Tent camping near Cherry Plain, New York offers diverse wilderness experiences across the Taconic Mountain range that spans New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. The area features elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet with mixed hardwood forests and seasonal streams. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during days with cooler 55-65°F nights, while spring and fall bring significant temperature variations requiring additional layers.
What to do
**Trail exploration: Connect with Ushers Road State Forest for bicycle-friendly nature trails that provide access to numerous camping spots. "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area," notes reviewer The L.
**Winter camping: Experience true winter wilderness at Stratton Pond Shelter for cold-weather backpacking trips. According to Miccal M., "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter."
**Water activities: Visit nearby rivers for seasonal water activities. Reviewer Dominick V. states about Zoar Outdoor, "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting. Highly recommend the site."
What campers like
**Privacy levels: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of tent sites in the region. As Kay D. notes about Alander Trail Camground, "Once you get there, there's quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit of privacy. It's completely free and it usually isn't too busy since most people don't like having to carry all their stuff in that far."
**Clean facilities: Even remote sites maintain good standards. "Although we were the only campers at the time the area was immaculate and not one piece of trash on the ground anywhere! The outhouse was even clean!" reports Liz P. about Alander Trail Camground.
**Wildlife awareness: The region supports active wildlife populations requiring proper precautions. Kay D. shares from their experience, "You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy."
What you should know
**Bear safety: Many campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage. At Alander Trail Camground, "They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby," explains Kay D.
**Pack-in requirements: Be prepared to carry all gear for backcountry sites. Kay D. advises, "You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots."
**Shelter availability: Some locations offer both tent sites and shelters. The Chester Railway Station provides unique accommodations as Esther L. describes: "The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night."
Tips for camping with families
**Unique accommodations: Children often enjoy novelty lodging options. "It is a really fun place to spend a night, especially for a train enthusiast," says Esther L. about Chester Railway Station.
**Noise considerations: Some sites have ambient sounds that might affect light sleepers. Esther L. mentions, "You hear the trains running at night," which might delight train-loving children but disturb others.
**Water safety: When camping near rivers, supervise children closely during water activities. Seth K. notes about Zoar Outdoor, "It's close to where locals jump off outcrops into the lazy river and hang out on the river side."
Tips from RVers
**Limited RV access: Most tent camping areas near Cherry Plain have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Ushers Road State Forest, trails eventually "transition into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall," which makes access challenging for RVs.
**Campfire restrictions: Regulations vary significantly between sites. Seth K. notes about one location, "They don't allow fires at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive."
**Alternative accommodations: Consider cabins when RV access is limited. Esther L. describes Chester Railway Station as "Very clean and comfortable," offering an alternative to traditional RV camping in the area.
