Camping options near Salisbury Mills, New York range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks within a 30-minute drive. The area sits in the Hudson Valley at elevations between 300-1,200 feet, creating microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Most campgrounds in this region report higher occupancy rates in July and August when temperatures average 80-85°F during the day and 60-65°F at night.
What to do
Hiking trail access: At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, campers can explore multiple hiking options. "Been here a dozen times! Great hiking for all abilities. Free camping at stone shelters. Beautiful lakes all over the place," notes one regular visitor. The center offers access to a 1.5-mile loop trail around the lake.
Water activities: Swimming and boating are popular at several campgrounds. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," reports a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. The park maintains a beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse.
Apple picking: Fall brings unique opportunities in the area. "If you are in to apple picking it is a short drive and it is easy to get into town to take the train to and from NYC," mentions a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. Multiple orchards within 15-20 minutes of Salisbury Mills offer apple and pumpkin picking from September through early November.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing at Beaver Pond Campground. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes one reviewer. This campground, approximately 15 miles from Salisbury Mills, offers a variety of camping environments.
Off-season peace: Less crowded camping experiences are available in spring and fall. "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," reports one Beaver Pond camper who enjoyed the tranquility of off-peak season.
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned in reviews. "The bathrooms are kept very clean as well. The trails to walk on are perfect to get out of the campsite for a few hours," notes a local who frequents Winding Hills Park. The park also offers fishing opportunities with several water spigots throughout the grounds.
What you should know
Seasonal bathroom closures: Some facilities close during off-season camping. "Rita who helped make our reservation is a treasure. Extremely helpful! Basic sites with full hookups for about $80 a night. All the buildings are closed due to Covid, so no laundry & no bathroom," reports a camper at Black Bear RV Park, which operates year-round but with limited services in winter.
Reservation systems vary: Each campground handles booking differently. Winding Hills Park operates primarily on a first-come basis. "Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season; Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Must book the entire holiday weekend 3 days ($90 for non electric sites add $5 each day for electric)," explains a regular visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are present in the region. "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground," shares one camper describing their check-in experience at Beaver Pond. Many campgrounds provide bear boxes or specific food storage requirements.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Families with children have several strong options. "This place is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," says a visitor to Jellystone Park™ Gardiner. The campground includes a water park section with shallow areas for younger children.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas. "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time," notes another Jellystone visitor, highlighting the range of options for different age groups.
Noise levels: Consider site location when camping with children. "We found the sites closer to the Playground side/closer to the bathrooms to be more noisy. Also those sites are closer together which would be good for larger groups," advises a Winding Hills camper, suggesting families may want either proximity to or distance from these areas depending on preference.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: RVers should check site dimensions before booking. "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs," notes a visitor to Black Bear RV Park, one of the best places to camp near Salisbury Mills for larger vehicles.
Winter camping options: Limited campgrounds remain open year-round. "We are returning to the south after spending a couple months of fall in New England... This was our first stop and primarily chosen because it was one of the few places along our route that was open for RVs in the off season," shares a winter visitor to Black Bear RV Park.
Water availability: Check water status when booking. "The water smells a bit... most of the sites have electricity," notes a Winding Hills visitor. Some campgrounds shut off water services during colder months or have sulfur-scented water that may affect RV tank filling plans.
