Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park allows pets on their scenic wooded sites, offering a convenient getaway for campers with dogs approximately 45 minutes from Ardsley. The pet-friendly environment features clean tent platforms for comfortable camping, with both RV hookups and rustic tent sites available. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the campground and on surrounding trails. Most campsites include fire rings with grates, picnic tables, and access to regularly maintained shower facilities. The campground becomes notably quiet during weekdays and off-season periods, making these times ideal for campers seeking a peaceful experience with their pets. Raccoons and other wildlife frequently visit the area, so proper food storage is essential when camping with pets.
Hiking trails throughout Harriman State Park welcome leashed dogs, with numerous paths accessible directly from the campground. The expansive trail system accommodates various difficulty levels for dog walks, from gentle lakeside strolls to more challenging terrain. Several campgrounds in the region, including Croton Point Park, provide pet-friendly cabin options in addition to standard tent and RV sites. The tent camping areas typically offer more privacy and space between sites than the RV sections. Weather considerations include preparing for potential rain and wind, especially when camping with pets during spring and fall seasons. Bears occasionally venture into camping areas searching for food, requiring all campers with pets to store food securely in vehicles rather than tents or at picnic tables.
$17 - $20 / night
"15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"
"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."
$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."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
$145 - $180 / night
"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
$45 - $55 / night
"Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
$74 - $130 / night
"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
$17 / night
"With Covid/social distancing requirements, many sites are closed so it’s extra quiet and spread out. I stayed at site 6 with my seven year-old daughter from Tue-Thur."
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
$130 / night
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
$25 - $40 / night
"Love the proximity to NYC - I always look for areas that are not too far, but not too close to NY. Beautiful but small-ish tent sites."
"We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future."
$85 - $120 / night
GuideI grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.
benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer
GuideCamp Gateway in Brooklyn New York is one of my favorite places to visit. I went to college in New York, and loved to get out of the busy city and go camping and be outdoors. Camp Gateway was always a place that I loved to go. It is pretty close to town-which is crazy because you feel like you are miles away. Camp Gateway does offer a lot of different activities for everyone. One thing I love to do is go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. My girlfriends and I tried to do this once a month to get away from the city and school. Because you are so close to the city, you can plan outdoor activities as well as some activities in the city. My friends and I stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to. You can also walk, hike or ride your bike along multiple paths- I have done the Fort Tilden trail (I just walked, but there were multiple people that passed us on their bikes). Within the campground they do have some fire pits- which my friends and I always use because we love cooking smores and hot dogs for dinner. A little further away from the campground, about 10-15 miles there is a place where you can do horseback riding, see the Statue of Liberty (which is gorgeous!), and there is a little beach area. This beach area is where I do my kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Again, its not very far away...you can either drive there, walk or ride your bike. The road is paved, which is nice. I stayed here also with my parents, and I know my dad went golfing one day (I didn't go, but he said it was awesome)- and again that was only a 10 minute drive from our camping spot. This campground like I said, does offer quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't really feel like you are "camping" because things are pretty close by, but it definitely is worth going to and trying.
RangerVery plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!
LegendWe tried this campground without knowing what was safe and where to stay for visit New York City. It is located in Brooklyn and is little removed from everything. The sites are at Floyd Bennett Field which is an old airfield. The atmosphere here is eerily cool at the same time. You basically park and camp on the asphalt by the old hangars. No hookups at all but they do have a camp store and bath house. If you are tent camping, there are some grassy sites.
The campground is located right on Jamaica Bay so there were people fishing all the time from the seawall. At night, you could hear cars doing burnouts right next to us. To get to all the action in the city, we had to take a bus and then the subway. The travel was a headache but better than trying to drive in to New York City in our RV. One way to improve here would be to have some security at night as well as access to clean water and dump station. They remained locked most of the time for some reason.
The best part of this place was the free tour of Hangar B by some guys doing restoration of old planes (HARP). They had some great stories and gave us history of the planes on display.
ScoutRecently, we camped here for a week. We don’t ever post negative reviews like this. The last day, we experienced a violent attack by a very large and aggressive Pit Bull. The Pit Bull did not have a collar or a leash and was accidently let out of the RV to roam free and unsupervised. It immediately ran to our site(4 sites away) and attacked our dog that was tied at the time. The incident was unprovoked. While trying to save our dog, my wife and I were also attacked. The wounds were serious enough to require emergency transport to a hospital for treatment including stitches. All we could think of was what might have happened if our granddaughter had been playing with our dog.
To put it mildly, their existing pet policy is grossly lacking. They never checked what breed of dog or ask to see documentation of shots when we were registering. Yogi Bear Jellystone Park needs to better manage their pet policy to address aggressive dog breeds and ensure the safety of campers. We camped there for seven days and saw multiple sites have more than one large dog, which in many places we’ve camped at would have been banned due to breed type or size. We have RV’ed extensively across the US and have never seen such careless enforcement of a pet policy regarding aggressive dog breeds. Seriously, think about avoiding this park if you have pets or small children.
TravelerSome things you should be aware of before booking: The office, playground, dog park, pool, laundry are located at the top of the hill. Camping spots are downhill, a good distance from the office and amenities. Trash is located off site in a pullout on the road you drive in on. There are 2 showers for women and 2 for men. Both are old and not well maintained or in our experience clean, either. In general the camping spots are not well maintained, weedy, un-level and picnic tables are weathered and warped. This resort campground is composed of mainly residents, the rules (we observed) apply to the overnight campers, not the residents. Children of the residents run free all day and past curfew in the evenings unsupervised. The setting is quiet, the views from the upper level are lovely. With some updating of bath facilities, cleaning and leveling of campsites, uniform enforcement of rules, Pleasant Acres could become a resort destination.
GuideThis place is kind of a toss up for me. On one hand, I enjoy it because it's a little slice of heaven in the hell of one of the busy areas of New York. I hate this place for the same reason. It's not really camping if you're going to see a play and then go tour the Statue of Liberty. It just doesn't seem right to me. If I HAVE to be in New York, maybe I'd consider staying here again just to get myself out of the city for a bit. But this definitely isn't your "great outdoors/rest and relaxation" kind of place.
ScoutThere is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.
ScoutVery reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City.
Camping near Ardsley offers convenient weekend getaways with access to wooded landscapes across the New York-New Jersey border. The area sits at the junction of the Hudson Valley and Westchester County, creating varied camping opportunities at elevations from near sea level to 1,300 feet. Regional campgrounds experience mild summers with average July temperatures around 75°F and cooler spring and fall camping seasons.
Swimming access at multiple lakes: Campers visiting Croton Point Park can enjoy swimming at the private beach which is staffed with lifeguards during summer months. According to Anil S., "We had a gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Hiking with elevation changes: At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, trails range from beginner-friendly to more challenging routes with varied terrain. "I believe there are over 40 miles of trails in this area," notes Ethan K., who recommends the reservation for "those who want to camp near NYC but not drive too far."
Winter camping options: Unlike seasonal sites, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation remains open year-round and offers access to winter recreation. Jeff W. shares that "it's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
NYC day trips: For campers wanting urban adventures, Liberty Harbor RV Park serves as a convenient base, just minutes from public transportation. "The ONLY thing we really liked about it was it's convenient location to the city with easy access to the ferry boats," mentions Ericka T., highlighting the practical advantage of this location.
Platform camping sites: Raised platforms at Beaver Pond Campground provide dry camping areas regardless of weather conditions. Ethan K. notes, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Shelters for variable weather: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers lean-to shelters that provide protection from unexpected rain. Will L. confirms, "Stayed three nights and had an amazing time, super cozy by the fire in our shelter and our site was minutes from some amazing trails."
Fewer crowds on weekdays: Campgrounds throughout the region offer more peaceful experiences midweek. Rebecca S. found at Beaver Pond, "The campground was clean and quiet...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."
Dog-friendly reservation policies: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Ardsley require leashes but welcome well-behaved dogs throughout their facilities. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Paulene-Amanda M. shares, "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it. The campground is small but also secluded."
Wildlife awareness needed: Bears and raccoons are common across the region and require proper food storage. Steve W. reports from Beaver Pond: "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Train noise at some locations: Croton Point Park sits near active train tracks that can disturb light sleepers. Andrew A. warns, "Only down side is there is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night."
Limited bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds have restricted bathroom access during busy periods. Jess M. observed at Clarence Fahnestock, "The park rangers told us the plumbing had been re-done in the past year, so the water fountains and water spigots were in great shape and provided cold, clear water. The bathrooms were clean and well-kept."
Reservation timing varies: Dog-friendly campgrounds near Ardsley have different booking windows and policies. For Ward Pound Ridge, Anil S. advises, "There is no phone or internet reservations and has to be made in person at the office. I would recommend call earlier and come in few minutes earlier to 9 am when the office opens to find the best spots."
Playgrounds near campsites: Croton Point Park offers family-friendly facilities adjacent to camping areas. Zorina N. reports, "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal."
Quiet midweek options: For families needing calm environments, Clarence Fahnestock State Park offers more peaceful weekday visits. Shelly B. found, "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Off-season swimming access: Campers can enjoy water features without crowds during shoulder seasons. Courtney D. notes, "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful."
Site selection for privacy: Many campgrounds offer varied site layouts, with some providing more seclusion for families. Christina L. recommends at Mahlon Dickerson, "The sites are very large and I suggest site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it and I think it's the best tent site they have."
Limited hookups: While most dog-friendly campgrounds near Ardsley offer some RV services, full hookups are uncommon. At Croton Point Park, Jonathan C. explains, "Tent site is after the RV site, so use their LX before you get to site if you can."
Dump station access: For longer stays, Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground provides dump facilities for RVs. Lee D. observed, "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use. The laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters."
Hose length considerations: Water connections may require longer hoses than standard at some facilities. At Mahlon Dickerson, antruze found, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Variable site sizes: Some campgrounds accommodate larger rigs better than others. Keith and Tia S. advise about Liberty Harbor RV Park, "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ardsley, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ardsley, NY is New York City North/Newburgh KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ardsley, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 48 dog-friendly camping locations near Ardsley, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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