The Westchester County region surrounding Bedford Hills offers diverse camping options during its 180-day camping season. With elevations ranging from 220 to 620 feet above sea level, the area experiences temperature variations of 10-15 degrees between lakeside and hilltop campsites. Many campgrounds in this region remain accessible into early December, with selective winter facilities for hardy campers.
What to Do
Hiking at Beaver Pond: Access multiple trail networks from Harriman State Park's 45-acre campground. "There are hiking, biking, and non-arthritic kneers, as most are rated moderate to challenging. Don't fret, trails that are rated easy and accessible to disabled are equally enjoyable and beautiful," notes a visitor at Beaver Pond Campground.
Swimming options: Most lakes have designated swimming areas with specific operational hours. "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.
City exploration: RV parks near Bedford Hills provide convenient access to NYC attractions. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll," advises a visitor at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
What Campers Like
Quieter weekday camping: Several campgrounds experience different atmospheres on weekends versus weekdays. "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" explains a Fahnestock State Park camper.
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds feature small farms or wildlife. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," notes a visitor at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort.
Seasonal activities: Many rv parks near Bedford Hills offer scheduled events throughout camping season. "It was Christmas in July while I was there, with decorations and planned activities to accompany it," shares a camper at Interlake RV Park.
What You Should Know
Site selection importance: Research specific sites before booking as quality varies significantly. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site," explains a Fahnestock visitor.
Restroom conditions: Bathhouse facilities vary widely across campgrounds. "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!" notes one Fahnestock camper, while another reports "The bathrooms were clean and well-kept, no stalls ran out of toilet paper."
Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds have active wildlife. "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night," advises a camper at Croton Point Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground accessibility: Select sites near play areas for easier supervision. "Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper," reports a Croton Point Park visitor.
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer organized children's events. "They offer several planned activities for kids and they have nice facilities like a great swimming pool and ping pong," notes a Pleasant Acres visitor.
Beach considerations: Some campgrounds have family-friendly swimming areas. "It 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," explains a camper at Fahnestock.
Tips from RVers
Extended stay limitations: Policies vary regarding leaving equipment unattended. "We especially enjoyed being able to leave our trailer on the site for the week and return the following weekend and having everything set up and ready to go. You can no longer do that," notes a Pleasant Acres visitor.
Winter operations: Some RV parks near Bedford Hills offer limited winter camping. "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," explains a visitor at Black Bear RV Park.
Site positioning: For group camping, consider site orientation. "We parked backwards in our site to buddy up with our friends. The campsites really were a lot bigger but we didn't care because we wanted to share the living space," shares a Pleasant Acres camper.
