182 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The area around Chester, New York includes access to various types of camping and campgrounds within a short drive. Harriman State Park, located southeast of Chester, offers several camping options including Beaver Pond Campground with tent and RV sites, and Sebago Cabin Camp for those seeking more shelter. Black Bear RV Park in nearby Florida, NY provides year-round camping with 74 sites for both tents and RVs. Winding Hills Park in Montgomery offers seasonal camping from May to October. The region also features specialty accommodations like the Peace and Carrots Farm Bluebird Tiny Home and Jellystone Park in Gardiner with glamping options including cabins and yurts. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Chester to find the right mix of amenities and natural settings.
"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," noted one visitor about Fahnestock State Park. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, though Black Bear RV Park remains open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend camping during summer months when New York City residents seek outdoor escapes. Many campgrounds require advance booking through reservation systems. Bear activity is common throughout the region, particularly in Harriman State Park, where proper food storage is essential. Campers should be prepared for varying terrain, from level platforms at some sites to more rugged, natural settings at others. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly in the valleys between hills.
Several visitors mentioned the proximity to water as a highlight of camping in this region. Beaver Pond Campground provides access to Welch Lake with swimming and fishing opportunities. Winding Hills Park earned high ratings (4.6/5) from campers appreciating its combination of natural setting and basic amenities. Campers report mixed experiences with privacy between sites, with some noting that weekends bring higher noise levels. "Sites are large and spread out, and we felt like we had a good amount of privacy," wrote one camper about High Point State Park. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer, various birds, and occasionally bears noted in reviews. The region's location approximately an hour from New York City makes it particularly popular for weekend getaways, resulting in more crowded conditions Friday through Sunday, while midweek visitors often find more solitude.
"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."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability"Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included."
from $82 - $95 / night
Check Availability"We have stayed here multiple times since it’s so close to home. Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season; Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day."
"The trails to walk on are perfect to get out of the campsite for a few hours. There are no spots with sewer hookup but they have a dumping area."
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."
"We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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 campground at High Point State Park has 50 spacious tent sites, many with direct lake access, located in a wooded area surrounding Saw Mill Lake."
from $5 - $20 / night
Check Availability"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever lol highly recommend and can't do so enough 👍🏽"
"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."
from $130 / night
Check Availability"In September my Girlfriend (who has never been camping) and I made the trip to New York."
from $90 / night
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GuideMade a reservation (site44) since I arrived as the sun had set. Office registration was open until 8. Staff was neither friendly nor unfriendly. Bathroom was dated but fine and a short walk from my site. CG was emptier being a Tuesday night in mid-October, so was plenty of space.
Great trail following the Hudson River. Beautiful fall colors.
ScoutNice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
RangerI'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
ScoutPast reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
GuideDefinitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
GuideBooked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
GuideWe were in campsite 20 with lots of room. The first night we were there we were near very loud groups which was difficult to sleep through. The next night everyone cleared out and we had a peaceful crowd. Bathrooms are nice, the park has great hiking trails and a nice day use area! There is also an area where we can rent canoes. I would definitely return, just wish there was a little more crowd control.
TravelerThis area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
RangerWe camped here in our pop up for our Anniversary in November. We were impressed with the cleanliness and available amenities for the time of year we were camping in! Close proximity to DWG and PA AND NJ attractions.
Camping spots near Chester, New York offer a mixture of forested terrain and lakeside settings within the Hudson Valley region. Situated about 60 miles northwest of New York City, the area maintains cooler temperatures than the metropolitan region, with summer highs typically 5-10 degrees lower than the city. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 400-1,300 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the seasons.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Round Pond Recreation Area maintains a stocked lake with opportunities for shore fishing. "The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We were looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future," notes Jacey H., who mentioned the well-maintained fishing areas at this military-only campground.
Winter camping options: Unlike most seasonal campgrounds, Black Bear RV Park remains open year-round for those seeking off-season accommodations. "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," reports Gabbie Y.
Platform tent camping: Several campgrounds feature elevated platforms for tent setup, including Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park. According to Ethan K., "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay."
Harriman State Park trails: The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provides access to numerous trails within the 47,000+ acre park. "Been here a dozen times! Great hiking for all abilities. Free camping at stone shelters. Beautiful lakes all over the place," writes Meredith C., highlighting the trail network accessible from the center.
Secluded wooded sites: Winding Hills Park offers heavily wooded campsites that provide natural separation. Amanda B. notes, "It's deep in the woods of the park so there is good shade which is nice on the hotter days. 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."
Midweek solitude: Camping during non-peak times provides a completely different experience at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. One camper describes, "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. Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Cell service variations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. While some sites report strong signals, Laura M. observed at Winding Hills Park, "Good cell reception for Verizon and ATT," while others like Black Bear Campground may have spotty service. Campers should check with specific campgrounds before arrival if connectivity is important.
Farm-based accommodations: Peace and Carrots Farm Bluebird Tiny Home offers a unique camping experience on an active produce farm. Anthony S. explains, "This site was a small tiny home located on an active produce farm. The host was fantastic and catered to all of our needs giving us some firewood, a tour of her farm, and some fresh produce she picked that morning."
Fire restrictions vary: Not all campgrounds allow open fires or have the same regulations. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center has specific fire rules. "Campfires are restricted to certain areas and you have to share," reports Thomas M., noting the importance of checking fire policies before arrival.
Water availability concerns: Several campgrounds have limited or seasonal water access. At High Point State Park, campers report, "No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites."
Tent platform logistics: At High Point State Park Campground, many sites feature elevated platforms for tents. One camper warns about misleading photos: "The photos did not convey the actual steepness of this site!! The gravel driveway is on a 30-40 degree incline. The tent was too long for the 12'x10' platform, so we had to set it up on the flattest part and hope not to roll down the hill in the night."
Reservation systems: Campgrounds vary widely in their booking procedures. Winding Hills Park doesn't take advance reservations except for holidays. "Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season; Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. When not going on a holiday it is first come first serve spots which is good if you just need to spend one night here," explains Amanda B.
Group-friendly layouts: Jellystone Park Gardiner caters specifically to families with younger children. Stephanie H. shares, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there." The campground offers scheduled activities throughout the season.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment, but accessibility varies. At Winding Hills Park, "The playground has a volleyball net and other Normal playground equipment that I saw driving past it," notes Amanda B., though she recommends sites further from the playground area for those seeking quiet.
Swimming options: Sebago Cabin Camp offers lake access, but campers recommend nearby alternatives. "Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. Don't expect to swim on site- go to Lake Welch near by!" suggests Katharine T., highlighting the importance of researching swimming access when booking.
Kid-friendly bathroom facilities: Bathroom cleanliness and accessibility matter for families. At Winding Hills Park, "The bathrooms are kept very clean as well," reports Valen K., while other campgrounds have more mixed reviews about facility cleanliness and availability.
Limited full hookup sites: Sebago Cabin Camp primarily focuses on cabin accommodations rather than RV sites. "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge," explains Sara P., noting that RVers should look elsewhere.
Dumping stations: Not all campgrounds with RV sites include sanitary dump stations. At Black Bear RV Park, Dave S. notes, "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs."
Winter RV options: Black Bear RV Park provides year-round options for RVers. "At least we had a place to park for the night, and power, but unfortunately it was very overpriced for what we got," reports one winter camper, indicating that while open, services may be limited in off-season.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. High Point State Park campers note that while the park allows RVs, "the 'trailer' sites aren't level," creating challenges for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Chester, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Chester, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 182 campgrounds and RV parks near Chester, NY and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Chester, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chester, NY is Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 41 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chester, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Chester, NY.
What parks are near Chester, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Chester, NY that allow camping, notably Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River.
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