical on.

    • Beautiful view of the stars on a clear night (Which can be breathtaking especially to city folk or those that cannot see stars from their homes)

    Cons:

    • Can hear the traffic from 206, but generally gets much quieter at night

    • Campsites are close enough that you may occasionally hear other groups if they are being very loud (We were next to a group campsite that had a very noisy party crowd, but could really only hear them at their loudest, and we weren't bothered)

    • Tent sites are located just off the dirt road where people travel to get to their sites, which means other campers' cars will occasionally pass right through your area. If this bothers you, be sure to book a site as far back as possible. Ex: Site T137 should have no vehicle traffic but your own and is the most remote of that area

    • Water fill stations can be a bit busy at certain times

    • Our fire ring rack was bent, but luckily we came prepared with our own rack to place on top of it and it worked out

    • Lots of poison ivy in the area, if you are not immune to it be very mindful of where you are stepping!

    • Our neighbor warned us that they got a flat tire after arriving at their campsite, and after searching their site found a bunch of nails almost intentionally thrown about. It's not the park's fault and the rangers were made aware of it. Carefully check your site after arriving for anything out of place and report to the office if necessary to keep these campsites safe and enjoyable.

    Points of interest nearby the campsite:

    • Big Flat Brook - A beautiful babbling brook that runs all throughout the area. Has great fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. Access to the brook was only a short but beautiful hike north from our site through some thistle fields and woodlands.

    • Buttermilk falls (Tallest waterfall in NJ), Tillman Ravine, Dingmans Ferry/Falls, and my personal favorite, Silver Spray Falls - Multiple gorgeous waterfalls and ravines just waiting to be explored, all within ~15-20 min by car. I definitely recommend checking them out while you are camping here especially if you live far away from the area.

    • Sunrise Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain - Catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset on top of Sunrise Mountain, which is a pleasant, scenic car ride directly to the top where there is a small parking lot, a smelly outhouse, and a nice picnic table area with a great view. Rattlesnake Mountain is a part of the Appalachian Trail and is somewhat barren towards the top which makes for excellent views. Like its name, it's not uncommon to see many snakes in the area, rattlesnakes tend to hang out on the top and sunbathe on the rocks. Keep your pets on a leash and have a stick handy just in case, however, they will leave you alone if you keep your distance.

    • Lake Ashroe, Stony Lake, Lake Ocquittunk - Many lakes for multiple activities in the area such as fishing (trout stocked waters), kayaking, swimming (Stony lake has a beach area with lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Check their website for more info.)

    • Horseback riding - A few great horseback riding places nearby, some offering trail rides through the beautiful park.

    • Appalachian Trail - The widely-known Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia goes right through this area. You may run into very interesting people from all over who are thru-hiking the AT.

    PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR VISIT. LEAVE NO TRACE. KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

  • S
    Jun. 2, 2019

    Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    Lovely campgrounds an hour north of NYC

    Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill. If looking for privacy, back end of campgrounds (#’s 1, 13, 15, 21, 23, etc) provide adequate quietness, a bit hidden and tucked away from the rest. Very near many trailheads and the expansive Lake Welsh. Alcohol prohibited... Uploaded photo/vid from off-season 2019.

  • M
    May. 17, 2015

    High Point State Park Campground

    Large Private Lakeside Sites

    We recently stayed at site 3 at the campground at High Point State Park in NJ. It was our first time there, and we were surprised at how nice it was.

    There are about 40 to 50 sites around Sawmill Lake. Many of these sites , like ours, are walk in sites (about a 50 yard walk) that sit lakeside. The sites were large and spread out, and we felt like we had a good amount of privacy.

    Our site had a picnic table, and a fire ring with a cooking grate. Although, we didn't have one, we saw some sites had tent platforms

    There are a few sites that sit higher up, and further from the lake, for RV and or car campers not looking to walk to there site. These had less privacy because they sit close to the road.

    The bathrooms with flush toilets were ok when we were there. There are water spigots around the campground, but there are no showers or sinks. It's noted that there is no camp store at the campground, and the closest grocery was about 1/2 hour away, so come prepared. They did sell firewood at the park headquarters , which is about 10 minutes away from the campground.

    It was pretty buggy (including ticks), so don't forget your deep woods.

  • Dwight D.
    Jun. 6, 2021

    High Point State Park Campground

    Nice Secluded Campsites

    My first time camping at High Point State Park, Sawmill Area, September 2019. I chose a campsite close to the restrooms and water spigot. It turned out to be very secluded, minus the foot traffic to the restroom at all hours. The campsite is mostly gravel so the platform is necessary. There are no trees for hammocking, so I made the best of it with the platform and my car. There was also not a lot of shade during the day. I moved my chair around to chase the shade. It was hot during the day and chilly at night.

    Campground is close hiking trails and the High Point Monument(20min drive).

    Each campsite has a firepit/ring, picnic table, and lantern hook. Campsite sells fire wood. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets, no sinks, no showers, no bad smell.


Guide to Arden

Tent camping near Arden, New York provides access to the western Hudson Highlands region with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,400 feet. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and rocky outcroppings with numerous streams and small lakes. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels than surrounding areas due to the proximity of multiple lakes and the Hudson River.

What to do

Kayaking at Lake Sebago: The beach area at Sebago Cabin Camp offers kayak rentals during summer months, with easy lake access for beginners and experienced paddlers. "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day," notes Ethan K. from Sebago Cabin Camp.

Hiking challenging trails: The Stonetown Circular Trail features primitive camping opportunities along an 11-mile loop with significant elevation changes. "This is a great spot to set up camp because it has a wide area and an amazing view. You will find the site right next to the American Flag at the top of the mountain," shares Ethan K. about the first primitive site approximately two miles from the trailhead.

Swimming with lifeguards: Several lakes in the region offer supervised swimming areas with designated hours. "The new docks around the swimming area create a safer swimming experience for even the most inexperienced swimmers, allowing them safe and obvious perimeters," mentions Heather M. from West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area.

What campers like

Platform tent sites: Elevated wooden platforms at some campgrounds provide flat, dry surfaces for tent camping. "This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake. They have both cabins for rent and camping spots on platforms which are great, especially when it rains," explains Ethan K. from The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center.

Weekend activities: Many campgrounds organize structured weekend events for campers. "Sebago has a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too," shares Sara P. from Sebago Cabin Camp.

Primitive sites with water access: For those seeking seclusion, backcountry sites often feature nearby water sources. "This is a nice spot to set up camp because it is right next to a flowing stream with fresh water. The site is marked by a sign on a tree that says 'The Island'," notes Ethan K. about Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2.

What you should know

Bear safety requirements: Many campgrounds in the region require proper food storage. "They do have bear boxes available as this is bear country. Very well run campground and cabins," mentions Thomas M. about The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center.

Parking logistics: Several tent sites require walking from parking areas. "The parking for your car is 1/4 mile away but they allow you to unload and give you a wagon to take stuff to your site," explains Thomas M.

Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have limited or no cellular connectivity. "Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING," states Sara P. from Sebago Cabin Camp.

Campfire restrictions: Rules regarding fires vary significantly between campgrounds. "Campfires are restricted to certain areas and you have to share," notes Thomas M. about The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center.

Tips for camping with families

Look for accessible tent sites: Some areas offer family-friendly tent sites with minimal hiking required. "This is a great park/camp for groups. They have cabins and RV sites and now that the Tapan Zee bridge work is done most of them are now open again," suggests Andrew A. from Croton Point Park.

Consider meal plans: Some facilities offer food service options that can simplify family camping. "They offer a meal plan (Option for breakfast, lunch, dinner) that you can get at their dinning hall and I HIGHLY recommend that option. Worth the added cost," advises Thomas M.

Pack light for primitive sites: When camping with children at backcountry sites, minimize gear. "The only difficult thing about this site is that it is at the top of a fairly difficult rock scramble. I would advise packing light if making camp at this site because a heavy pack would make this scramble up the mountain even harder," cautions Ethan K. about Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #1.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: The region offers few full-hookup sites for RVs. "Between rustic power-only campsites that give you a true camping experience and upgraded but, still simple cabins which allow campers of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoor experience, there is something for everyone," explains Heather M. from West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area.

Consider smaller rigs: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. "Clean park with a place to swim but only within buoys and when a life guard is present. Only one or two bathrooms in the whole place so be prepared to go for a walk when you have to go," notes Isabel L. from Croton Point Park.

Check seasonal availability: Some RV facilities close during winter months. "You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge. Absolutely zero phone service which was AMAZING," mentions Sara P. about the rustic cabin options at Sebago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Arden, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arden, NY is The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Arden, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 43 tent camping locations near Arden, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.